Leonardo and Baykar have officially launched a 50:50 joint venture aimed at the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems for international markets. This partnership, announced at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, solidifies a memorandum of understanding signed in Rome in March 2025. The joint venture, named LBA Systems, will be headquartered legally and operationally in Italy.
Initial projects will focus on the Bayraktar TB3 and Akinci drones, as confirmed by Baykar chair Selcuk Bayraktar in an interview with Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu. Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, revealed that work has already commenced on integrating payload systems.
Cingolani referred to this joint venture as a “new strategic international alliance,” which aims to combine Leonardo’s expertise in certification and integrated multi-domain technologies with Baykar’s exceptional unmanned platforms. Bayraktar emphasized that this initiative is “more than a collaboration; it’s a catalyst for what’s next.” He stated that both companies aim to produce “a new generation of unmanned systems” that focus on intelligence, mission-readiness, ethics, and interoperability at their core.
In light of increasing global complexities, Bayraktar projected that this alliance would provide the “AI-driven global security that tomorrow demands.” Under the terms of the joint venture, Baykar will handle the design and development aspects, while Leonardo will contribute electronic systems, payloads, and enhancements for manned-unmanned teaming and swarming capabilities. The partnership will also explore areas such as commercial cooperation, multi-domain digital ecosystems, and potential initiatives in space.
Production will take place in various facilities across Italy, including locations in Ronchi dei Legionari, Turin, Tiburtina in Rome, and Grottaglie. Among the goals set for this venture are accomplishing a successful landing on an Italian Navy aircraft carrier by the end of 2025 and achieving certification for new machines by 2026. This endeavor also aims to address the existing gaps in Europe’s drone capabilities.
Cingolani highlighted the importance of alliances between European nations and Türkiye, advocating for stronger business models and the development of new technologies. Bayraktar echoed this sentiment, noting how the collaboration aligns with the interests of Europe, NATO, and broader global security initiatives.
