Türkiye, Italy join forces to develop next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles

Türkiye's leading drone maker Baykar and Italian aerospace giant Leonardo have announced a landmark partnership to create a joint defence ecosystem aimed at developing the future of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This collaboration is set to enhance both companies' capabilities in aerospace warfare technologies.

In a press conference in Rome following the signing of the partnership agreement, Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar and Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani shared their insights into the collaboration, with Bayraktar explaining the strategic significance of the partnership.

“Baykar is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We are the leading organization globally, generating over 90% of our revenue from exports, supplying UAVs to 36 countries. Leonardo, with its vast infrastructure in the defence industry, including radar systems, payloads, sensors, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, will play a critical role in this partnership,” Bayraktar said in response to the question from Turkish media, per Caliber.Az.

Bayraktar emphasized that the collaboration would significantly enhance both companies' ability to shape the future of combat aviation. He also noted that the partnership would form a comprehensive defence ecosystem, combining both parties’ strengths to push the boundaries of technological innovation.

“We have already integrated Leonardo’s radars into our existing systems,” Bayraktar continued. “For the past several months, we’ve been intensively exploring ways to collaborate. Today, we’ve signed a letter of goodwill to formalize this partnership.”

Regarding the scope of the collaboration, Bayraktar mentioned that it would cover the development of a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles and associated systems, including lightweight, intelligent platforms. He also highlighted the focus on KIZILELMA, an unmanned combat aircraft designed to represent the future of warfare.

Bayraktar elaborated on the key platforms involved in the partnership, saying, “The AKINCI UAV is a major part of this collaboration, but it’s not limited to just that. We are also working together on platforms like the Bayraktar TB3, Bayraktar TB2, and KIZILELMA. Additionally, there will be cooperation on light platforms, such as mini smart cruise missiles and various versions of the Kemankeş and other smart platforms.”

The partnership between Türkiye and Italy is not just a defence cooperation, Bayraktar emphasized. It represents a broader high-tech alliance aimed at driving technological innovation on a global scale. “It’s not only about defence; this collaboration embodies the national technology movement we’re pushing forward with millions of young people. Our goal is to spread high technology globally so that anyone who needs it can develop it,” he explained.

Bayraktar also discussed potential manufacturing locations for the joint defence projects. “We’ve acquired Piaggio Aerospace in Italy, which has a significant manufacturing infrastructure. This could become a key production centre for the collaboration. We’re currently evaluating options. Leonardo has over 100 facilities worldwide, and Baykar’s facilities are more concentrated, mainly in campuses located in both Italy and Türkiye,” he added.

Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, expressed excitement over the potential of the partnership, particularly in advancing UAV technologies. “We expect significant advancements in electronics, sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and algorithm integration for the UAVs produced by Baykar. This collaboration will enable us to develop even more sophisticated UAVs, capable of performing a wide range of missions. There is a growing demand for UAVs in Europe, and this partnership presents a crucial opportunity to meet that demand by accelerating production for the European defence sector,” Cingolani said.

The joint initiative between Baykar and Leonardo is set to play a pivotal role in the evolution of unmanned aerial technology, positioning both companies at the forefront of aerospace innovation in the defence industry.

By Tamilla Hasanova