Baykar, Türkiye’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, has made a landmark acquisition by purchasing the historic Italian aviation company Caproni, which dates back to 1882. This bold move marks Baykar’s first major step into the European aerospace market and reflects Türkiye’s growing influence in global defence and aerospace innovation.
Announced on June 28, 2025, the acquisition was confirmed by Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar, who described the move as a strategic decision aimed at uniting Türkiye’s technological agility with Europe’s historic industrial capabilities. “Our vision is to combine Caproni’s deep-rooted engineering legacy with Türkiye’s technology-driven defence transformation,” Bayraktar stated.
A Strategic Expansion into European Aerospace
Caproni, once a titan of early 20th-century military aviation, contributed significantly to Italy’s airpower during both World Wars. By acquiring such a legacy-rich brand, Baykar not only gains access to valuable infrastructure and European certification pathways but also repositions Türkiye as a major technological contributor within NATO and the EU defence ecosystem.
This move aligns with Türkiye’s long-term industrial goals, which include the localization of critical defence subsystems, expansion of international production capabilities, and a deeper footprint in NATO airspace. It also comes at a time when European nations are seeking reliable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional Western UAV suppliers.
Dual-Use Innovation and Aerospace Legacy
The Caproni acquisition offers more than just production capacity. It provides Baykar with access to early patents, historical design archives, and legacy test facilities that could serve dual-use applications — both civilian and military. This is in line with Türkiye’s approach to developing AI-integrated, autonomous aerial platforms that can adapt to both peacetime and battlefield environments.
Baykar’s growing export portfolio — which includes markets across Central Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe — will benefit from a European manufacturing base that can facilitate smoother logistics, regulatory compliance, and potential joint ventures with EU firms. With increasing global attention on NATO-standard interoperability, Baykar’s move enhances its global credibility.
Implications for Türkiye’s Defence Diplomacy
Beyond its commercial value, the deal is a milestone in Türkiye’s broader defence diplomacy strategy. It positions Türkiye as not just a buyer of foreign technology, but a nation capable of reviving and repurposing legacy European aerospace assets. This enhances Türkiye’s standing as a system integrator and exporter — a rare combination among NATO members.
“Türkiye is no longer an emerging player — it is rewriting the aerospace playbook with bold moves like this,” said an Italian defence analyst to Anadolu Agency.
Read the full original announcement on Anadolu Agency
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