Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Italian defense and aerospace giant Leonardo for the joint development of unmanned aerial technologies, marking a major step in European defense cooperation.
The agreement, signed at Leonardo’s headquarters in Rome on Thursday, brings together Baykar Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar, and Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani. The collaboration will involve joint production in both Turkey and Italy, targeting the rapidly expanding European unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, which is projected to reach $100 billion over the next decade.
Strengthening European Defense Amid Growing Security Concerns
The deal comes at a time of heightened security concerns in Europe, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine. This has intensified efforts by European leaders to bolster their own defense industries and reduce reliance on U.S. support.
Cingolani called the agreement a “significant achievement”, emphasizing its role in advancing the continent’s unmanned defense systems, artificial intelligence, and sixth-generation fighter technologies.
“The defense industry is facing unprecedented challenges, including unmanned systems, AI, cybersecurity, and next-generation fighter jets. In this context, technological cooperation is both necessary and urgent to accelerate progress and ensure global security,” Cingolani stated.
Leonardo, a key player in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) alongside Britain’s BAE Systems and Japan’s JAIEC, sees the partnership with Baykar as a way to enhance European self-sufficiency in UAV technology.
Baykar Expands Footprint in Europe
For Baykar, this collaboration reinforces its growing influence in European defense markets. The company, widely known for its Bayraktar TB2 drones, has already exported UAVs to more than 30 countries.
In December, Baykar acquired the aerospace division of Piaggio, the Italian motor vehicle manufacturer, in a move seen as a strategic effort to bypass European import restrictions on Turkish defense products. The company also announced plans to expand employment at Piaggio’s Italian facilities, further integrating itself into the European defense supply chain.
Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kaçır welcomed the partnership, highlighting its potential to make the European defense industry more self-reliant.
“Turkey and Italy are two key production powers in Europe and the Mediterranean. The cooperation between Baykar and Leonardo in UAV technologies will make a critical contribution to Europe’s defense industry’s self-sufficiency,” Kaçır wrote in a post on X.
Baykar’s Rapid Global Rise
Baykar ranks among Turkey’s top 10 exporters across all industries, with 90 percent of its revenue coming from exports. According to the Center for a New American Security, Turkey accounts for 65 percent of global UAV exports, with Baykar responsible for 60 percent of Turkey’s share.
The company’s close ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have also played a role in its expansion. Erdoğan has personally promoted Baykar drones during state visits, leading to multi-million-dollar defense agreements with foreign governments.
With its new partnership with Leonardo, Baykar is poised to further solidify its presence in the European UAV market, contributing to a shifting defense landscape in the region.
