Defence giant Leonardo and Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar have signed an agreement to develop advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paves the way for a joint venture based in Italy, focusing on design, development, production, and maintenance of military drones. The partnership combines Baykar’s experience in building battle-proven drones with Leonardo’s expertise in mission systems, payloads, and aerospace certification.
The European drone market is expected to be worth $100 billion over the next decade, covering unmanned fighters, armed surveillance drones, and deep strike drones—areas where both companies see opportunities for growth.
The deal is being positioned as a major step in strengthening Europe’s defence technology base. Baykar, best known for its TB2 and Akinci drones, has gained international recognition for its unmanned platforms, while Leonardo specialises in C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), artificial intelligence, and multi-domain integration.
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani highlighted the urgency of developing European defence capabilities:
“With Baykar, we are creating a new leader in unmanned technologies, which will play an increasingly central role in the future of defence. The industry is facing huge challenges—unmanned systems, AI, sixth-generation fighters, cybersecurity, and space. Working together is not just an opportunity but a necessity.”
Baykar’s Chairman and CTO Selçuk Bayraktar emphasised the role of AI in the future of warfare, stating:
“Baykar has always focused on pushing the boundaries of innovation in unmanned aviation. Leonardo’s expertise in C4I systems and AI technology makes this partnership even more powerful. By combining our strengths, we’ll create next-generation solutions that will define the future of unmanned aerial systems.”
A Focus on Europe—but with Global Ambitions
The new joint venture will be headquartered in Italy, with Leonardo confirming that key production and development sites will include:
- Ronchi dei Legionari (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): A hub for unmanned systems.
- Torino (Piedmont) & Roma Tiburtina: Production and development of multi-domain technologies.
- Nerviano (Lombardy): Joint projects in the space sector.
Although the focus is on developing drones for European defence, the companies have also said they will pursue international opportunities.
This deal comes at a time when European nations are looking to boost their own defence industries, reducing reliance on US and Israeli-made drones while keeping up with rapid advances in AI-driven warfare. For now, Leonardo and Baykar are betting big on the future of military drones, positioning themselves at the forefront of next-generation AI-driven air combat technology.
We should have looked to do that in this country. For all that some people disagree with Erdogen, Baykar are producing drones like the Kizilelma that we could use here and contribute to.
We haven’t had government buy-in to do such a thing, look at Taranis and Mantis, they looked very promising and then just vanished, I am sure they took key learning points, but what’s happened since?
I think we’re going to regret the decisions to not follow through with those programmes and develop production drones.
Same with BAE Replica; if we’d gone ahead with that we’d have our own stealth strike aircraft now and either wouldn’t need F-35B, or at least only for the Royal Navy.
Mantis not being selected was a disaster. Fury/Herti worked. No reason that Mantis wouldn’t have.
Hopefully Whitehall is seeing sense now. Yes BAE needed a slap, but they seem to have sorted themselves out in recent years….and the slaps from MoD have all backfired (Ajax, WCSP and Mantis)…
Turkey under the radical Islamic government of Erdogan is a big no no IMO, I wouldn’t share anything with them anything soon and Bayraktar TB2 is overrated, it disappeared from Ukraine very fast if you remember
It’s people with the mentality like you that blind walked Britain and Europe into the mess they are in now. The TB2 stopped the invasion of Putin of Kiev 🙄 After that the Russians lost steam ..years after years they started to get better at tackling it …but it did do the damage it did and it’s still effective for intelligence and attacking tanks . Now a newer version that is faster and with longer reach satalite controlled they developed. The Russians never faced other Turkish drones like Akinci with long range . TB2 is like entry level of their drones industry since then many much more platforms they have developed. It’s about R&D
The Russian were not prepared for drones warfare at the beginning, that is correct, the same way the Armenian army was not ready in the conflict with Azerbaijan, once the Russian adapted the TB2 was never seen again, Turkey is selling its drones to 3rd world countries mostly and they are low quality, the newer more “advanced” ones are getting mostly PR in social media and that is about it, you want to transfer technology to Erdogan son-in-law that owns Baykar? Good luck… also take into account the closer you get to Turkey the further you get from Greece, current frustration from the US should not dictate irrational thinking
To be honest we have to get over the old order..Europe is probably going to need to ally with anyone that shares and interest with us and Turkey does still share interests..they also control access to the Black Sea and hate Russias guts…so yes we hold hands with Turkey because make no mistake the US is selling Europe down the river and will either use us for wealth extraction or simply abandon us.
