“Skyward Bound: A Game-Changing Alliance Between Leonardo and Baykar in Drone Technology”
Leonardo and Baykar Technologies have announced the formation of a 50:50 joint venture, LBA Systems, dedicated to the evolution of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This announcement was made during the International Paris Airshow in Le Bourget, subsequent to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Rome in March 2025.
LBA Systems will operate officially and functionally within Italy, with the ambition to become a formidable entity in the realm of unmanned technologies. The newly established company will cover the entire UAS lifecycle, including design, development, manufacturing, and maintenance.
“Today, we are formalizing a new strategic global partnership, establishing a crucial player in the domain of unmanned technologies,” remarked Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo. “By combining Leonardo’s proficiency in certification and integrated multi-domain technologies with Baykar’s superior unmanned platforms, we can greatly improve our ability to seize opportunities across Europe and internationally.”
Furthermore, Cingolani emphasized, “We are progressing with the implementation of our Industrial Plan, focusing on global expansion to position Leonardo as a prominent contributor to worldwide security.” This initiative is seen as a pivotal step in elevating Leonardo’s international profile within the defense sector.
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman and CTO of Baykar Technologies, commented, “At Baykar, we have persistently believed that the future of aerospace lies in bold ideas and revolutionary innovation.” He continued, “Together, we are ushering in a new era of unmanned systems that are not only intelligent and mission-capable but also crafted with ethics and interoperability at the forefront.”
Baykar will contribute its advanced capabilities in the design and development of unmanned platforms across all UAS segments. Leonardo will offer innovative electronic systems, payloads, and specialized expertise in Manned-Unmanned Teaming, swarm technologies, and system certification.
With LBA Systems, both companies plan to pursue commercial prospects within the European and global defense markets. They will also explore further alliances, including commercial endeavors and collaborative projects within multi-domain digital ecosystems.
Leonardo will involve various Italian sites in the alliance: Ronchi dei Legionari as a center of excellence for unmanned systems, Turin for engineering and certification, Rome Tiburtina for multidisciplinary technology innovation, and Grottaglie for advanced composite manufacturing.
