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Production of the first mid-class unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed through a partnership between Türkiye’s Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo is expected to be completed by April, an official said Wednesday.
Speaking at an investor and press briefing presenting Leonardo’s 2025 financial results, Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said the company has gained strong momentum in the UAV segment, highlighting its close collaboration with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar.
He said the two companies are working together daily to integrate new technologies, adding that further details will be outlined in an updated strategic plan scheduled for release in the coming weeks.
Emphasizing the rapid pace of progress, Cingolani said significant advances have been achieved in just eight months.
He said assembly and production of the first medium-class UAVs will be finalized by April at Leonardo’s facility in Ronchi dei Legionari in northern Italy.
The program covers a broad range of platforms, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing systems, he added.
Before moving to mass production and sales, which are expected to reach hundreds of units, the aircraft will undergo an approximately one-year testing and demonstration phase.
During the coming months, the drones are set to demonstrate capabilities such as landings under specialized conditions and coordinated swarm operations.
Cingolani said progress in the UAV initiative is expected to have a notable impact on Leonardo’s electronics division, particularly following developments linked to the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a multinational defense project.
He added that investments are continuing as planned and that the UAV program is currently running slightly ahead of schedule.
Leonardo and Turkish defense giant Baykar signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2025 to establish a joint venture for drone production.
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