“Revolutionizing the Skies: Leonardo and Baykar Join Forces in Unmanned Innovations”
Leonardo and Baykar Technologies have declared the establishment of a 50:50 partnership, LBA Systems, focused on the advancement of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This declaration was made during the International Paris Airshow in Le Bourget, following a Memorandum of Understanding concluded in Rome in March 2025.
LBA Systems will operate legally and functionally in Italy, with aspirations to emerge as a significant entity in unmanned technologies. The newly formed company will encompass the entire UAS lifecycle, comprising design, development, production, and upkeep.
“Today, we are signing a new strategic global alliance, creating a vital player in the realm of unmanned technologies,” stated Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo. “By merging Leonardo’s expertise in certification and integrated multi-domain technologies with Baykar’s premier unmanned platforms, we can significantly enhance our ability to capitalize on opportunities across Europe and the international arena.”
Cingolani further noted, “We are advancing with the execution of our Industrial Plan, concentrating on international expansion to position Leonardo as a key contributor to global security.” This initiative is regarded as a fundamental step in amplifying Leonardo’s international stature in the defence industry.
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman and CTO of Baykar Technologies, remarked, “At Baykar, we have consistently held the belief that the future of aerospace resides in daring concepts and groundbreaking innovation.” He added, “United, we are crafting a new era of unmanned systems that are not only intelligent and mission-capable but are also designed with ethics and interoperability in mind.”
Baykar will bring its sophisticated capabilities in the design and development of unmanned platforms throughout all UAS segments. Leonardo will provide cutting-edge electronic systems, payloads, and specialist knowledge in Manned-Unmanned Teaming, swarming technologies, and system certification.
With LBA Systems, both firms intend to target commercial opportunities within European and global defence sectors. They will also investigate further partnerships, including commercial ventures and joint initiatives within multi-domain digital ecosystems.
Leonardo will involve multiple Italian locations in the partnership: Ronchi dei Legionari as a center of excellence in unmanned systems, Turin for engineering and certification, Rome Tiburtina for multi-domain technology innovation, and Grottaglie for advanced composite manufacturing.
