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Greece has filed a formal diplomatic protest with France over a strategic partnership between French defense electronics firm Safran and Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, which will integrate Safran's Euroflir electro-optical systems into Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Greek media outlet Kathimerini reported Friday.
The deal was among seven defense agreements Türkiye signed with European, Canadian, Gulf, and Asian partners at and around the SAHA EXPO international defense exhibition in Istanbul.
Safran and Baykar signed the strategic partnership, covering what a joint statement described as "co-development of integrated solutions combining optronic sensors, navigation systems and guided armament capabilities, intended for both drone platforms and air-to-ground operations."
Zone Militaire, the French defense publication, reported on the agreement, noting the deal would significantly enhance the TB2's "surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities." The TB2 had previously used the MX-15 system developed by Canadian firm L3Harris Wescam.
"The integration of our Euroflir optronic systems as well as our advanced positioning, navigation and timing technologies aboard Baykar's TB2 drones marks a new milestone in operational performance," said Alexandre Ziegler, head of the Defense division at Safran Electronics and Defense, who signed the agreement alongside Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar.
"Through this partnership, we aim to offer innovative solutions and open new perspectives on the international market," Bayraktar said.
The cooperation also covers navigation and tracking systems and smart munitions, and both companies are committed to jointly promoting co-developed solutions to international clients.
According to Kathimerini, the Athens government formally protested the development to Paris following the announcement.
Beyond the Safran deal, Türkiye signed six additional agreements covering defense co-development with partners across multiple continents, all highlighted at the SAHA EXPO in Istanbul, where Turkish companies sought to deepen their presence in European markets and across the European Union.
Baykar signed an agreement with Italy's Gruppo Esse to establish a robotic, fully automated mass-production line for unmanned aerial vehicles. Baykar has already acquired several Italian aerospace and defense companies.
Turkish defense firm ARCA Savunma and Estonia's Defense Ministry agreed to establish a long-range ammunition production facility in Estonia, with the project estimated to cost approximately €300 million ($347.5 million).
Turkish arms manufacturer Sarsilmaz and Spain's EM&E Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation in research and technology.
Outside Europe, Turkish shipyard Sefine and Canada's Kraken Robotics agreed to jointly develop autonomous underwater systems. Baykar also signed an agreement with the UAE's Edge to integrate the Emirati-made Al Tariq munition into the Akinci combat drone, along with a memorandum to expand cooperation on precision weapons and autonomous systems.
Türkiye also moved to expand its defense footprint in Latin America.
Turkish companies participated in the FIDAE 2026 aerospace and space exhibition in Chile, showcasing their latest defense technologies as part of a broader strategy to expand access to regional markets.
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