Leonardo and Baykar launch LBA Systems joint venture to drive unmanned aerial innovation

LBA Systems will be legally and operationally based in Italy, aiming to become a major player in unmanned technologies. The new company will cover the full UAS lifecycle, including design, development, production, and maintenance.

“Today we sign a new strategic international alliance, establishing a key player in the field of unmanned technologies,” said Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo. “Integrating Leonardo’s experience in certification and integrated multi-domain technologies with Baykar’s world-class unmanned platforms can truly provide a meaningful boost in seizing opportunities both across Europe and on the global stage.”

Cingolani added, “We are moving forward with the implementation of our Industrial Plan, focusing on internationalization to make Leonardo a major player for global security.” This move is seen as a core step in enhancing Leonardo’s global presence in the defence sector.

Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman and CTO of Baykar Technologies, commented, “At Baykar, we have always believed that the future of aerospace lies in bold ideas and boundary-breaking innovation.” He continued, “Together, we are building a new generation of unmanned systems that are not only intelligent and mission-ready but designed with ethics and interoperability at their core.”

Baykar will contribute its advanced capabilities in designing and developing unmanned platforms across all UAS segments. Leonardo will supply high-end electronic systems, payloads, and expertise in Manned-Unmanned Teaming, swarming technologies, and system certification.

Through LBA Systems, both companies aim to pursue commercial opportunities across European and international defence markets. They will also explore further collaboration, including commercial projects and joint initiatives within multi-domain digital ecosystems.

Leonardo will involve several of its Italian sites in the joint venture: Ronchi dei Legionari as a centre of excellence in unmanned systems, Turin for engineering and certification, Rome Tiburtina for multi-domain technology development, and Grottaglie for advanced composite production.