Simone Ungaro and Carlo Gualdaroni, Co-General Managers of Italian defense and aerospace giant Leonardo, recently visited Baykar Technology’s headquarters the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center and the Çorlu Flight Training and Test Center accompanied by a high-level delegation.
This visit is seen as a significant indication of the deepening defense and technology cooperation between Turkey and Italy. The delegation conducted comprehensive inspections at the core centers of Turkey’s aerospace activities.
In a statement regarding the visit, Baykar officials said:
“We were pleased to host Ungaro, Gualdaroni, and their teams. This visit reflects the growing strategic cooperation between our two countries.”
A Billion-Dollar Partnership with the Italian Giant
The strategic cooperation agreement signed on March 6 between Baykar one of the world’s leading exporters of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Leonardo drew significant attention in the global defense industry.
The signing ceremony, held in Rome, gained official status with the attendance of Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. At the event, Baykar Chairman of the Board Selçuk Bayraktar and Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Under this cooperation, the two companies will work together on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs and UCAVs), artificial intelligence technologies, payload systems, and C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) systems. The project will also be supported by Leonardo’s facilities in Ronchi dei Legionari, Turin, and Nerviano, Italy.
A New Power is Emerging in the European Market
This strategic joint venture aims to co-develop next-generation fighter aircraft, surveillance drones, and deep-strike platforms. As the European unmanned systems market is expected to grow to a value of $100 billion in the next decade, Baykar and Leonardo are anticipated to claim a significant share of this market.
Commenting on the partnership, Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said:
“By combining Baykar’s innovative UCAV technology with our mission systems and certification capabilities, we will become a strong player on the international stage.”
Baykar officials also stated that this partnership will expand into various strategic areas, particularly space technologies, and will bring significant technological benefits for both Turkey and Europe.
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