An agreement was signed in unmanned technologies between Baykar and the Italian defense company Leonardo. Evaluating the agreement signed with Leonardo in Rome, Baykar Chairman of the Board Bayraktar stated, “With the synergy to be created by Baykar and Leonardo, the ability to develop future aviation battles in a sense becomes entirely established. At the same time, a common defense ecosystem also emerges.”

Baykar Chairman of the Board Selçuk Bayraktar talked about the expectations regarding the agreement, emphasizing the capabilities for developing the future of aviation battles with the synergy between Baykar and Leonardo. He mentioned, “This collaboration covers the development of common platforms, complementary capabilities, especially focusing on unmanned aerial vehicles and related systems in Europe. In addition, work will be conducted regarding the unmanned combat aircraft, KIZILELMA, representing the future combat of light platforms called light intelligent platforms, including smart mini cruise missiles and various variants of Kemankeş, along with the development of future technologies related to artificial intelligence.”

The collaboration is not limited to AKINCI only
Responding to whether the main element in the collaboration with the Italians is Baykar’s “Akıncı” UAV, Bayraktar noted, “Of course, Akıncı is particularly prominent at first, but not limited to it only. Collaboration will be present on all platforms such as Bayraktar TB3, Bayraktar, TB2 and KIZILELMA will also be part of this collaboration alongside Baykar’s light platforms, such as mini smart cruise missiles. There will also be cooperation on different lightweight smart platforms from Kemankeş’ different variants.”

As the world encounters geopolitical shifts, Bayraktar emphasized the importance of the defense cooperation between Baykar and a significant European defense industry company. He highlighted that this would strengthen their relations and contribute to balance worldwide. Baykar aims to advance the technology field as a global player, not limited to defense collaboration. Bayraktar expressed their goal to spread high technology globally and emphasized this collaboration as a significant step towards it.

Moreover, the collaboration between Baykar and Leonardo includes the joint production in Turkey and Italy._winner of the global UAV export market, Baykar continued its success on a global scale in 2024. It generated over 90% of its revenue from exports and achieved a $1.8 billion export turnover. Baykar is developing a new generation of combat aircraft within the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) in collaboration with Leonardo, BAE Systems, and JAIEC. Baykar’s acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace signifies its intention to expand employment at the Italian facilities.

The collaboration between Baykar and Leonardo marks a milestone in European defense technology ecosystem, highlighting Baykar as a world leader in UAV exports and leading the path to the future of cutting-edge technologies.

Leonardo’s CEO Cingolani and Baykar’s Chairman of the Board Bayraktar and General Manager Haluk Bayraktar jointly created essential milestones in UAV technologies with the signed agreement in Rome. Cingolani emphasized the significance of the collaboration, anticipating an advanced partnership over the next five years.

Baykar Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar expressed the enchanting synergy between the companies and their complementary characteristics that fuel the creation of top-tier systems. Both companies aim to establish the best systems together and reiterated their gratitude for the mutual collaboration, expressing joy to embark on this journey together.

Haluk Bayraktar, Baykar’s General Manager, underlined that this collaboration in UAV technology with Leonardo marks the most significant technology alliance in Europe, heralding a new era in unmanned systems and space exploration. Engaging in advanced technologies, the collaboration between Baykar and Leonardo foresees a prolific advancement in the realm of high-tech innovations.