In a landmark move set to redefine the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) landscape, Italy’s Leonardo and Turkish drone pioneer Baykar announced a 50-50 joint venture during a press conference at the Foreign Press Association in Rome on March 6, 2025. The partnership aims to combine Baykar’s cutting-edge drone platforms with Leonardo’s expertise in mission systems, payload integration, and aerospace certification, positioning the alliance to capture a significant share of Europe’s projected €100 billion drone market over the next decade.
The joint venture, headquartered in Italy, will focus on the design, development, production, and maintenance of advanced UAS, including loyal wingman drones, armed reconnaissance systems, deep-strike UAVs, and loitering munitions. Key Italian facilities in Ronchi dei Legionari (a UAV specialist hub), Torino (production), Rome Tiburtina (multi-domain technology integration), and Nerviano (space-related solutions) will spearhead operations. Baykar’s battle-tested platforms, such as the AKINCI and KIZILELMA, will integrate Leonardo’s sensors, radars, and electronic warfare systems, enhancing interoperability for NATO and allied forces.
The collaboration, described by Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani as the fruit of “five months of intense work,” targets rapid deployment. Initial technology integration is slated for completion within six months, with the first AKINCI drone equipped with Leonardo payloads expected to roll out within a year. This timeline underscores both companies’ ambition to address Europe’s urgent demand for advanced unmanned capabilities amid shifting global security dynamics.
The joint venture gains further momentum from Baykar’s recent acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace, finalized in December 2024. Approved by the Italian government, this move not only secures Baykar’s industrial foothold in Europe but also opens avenues for leveraging Piaggio’s manufacturing expertise. Piaggio’s facilities, renowned for the P-180 AVANTI turboprop, could support drone assembly alongside Leonardo’s infrastructure, streamlining production and certification for European markets. Baykar has committed to maintaining Piaggio’s legacy in aircraft manufacturing while expanding its role in drone development.
As already documented by FW MAG, the alliance positions itself as a counterbalance to US and Israeli dominance in the global drone sector. By merging Baykar’s cost-effective, operationally proven platforms with Leonardo’s certification prowess and EU market access, the venture aims to cater to both European militaries and international clients. Notably, the partnership extends into space technologies, hinting at future cross-domain innovations.
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