Historically the British Empire kept the Ottoman empire alive for many years to block the Russian empire… but Turkey under Erdogan is like Qatar, playing both sides and is effected by religious doctrines of the Muslim brotherhood (Google it), I would stay away,… there are plenty of other better options
They are in a strategic place, we can’t replace that reality as much as I wish we could. They also have mass in a very large population that we need in any conflict with Russia if only to keep the southern flank safe and Russian forces occupied. Remember there is Azerbaijan too who though equally unpleasant is a vital Country and very much influenced by Turkey. Turkey is in NATO because Stalin tried to force it to surrender territory and give over much control of the Bosporus so yes it plays its hand slyly and can’t be fully trusted but then so can’t the US now. And I suspect that reality has shaken Erdogan somewhat and knowing he needs Europe to ensure Turkeys independence be it actual or implicit from Russia you can pretty well be certain that when it comes to it Turkey will be there or it will be sowing its own demise. We don’t have to be bosom buddies but play it smart and both sides can benefit. You do not want them as an enemy that’s for sure and similar thoughts are consistent with the likes of Saudi Arabia the Gulf States, Pakistan and India. We aren’t in a position to simply shun all those we don’t like, the level of rapprochement and cooperation is what needs to be discussed.
I doubt much IP is being transferred by the way it’s what restricted our design and engine cooperation with Turkey on their 5th Gen fighter and why it seems that Italy here is basing the company in Italy and each partner has fundamentally different specialisations that don’t overlap substantially just combine in the final product it seems, unlike the RR/Turkey engine negotiations and no doubt the products are mostly for worldwide customers who want European innards not Turkey to widen the appeal.
They do make good drones.
Eurodrone i think is dead or very very stalled.
The next best thing is the AAROK MALE from Turgis & Gaillard
For years I was getting attacked on here when I mentioned Turkish defence industry and drones … but drones are a fraction of it . They produce land based system from missiles, tanks, armoured vehicles, cruise and ballistic missiles. Naval platforms Submarines , Corvettes Frigates and soon destroyers and a fully fletched aircraft carrier. Soon they will start manufacturing armoured vehicles for the UK army in the UK with 2 or models .
Their 5th generation jet Kaan a air superiority fighter jet may end up outperforming the much hyped F35 which the Americans ma end up dropping under Musk and Trump . Besides their drone tech is way more developed than that of Europe if we look at Kizilelma and Anka 3 and Akinci especially how they all integrated it to their air force and navy . You have aerial drones armed with anti ship missiles working with naval drones armed with anti ship missiles which some variants track submarines too … So their navy from safe distance can engage another navy or harass them . They are working on unmanned and manned submarines too. They have huge aerial and land based missiles from cruise and ballistic missiles to hypersonic missiles soon .
Europe can’t wait for a decade or more to develop and manufacture systems if serious about defending Europe. The UK in particular could benefit from the naval platforms to beef up the navy with the stealth drone Kizilelma and possibly Anka 3. It could benefit from the autonomous fast boats to track submarines and engage enemy ships armed with anti ship missiles multiplying each frigate and destroyer capabilities and reach . Imagine one frigate with 2 such armed boats that are able to reach hundreds of km collecting intelligence but making enemy fleets nervous as they are able attack them while British frigate is beyond their missiles reach .
Many British projects over the years got cancelled and prices ballooning and capabilities being reduced . The above is one option to increase capabilities fast and do industrial partnerships like Italians are doing too .
James I tend to agree with you, a bit to much dismissive attitude towards the Turks reminiscent of the pre war writing off of Japan that blew up in our faces. We do well to keep them on our side even the concern about them fighting with Europe would terrorise Putin as he could very easily lose a lot of his southern bulwark client States who don’t really want to be part of his greater Russia, Turkey could seriously disrupt his control there even during this war there has been ructions in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan the main problem being their distrust of other client states in their actions and the hardline control from client leaders festering their own nest. We should certainly consider their weaponry and cooperation even if it’s one step distant. The Kaan has great promise just presently held back by its 4th Gen engines and some systems but will almost certainly be more than a match for Russian aircraft if it can sort those problems out. May well have been class leading had they properly sorted out true input from Bae and RR.
James, thank you for this great perspective and without the old distorted prejudices against the Turks. Modern thinking in this ever changing geopolitical era will shape the new world order that is just around the corner.
Great article and commentary about a fast evolving technology. It strikes me that our traditional military procurement systems are ill suited to harnessing the drone revolution.