Italy Allocates €2.4 Billion for UAV Programme: Baykar and Leonardo Partnership Stands Out in LBA Systems
The Italian Ministry of Defence has announced a €2.4 billion budget allocation for the Italian Air Force’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme under the Multi-Year Planning Document (DPP) covering the 2025–2027 period. The programme is expected to include next-generation UAV models developed by LBA Systems, a joint venture between Leonardo and Baykar.
Budget Increases from €71 Million to €2.4 Billion
In the previous DPP period, only €71 million had been allocated to the UAV project, but the new document highlights a significant budget increase.
While the new plan does not include a “complementary fund” definition, the referenced ministerial decree points to the procurement programme of four ASTORE-type UAVs developed by Leonardo.
The three-year budget planning has been outlined as follows:
- 2025: €242 million
- 2026: €154 million
- 2027: €276 million
In addition, €740.4 million is projected for the 2028–2030 period, with over €1 billion in additional funding expected for 2031–2036.
Armed UAV Plan and Command-Control System
The documents emphasise that the UAVs to be developed will have “kinetic capability,” meaning they will be armed platforms. The programme is also expected to be used in the short term to test a new Command and Control architecture.
Given the substantial budget allocated, the programme is believed to cover UAVs of various classes. In this context, new models developed by Leonardo and Baykar’s joint venture, LBA Systems, are expected to be included in the project.
Italian Delegation Visits Baykar Facilities
A high-level delegation led by Italian Deputy Minister of Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello, and Deputy Navy Commander Vice Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto recently visited Baykar’s facilities in Tekirdağ and Istanbul.
The delegation examined the capabilities of the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV, Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, and Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet on site. During the visit, a successful live-fire demonstration was carried out using ROKETSAN-produced MAM-L munitions.
Briefing on Future Technologies at Baykar
Following the demonstrations in Çorlu, the delegation visited the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Centre. There, Selçuk Bayraktar, Haluk Bayraktar, and Baykar project managers gave a comprehensive presentation on current projects and future technological visions.
Simone Ungaro, Co-Chair for Strategy and Innovation, and Carlo Gualdaroni, Co-Chair for Business Development, from Italian defence industry giant Leonardo, were also present at the visit.
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