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• 50:50 Joint Venture to create a key player in unmanned technologies;
• The new company, LBA Systems, will be based in Italy;
• The agreement leverages strong industrial synergies and will encompass the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The companies had already signed a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Rome at the beginning of March 2025.
Leonardo and Baykar (baykartech.com) will be equal shareholders (50% each) in the new company, named LBA Systems, which will have its legal and operational headquarters in Italy.
The Joint Venture leverages strong industrial synergies and will encompass the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo: "Today we sign a new strategic international alliance, establishing a key player in the field of unmanned technologies. We firmly believe that technological cooperation is a powerful means to address the unprecedented challenges facing the defense sector. Integrating Leonardo’s experience in certification and integrated multi-domain technologies with Baykar’s world-class unmanned platforms can truly provide a meaningful boost in seizing opportunities both across Europe and on the global stage. We are moving forward with the implementation of our Industrial Plan, focusing on internationalization to make Leonardo a major player for global security.”
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman and CTO of Baykar Technologies: “At Baykar, we have always believed that the future of aerospace lies in bold ideas and boundary-breaking innovation. As the world’s leading developer and exporter of UAVs, we’ve turned that belief into reality on the field. This partnership with Leonardo a company with world-class expertise in C4I systems and complementary capabilities in aviation is more than a collaboration; it’s a catalyst for what’s next. Together, we are building a new generation of unmanned systems that are not only intelligent and mission-ready but designed with ethics and interoperability at their core. In a world of growing complexity, this alliance will deliver the AI-driven global security that tomorrow demands. This partnership reflects Baykar’s long-term strategy of deepening international cooperation and expanding our role as a global innovator in high-impact, autonomous defense technologies.”
Baykar, with an extensive portfolio covering all relevant UAS segments, will focus on design and development of advanced unmanned platforms. Leonardo will provide cutting-edge electronic systems and payloads, implement Manned-Unmanned Teaming and swarming capabilities, and be involved in qualification and certification activities.
Through the activities of this Joint Venture, Leonardo and Baykar aim at jointly pursue opportunities in both the European and international market. The companies have also agreed to explore additional areas of collaboration: from commercial cooperation involving Baykar and Leonardo platforms, to joint initiatives within multi-domain digital ecosystems.
Among the Leonardo sites involved there will be: Ronchi dei Legionari, centre of excellence of the unmanned sector, Turin for engineering and certification activities, Rome Tiburtina for the development of integrated multi-domain technologies, as well as Grottaglie for the production of advanced composites.
About Leonardo
Leonardo (leonardo.com) is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 53,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes, within these sectors, such as Eurofighter, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (72.3%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50%), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (29.6%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2023 Leonardo recorded new orders for €17.9 billion, with an order book of €39.5 billion and consolidated revenues of €15.3 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
Investor Relations: P: +39 0632473512 - E: ir[.]leonardo.com.
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leonardopressoffice[.]leonardo.com 
