Italy’s defense giant Leonardo and Türkiye’s leading drone manufacturer Baykar have announced a major industrial collaboration to jointly produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and jet-powered combat drones on Italian soil.
The newly established joint venture, LBA Systems, will assemble and certify a range of Baykar platforms — including the TB2, TB3, Akinci, and the jet-powered Kizilelma — at multiple Leonardo facilities across Italy.
EU-Based Drone Production Line
Through this partnership, production and certification will shift partially to Italy, creating an EU-based supply chain compliant with European aviation and defense regulations. The initiative also integrates Leonardo’s advanced sensors, weapons, and certification expertise with Baykar’s combat-proven UAV technology.
By manufacturing in Italy, both companies aim to deliver export-ready, NATO-interoperable systems faster and with reduced licensing constraints, strengthening Europe’s autonomous defense capabilities.
Five Key Areas of Cooperation
LBA Systems will focus on:
- Final assembly and serial production of Baykar UAVs in Italian facilities.
- Composite aerostructure manufacturing to meet EU airworthiness standards.
- Engineering and certification processes aligned with EASA requirements.
- Multi-domain C2 (Command and Control) and ISR system integration.
- Maintenance and sustainment for European operators.
Industrial Impact Across Italy
Production responsibilities will be distributed among Italian cities:
- Ronchi dei Legionari will handle TB3 naval drone assembly and sensor integration.
- Villanova d’Albenga, within the former Piaggio Aerospace perimeter, will produce TB2 and Akinci UAVs.
- Turin will lead certification and engineering efforts.
- Rome will host a C2 and AI innovation hub for autonomous systems.
- Grottaglie will focus on composite manufacturing and final assembly of Kizilelma, Europe’s first jet-powered UCAV aligned with sixth-generation fighter concepts.
Strategic and Economic Significance
This alliance transforms Italy from a UAV operator into a co-producer nation, embedding drone expertise, jobs, and technology within Europe’s defense ecosystem.
It also enhances NATO’s distributed sensing and interoperability goals, bridging the gap between tactical UAVs and next-generation loyal-wingman aircraft.
Once regulatory approvals are finalized, Italy is expected to become a key export and support hub for European drone operations.
