A partnership agreement on unmanned technologies was signed between Baykar and the Italian defense company Leonardo. The President of Baykar, Bayraktar, stated that “Through the synergy of Baykar and Leonardo, the ability to enhance future aviation combat in every sense has been developed. At the same time, a joint defense ecosystem has been created.”

Selçuk Bayraktar, President of Baykar, evaluated the agreement signed with the European defense industry giant Leonardo in Rome. Asked about the expectations regarding the agreement, Bayraktar said, “Baykar is the world’s largest developer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is a world leader institution that exports UAVs to 36 countries and earns more than ninety percent of its income from exports. Leonardo also has a major infrastructure to develop future technologies related to artificial intelligence ranging from other areas of defense industry to unmanned systems that are in a sense a force multiplier, its sensors, including radars, and beneficial loads. Now, with the synergy that will be created between Baykar and Leonardo, the ability to completely enhance the future of aviation combat is established. Additionally, a joint defense ecosystem has also been formed.” He stated. Leonardo’s radars are already integrated into the systems they use, according to Bayraktar, “But for the past four or five months, intensive work has been ongoing on how we could cooperate. As of today, a letter of intent has been signed.” He said. Regarding the cooperation’s goals, Bayraktar said, “Of course, the cooperation includes developing a common platform and integrating complementary capabilities, especially in Europe, for unmanned aerial vehicles and related systems, as well as developing light platforms, which we call light intelligent platforms and, of course, working on unmanned combat aircraft, KIZILELMA, which represents the future battle.”

COOPERATION IS NOT LIMITED TO AKINCI. In response to the question of whether the main element of cooperation with the Italians is Baykar’s “Akıncı” UAV, Bayraktar said, “Of course, Akıncı is particularly prominent at first sight, but not limited to it alone. Such as Bayraktar TB3, Bayraktar, TB2, all platforms are involved in the cooperation. KIZILELMA will also be in this cooperation and in addition, there will be cooperation from mini smart cruise missiles, Kemankeş’s different variants to other light intelligent platforms.” Recently, there have been some divisions in the Western world, asked about Baykar’s collaboration with a major European defense company, Bayraktar said, “Of course, the geostrategic tectonic shift faced by the world is upsetting the balances all over the world. Close defense cooperation that we will carry out with Europe will contribute to the world experiencing this rift more balanced. Turkey has long been the largest trading partner with Europe, but such cooperation in the defense
area will strengthen our relations. Eastern Europe preferred Bayraktar TB2, 6 NATO countries made this choice. Now, with this alliance, we will be spread across all of Europe.” He stated. Selçuk Bayraktar stated that this cooperation between Turkey and Italy will form an important cornerstone, continuing, “I believe that our countries’ collaboration in other areas of technology is also very important. Let’s not just see this as defense cooperation. Actually, this is a high-tech alliance that creates the most value in the world and in a way that drives the whole world, and transforms our lives, the high technological innovation. The goal of the steps we are trying to take with millions of our youth is actually this. In a sense, spreading high technology around the world in a way that everyone can develop it. In that sense, this alliance should also be considered as the alliance of two technology institutes.” Selçuk Bayraktar, regarding the locations of their production centers, said, “Of course, the decisions are made. As you know, we acquired Piaggio Aerospace in Italy. There is a serious production infrastructure there. That place could also be a production center. We are currently evaluating. In recent days, we visited Leonardo’s facilities. It has more than 100 facilities just in Italy and spread worldwide. Our facilities are more concentrated; as campuses, our facilities. There will be in both Turkey and Italy.”

“We AIM TO DEPLOY TB3 FROM OUR SHORT-RUNWAY SHIP TCG ANADOLU”
Addressing the question of whether Italy’s Navy recently commissioned the multi-role amphibious ship Trieste, which can take off and land from short runway ships, with the Bayraktar TB3 UAV interested in taking off and landing from short-runway ships, Bayraktar said, “I think he will be interested. Because Bayraktar TB3 became the first platform in the world to take off and land from short-runway ships. When it goes into action, it will be a significant force multiplier. As of this year, we aim to start deploying TB3 from our short-runway ship TCG Anadolu. The work is ongoing now, and mass production is also continuing. The land version is already coming off the production line. On the other hand, we had already started the production variant of the marine version. We aim to start operations within this year.” He said. Recallings recent reports in the press about the Italian army’s acquisition of Baykar’s UAVs, Selçuk Bayraktar responded, “Since there has not been an official request made to us yet, I cannot say anything.”

CINGOLANI: IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO ACCELERATE THE SUPPLY IN THE EUROPEAN DEFENSE AREA
Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, responded to the question of what to expect from this partnership for the European market by saying, “We expect much more electronics, sensor technology, and especially artificial intelligence and algorithm integration from Baykar for the UAVs they produce. These developments will enable the production of much more advanced UAVs. Much more advanced, being able to perform different tasks, UAVs of different sizes, small, large, and very large, will be developed. The initiation of this process as soon as possible is critically important because there is a very high demand for UAVs across Europe, but the supply is insufficient. This collaboration may be an important opportunity to accelerate the supply in the European defense sector.” LEONARDO AND BAYKAR’S PARTNERSHIP “THE LARGEST TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE IN EUROPE”
Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, and the President of Baykar, Selçuk Bayraktar, and the Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar signed a partnership agreement on unmanned technologies at Leonardo’s headquarters in Rome. In his statement here, Cingolani said, “Today is a very important day. We are signing a memorandum of understanding with Baykar. We have identified important cornerstones with our colleagues from Baykar.” He stated. Cingolani says, “We are going through a complex period, and today’s agreement is the result of intense work in the last 5 months.” he said. Cingoloni expressed that the agreement lasts for 5 years but foresees a deepening cooperation, saying, “This is a great result.”

Cingolani said he was very impressed with his visit to Baykar’s facilities in Istanbul, mentioning that Baykar has a very wide UAV product family. SELÇUK BAYRAKTAR: THE SYNERGY IS IMPECCABLE
Selçuk Bayraktar also stated, “We have been having