The strategic partnership between Turkey and Italy is gaining significant momentum in the defense industry. In a special ceremony held in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the official documents of the agreement signed in March, which envisages the joint development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and cooperation in the field of high technology between the two countries, were mutually exchanged.
The exchange ceremony of this strategic cooperation agreement signed between Baykar, the leading company in the global SİHA (Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) market, and Leonardo, one of the world's largest defense companies, on March 6, 2025 in Rome, was held at the historical Villa Pamphili Residence in Rome within the scope of the 4th Türkiye-Italy Intergovernmental Summit.
Agreement Documents Delivered by Selçuk Bayraktar and Roberto Cingolani
At the ceremony with high-level participation, critical agreement documents regarding the memorandum of understanding aiming to combine the deep capabilities of the two companies in the field of high technology were delivered to each other by Baykar Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar and Leonardo CEO and General Manager Roberto Cingolani. This meaningful exchange of documents was recorded as a concrete step in the defense industry cooperation between the two countries.
Aiming for Strategic Expansion into the European UAV Market
This important agreement, signed last month and made official today, brings together Baykar’s internationally proven operational success with its unmanned platforms and superiority in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and Leonardo’s deep expertise in advanced mission systems, payload design and European aviation certifications under the roof of a strategic partnership. With this strong synergy, the joint venture to be established by Baykar and Leonardo aims to effectively evaluate current and future opportunities in the European unmanned aerial vehicle market.
Technology Partnership Beyond Drones
This strategic collaboration between the two long-established companies is not limited to the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles. The agreement also covers a wide range of technology sharing and joint development, including electronic systems, payloads, C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) systems, artificial intelligence applications and integrated mission systems. Baykar and Leonardo aim to achieve a strong and competitive position in European and international markets by ensuring that these multi-domain ecosystems work in harmony.
Joint Venture's Fields of Activity in Italy Determined
The strategic joint venture to be established is planned to operate in facilities located in various strategic locations in Italy. These facilities include Ronchi dei Legionari, Torino, Roma Tiburtina and Nerviano. These locations will allow the best use of the existing infrastructure and expertise of both companies, allowing joint development and production processes to be carried out efficiently. This cooperation will increase the technological competencies of both Turkey and Italy in the defense industry, paving the way for them to play a more effective role in the global market.
