ROME
The partnership agreement in unmanned technologies signed between Türkiye’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer Baykar and Italian defense giant Leonardo has received extensive coverage in the European media.
Türkiye's leading drone producer, Baykar Technologies, and Italian defense giant Leonardo signed a partnership agreement Thursday in unmanned technologies. The agreement was signed by Leonardo's CEO Roberto Cingolani, Baykar's Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar, and CEO Haluk Bayraktar at Leonardo headquarters in Rome.
Italy’s widely circulated newspaper La Repubblica reported that Baykar and Leonardo are officially collaborating to tap into the rapidly expanding UAV market, which is expected to reach a $100 billion value within the next decade. The partnership aims to combine their expertise to develop UAVs, with a focus on quickly acquiring Italian certifications to sell in Europe and other countries.
Noting that Baykar’s UAVs are already sold in 36 countries, generating nearly $2 billion annually. The companies plan to develop a prototype within 12 to 18 months, marking the official start of their collaboration.
Other major Italian newspapers, including Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, and Il Sole 24 Ore, have covered the deal, emphasizing the strategic importance of this partnership for both companies.
Il Messaggero reported on the collaboration focusing on their goal to achieve air superiority in UAVs. The first model from this partnership, expected to be a large UAV, is set to be released next year.
The report also highlights Leonardo’s CEO outlining the challenges in defense technology, including UAVs, AI, sixth-generation fighter jets, cybersecurity, and space, while stressing the urgent need for technological collaboration.
Il Sole 24 Ore also reported that the collaboration mirrors Leonardo's recent joint venture with Rheinmetall for armored vehicles, now focused on UAV production. After five months of work, both companies aim to develop the first prototype within a year and quickly enter the market.
Italian television stations also gave extensive coverage of Leonardo's partnership agreement with Baykar in their news reports.
- Germany
German media outlets, such as Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Ntv, and Handelsblatt, have also reported on the partnership, noting that the UAV market in Europe is expected to exceed €100 billion over the next decade. The collaboration is seen as part of a broader trend of European companies strengthening defense capabilities, with Leonardo playing a central role in the development of UAV technologies alongside Baykar.
Ntv reported that the partnership focuses on the growing market for unmanned fighter jets, armed surveillance UAVs, and combat UAVs, which is expected to exceed €100 billion in Europe over the next decade. Leonardo is also involved in developing the Eurodrone alongside Airbus and Dassault.
German economy newspapers Handelsblatt and Deutschlandfunk both reported on the partnership and highlighted that the two defense companies are collaborating in the fighter jet sector.
- Greece
In Greece, the collaboration has been seen as a significant move in advancing UAV technology, with an emphasis on integrating Leonardo’s advanced radar and electronic systems into Baykar’s UAVs. The partnership is expected to help both companies achieve their ambitious goal of dominating the UAV market.
The Greek news site SLpress called the agreement a significant step in the development of UAVs. They noted that the deal will integrate Leonardo's radar, electronic systems, and sensors into Baykar's UAVs, to reach a $100 billion target in the global UAV market.
Naftemporiki newspaper also highlighted that Türkiye has transitioned from being a mediator to a security provider for the European Union, noting that the partnership between Baykar and Leonardo cannot be seen as coincidental. The report suggested that, given Türkiye's advancements in UAV production, it stands to benefit from Europe's growing arms race.
- France
French newspapers Les Echos and Le Figaro also reported on the partnership.
Les Echos stated that the two companies are joining forces to create a new joint venture based in Italy, with plans to produce UAVs for the European market, which is expected to reach €100 billion by the end of the decade.
Le Figaro reported that the new partners aim to develop their first large UAV prototype within 12-18 months. The report stressed Cingolani’s statement that such alliances, combining the best technologies and production capabilities, are the fastest and most effective way to build Europe's defense industry.
- UK
The Guardian reported: “On Thursday, the Italian defense group Leonardo announced a deal with the Turkish drone-maker Baykar to try to rapidly increase the manufacture of unmanned weapons for Ukraine within Europe.”
The Times also reported that Baykar's agreement with Leonardo will equip its UAVs with Italian radar and electronics, while Leonardo is a partner in the 2035 GCAP Fighter Jet Project, a collaboration between the UK, Italy, and Japan.
The report highlighted Baykar’s dominant position in the global UAV market, with annual revenues of around $2 billion, and emphasized the crucial role of its TB2 model in Ukraine’s early victories against Russian forces.
- Belgium
The Belgian newspaper De Standaard reported that Bayraktar UAVs gained significant importance in the early stages of the war in Ukraine, even inspiring Ukrainian songs.
The report also stated that Baykar is building a facility in Kyiv and the joint venture with Leonardo allows for optimizing a Turkish UAV using Leonardo's advanced technology, starting with Baykar's 6-ton Akinci model, capable of carrying all types of ammunition.
- The Netherlands
The Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported that Italian and Turkish companies aim to dominate the European unmanned combat aircraft market through a joint venture, with projections of the market reaching $100 billion in the next decade.
The report also highlighted Baykar’s established role in the European defense market, having supplied drones to Ukraine, with a new factory in Kyiv set to be completed by August.
Similarly, De NRC covered the partnership, noting the crucial role Turkish Bayraktar drones have played in the war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The report emphasized the need for Europe to shift its defense strategy and prioritize collective interests. The joint venture aims to enhance Baykar’s UAVs with Leonardo’s expertise in electronics and AI.
