A new giant on the European drone market. Joint venture of the Italian Leonardo and the Turkish Baykar

Leonardo Baykar Aerospace Systems is a new company on the industrial map of Europe, which can significantly change the unmanned aircraft market. The goal is to create new opportunities in providing modern unmanned systems to European countries and other allied countries.

– Leonardo and Baykar quickly reached an understanding, recognizing that there are strong synergies between the companies and good opportunities for further rapid development in the domain of unmanned systems. So it was a process of building a partnership and joint venture in a record time – says Francesco Sabatini, general director of LBA Systems, to the Newseria agency.

– We have combined our knowledge and unique abilities in specific areas. Leonardo has them in the field of electronics, avionics and various types of sensors, as well as the ability to integrate these resources on air platforms. We also have extensive experience in certification and the ability to prepare unmanned platforms for cooperation with manned aircraft. Baykar has long and proven experience in the design and production of unmanned systemsso we quickly decided to combine our potential and open a new common chapter – he adds.

Manned-unmanned teaming is a concept of cooperation between manned and unmanned platforms, e.g. helicopters with drones, which has been developed by Leonardo for a long time, which is an important capability of modern armed forces. The company's focus is on connecting various resources in a network-centric environment while maintaining resistance to cyberattacks in multi-domain operations.

– This cooperation is very important for the whole of Europe, and therefore also for Poland. There is a large gap to fill in terms of unmanned systems and their new capabilitiesi. That is why we are ready to work and act together with other governments and institutions, and even with companies from other European countries. All this to create the best solutions in the field of unmanned systems for end users, said Francesco Sabatini during the Italian-Polish Aerospace Forum held in Warsaw.

In May 2025, the General Staff of the Polish Army announced the Armed Forces Development Program for 2025-2039, which is to place particular emphasis on droneization and robotization as key areas of army modernization and support for soldiers' safety. The Polish Armed Forces already have, among others, Bayraktar TB2 unmanned reconnaissance and strike systems from Baykar.

LBA Systems estimates that The European market for reconnaissance and attack drones will reach a value of USD 100 billion in the next 10 years.

– LBA Systems will focus on updating and developing new versions of existing platforms that Baykar has already introduced to the market. These platforms can be equipped with new avionics, equipment, sensors, which essentially means completely new end platforms with new solutions for the market. We are currently at the final stage of the joint venture creation process and once it is completed, we will immediately engage in providing our clients with the best possible solution – announces the CEO of LBA Systems.

According to Leonardo's plans, which the company shared during the presentation of results for the three quarters of 2025, composites will be produced and Kizilelma drones will be assembled at the Grottaglie plant in southern Italy. Mirach drones and TB3 drones will be manufactured and assembled in Ronchi dei Legionari in the north of the country. The assembly of Akinci and TB2 drones will be carried out in Villanova d'Albenga. Turin will remain a center for engineering and certification activities, and Rome will remain a center for the development of integrated multi-domain technologies and innovation.

LBA Systems will be the coordinator of the programs, and production will be based on the own industrial resources of both partners: Leonardo and Baykara. The new company will use a number of centers located throughout Italy, both in the north and in the south, emphasizes Francesco Sabatini. – This cooperation is very important because it introduces new solutions and innovations to the country where these products are created.

LBA Systems will initially focus on MALE (medium-altitude long-endurance) systems, i.e. medium altitude and long operating time, but the offer will also include unmanned systems at the tactical level. The military's interest in drones, including those that can be launched from manned platforms, such as helicopters, opens an even broader perspective for LBA Systems.

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