The joint venture, to be based in Italy, will cover the design, development, production, and maintenance of UAS. It will also ensure interoperability within multi-domain defence ecosystems, integrating artificial intelligence, electronic systems, and advanced command and control capabilities.
Baykar, a global leader in armed drone technology, will contribute its proven unmanned platforms, which have gained operational success worldwide. Leonardo will provide its knowledge in mission systems, payload integration, certification, and AI-driven defence technologies.
The European unmanned aerial market is expected to reach $100 billion over the next decade, driven by demand for unmanned fighters, armed surveillance drones, and deep strike capabilities. This partnership positions both companies to capitalise on growing defence sector opportunities across Europe and beyond.
Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, described the agreement as a major step in defence innovation, addressing the challenges of AI, cybersecurity, and next-generation aerial combat. Baykar’s Chairman, Selçuk Bayraktar, highlighted the collaboration as a key milestone in advancing AI-driven unmanned air superiority.
The Joint Venture will operate across multiple Leonardo sites in Italy, including facilities in Ronchi dei Legionari, Turin, Rome Tiburtina, and Nerviano, leveraging expertise in aerospace, AI, and space-related technologies. This partnership is expected to enhance Europe’s technological capabilities in unmanned defence systems.
