Leonardo and Baykar have officially initiated a joint development that may reshape future NATO-compatible unmanned systems. At the Türkiye–Italy Business Forum in Istanbul on June 17, 2025, Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani stated: “We are working on an extraordinary product with Baykar.”
This announcement reflects an increasingly strategic alignment between Italian and Turkish defence industries, particularly in the field of AI-integrated UAV technologies.
Next-Gen UAV Integration Across NATO
While project specifications remain undisclosed, the defence community anticipates an advanced integration between Baykar’s platforms—such as the Bayraktar TB3 and KIZILELMA—and Leonardo’s avionics and ISR payloads.
The collaboration aims to produce a scalable, export-ready system with applications in:
- Maritime drone operations with vertical takeoff capabilities
- Swarm AI mission coordination
- Network-centric battlefield integration
Türkiye’s Rise as a Defence Innovator
Cingolani emphasized that Türkiye is no longer seen solely as a market, but as an innovation partner: “Türkiye is now an R&D hub,” he said. This reflects Türkiye’s shift from importing platforms to co-developing strategic military technology.
Baykar has already exported its UAVs to over 30 countries, and its AI-centric capabilities now attract collaboration with top-tier defence firms like Leonardo.
This partnership also reflects NATO’s growing interest in modular, interoperable drone systems—capable of being deployed rapidly in contested environments.
For Leonardo, this deal may open broader access to non-EU markets where Baykar already holds ground, while enabling Leonardo systems to be embedded into future UAV platforms from Türkiye.
Related article: Leonardo: We will create an extraordinary product with BAYKAR
More from Leonardo: Leonardo Official Website
“We are working on an extraordinary product with Baykar.” – Roberto Cingolani, CEO, Leonardo
Further Reading
- Baykar’s KIZILELMA: Türkiye’s Leap Toward AI Jet Fighters
- NATO and the Future of Interoperable Drone Warfare
- Türkiye’s Expanding Global Market Reach
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