Italy allocates €2.4 billion for new drone development programme PHOTO / VIDEO

Italy’s Ministry of Defence has approved €2.4 billion in funding for a new Air Force drone development initiative under the Multi-Year Planning Document (DPP) for 2025–2027.

The programme aims to expand Italy’s fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through collaboration between Italian aerospace giant Leonardo and Türkiye’s Baykar, Caliber.Az reports per Türkiye's defence news platform.

İtalya, 2025-2027 dönemini kapsayan Çok Yıllı Program Belgesi (DPP) kapsamında İHA programına 2,4 milyar € bütçe ayırdı.

Bu programın, Leonardo ve Baykar ortaklığıyla geliştirilecek silahlı İHA modellerini de kapsayabileceği konuşuluyor.

Öne çıkan noktalar:

Önceki DPP… pic.twitter.com/0RAvT0rKiE

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) October 12, 2025

The funding marks a substantial increase from the previous DPP period, when only €71 million had been allocated. Under the new plan, €242 million is earmarked for 2025, followed by €154 million in 2026 and €276 million in 2027.

Further funding is expected to reach €740.4 million for the 2028–2030 period, with an additional €1 billion planned between 2031 and 2036.

Given the scale of the investment, the project will involve the acquisition and development of several drone types, including new models designed by LBA Systems – a joint venture established by Leonardo and Baykar under the name Leonardo Baykar Aerospace.

Earlier this year, a high-level Italian defence delegation — including Deputy Defence Minister Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello, and Deputy Navy Commander Vice Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto — visited Baykar’s facilities in Tekirdağ and Istanbul to discuss the partnership’s progress.

By Aghakazim Guliyev