Türkiye, Italy strengthen defense ties with official exchange of Baykar-Leonardo deal in Rome
Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar (L) and Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani (R) shake hands after signing a preliminary cooperation protocol between the Turkish drone manufacturer and the Italian aerospace and defense giant, Leonardo at the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, at Villa Pamphili residence in Rome, Italy on April 29, 2025. (Turkish Presidency / AA Photo)
A strategic partnership agreement between Türkiye’s defense leader Baykar and Italy’s defense giant Leonardo was officially exchanged on Tuesday during a ceremony at the 4th Türkiye-Italy Intergovernmental Summit in Rome.
The ceremony, held at Villa Pamphili, saw the exchange of documents for the memorandum of understanding signed on March 6, 2025.
The summit, co-chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marked the culmination of a series of agreements between Türkiye and Italy.
These pacts covered a wide range of sectors, including trade, industrial investments, space, culture, sports, social services, archives, transportation, and defense.
According to a statement from Baykar, the exchange ceremony was attended by Erdogan and Meloni. The agreement, signed last month and exchanged on Tuesday, aims to combine Baykar’s leadership in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology with Leonardo’s expertise in mission systems, payload design, and European aviation certifications.
Selcuk Bayraktar, Chairman of Baykar’s Board of Directors, and Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, exchanged the agreement documents during the ceremony.
Leonardo şirketiyle “insansız hava araçları, yüksek teknoloji geliştirme ve üretimi” iş birliğini öngören anlaşmanın belgeleri resmî olarak teati edildi. 🇹🇷🤝🇮🇹
Hayırlı uğurlu olsun. ✈️
I documenti per l'accordo con Leonardo, che riguarda la cooperazione nello sviluppo e nella… pic.twitter.com/kRiaMcDi2V
— BAYKAR (@BaykarTech) April 29, 2025
Proven success and growing opportunities in European UAV market
The partnership brings together Baykar’s proven success in operational unmanned platforms and its leadership in artificial intelligence technology, alongside Leonardo’s specialized knowledge in European aviation systems. The joint venture aims to capitalize on growing opportunities in the European UAV market.
Beyond UAVs, the collaboration will also focus on electronic systems, payloads, C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence), artificial intelligence, and integrated mission systems.
With this strategic partnership, Baykar and Leonardo are positioning themselves to strengthen their presence in both European and international markets by creating a harmonious multi-domain ecosystem.
The joint venture will operate in several facilities across Italy, including Ronchi dei Legionari, Torino, Roma Tiburtina, and Nerviano.
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