Turkish UAV manufacturer Baykar and Italian defence company Leonardo are preparing for a joint production. According to the Financial Times, the two companies will sign an agreement next week. It is stated that Baykar and Leonardo will be able to develop a high-tech UAV together.

Turkey’s UAV manufacturer Baykar is reportedly close to an agreement with the Italian defence group Leonardo on a production partnership. According to a report in the Financial Times, the two companies have initiated discussions for a joint venture that could significantly enhance Europe’s drone production capacity. A memorandum shaping the venture will be signed next week.

The details of the Italian-Turkish partnership are not yet clear, as informed by sources familiar with the negotiations.

HIGH-TECH UAV POSSIBLE The merging of Leonardo’s technology with Baykar’s platforms could lead to the development of a high-tech unmanned aerial vehicle. Baykar, which is among the world’s leading companies in artificial intelligence-supported drone production, had achieved a $1.8 billion export in 2023. Being the largest company in the global UAV export market, Baykar continued its success on a global scale in 2024, generating 90% of its revenues from exports and achieving a $1.8 billion export.

DEVELOPING NEXT-GENERATION COMBAT AIRCRAFT Leonardo is involved in the development of a next-generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). The project also involves British BAE Systems and Japanese JAIEC. Baykar had acquired the Italian aircraft giant Piaggio Aerospace some time ago. The company had also expressed its intention to expand the employment at Piaggio’s Italian facilities.