In a deal that shakes up the balance of the aerospace and defence industry, Leonardo has chosen the Turkish giant Baykar Technologies as a strategic partner for the development of next-generation war drones. An industrial alliance that promises to redefine the sector's technological assets and open up new scenarios for the European market.
Baykar, a company that symbolises Turkish innovation, is firmly linked to the political leadership in Ankara: its president and chief technology officer is Selçuk Bayraktarprominent engineer and son-in-law of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhile the role of managing director is held by his brother Haluk. Their leadership has turned Baykar into a global benchmark for the production of combat drones, known for their effectiveness on modern battlefields.
A visit full of political and industrial significance
To underline the importance of the partnership, the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, visited the Baykar plant in Istanbul, just three weeks after the preliminary agreement - authorised by Mimit - for the acquisition of the assets of Piaggio Aero under extraordinary administration by the Turkish group. A step that not only guarantees industrial continuity, but also opens the door to a far-reaching collaboration between Leonardo and Baykar.
"The two companies, which are among the leading global players in the aerospace and defence sector, will be able to develop industrial and technological synergies for the realisation of advanced systems, with a focus on the production of drones for the European market," reads an official Mimit note.
Minister Urso reiterated the strategic significance of this agreement: 'The acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace by Baykar represents a fundamental step towards strengthening Italian industry and opens up a new season of cooperation with Turkey. Our goal is to strengthen Italy's innovation, competitiveness and technological leadership in the aerospace and defence sector'.
Accompanying him on the visit were Leonardo's president, Stefano Pontecorvo, and the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacir.
Drones, defence and geopolitics: the new frontier of the Rome-Ankara axis
The agreement between Leonardo and Baykar is part of a context of growing economic exchange between Italy and Turkey. 'In the last three years, the value of trade between the two countries has grown by one third, from EUR 24 billion to EUR 32 billion,' said Urso at a press conference in Istanbul. This increasingly solid bond is also reflected in industrial cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting between Urso and Minister Kacir confirmed the willingness to further expand economic relations, with new investments and greater integration of the respective production chains.
Baykar and Leonardo: a high-tech synergy
The Turkish giant, which last December won the tender for the acquisition of Piaggio Aerospacehas a portfolio of excellence in the production of unmanned aircraft and combat drones. In 2023, Baykar recorded a turnover of about USD 2 billion, of which 90% came from exports.
It is no coincidence that Leonardo is looking forward to a partnership with Baykar. The Turkish company has gained global notoriety thanks to its Bayraktar TB2 dronessuccessfully deployed by the Ukrainian armed forces in the conflict against Russia.
'We are exploring important industrial synergies in the area of unmanned technologies,' said Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani. The aim is to integrate Leonardo's know-how with Baykar's expertise in advanced drones, creating new opportunities for the European and international markets.
Opportunities and challenges of an ambitious alliance
The partnership between Leonardo and Baykar represents an unprecedented opportunity for the Italian aerospace industry, but it is not without its challenges. The integration of two realities with different corporate cultures and strategies will require careful management to avoid tensions and overlaps in the market segments in which both companies operate.
An alliance that promises to transform the defence and aerospace industry, bringing Leonardo and Baykar to the centre of a global technological revolution.
