At the International "Paris Airshow" in Le Bourget, Leonardo and Baykar technologies announced today the establishment of a joint venture dedicated to the development of unmanned technologies. The companies had already signed a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Rome at the beginning of March 2025 (see for details AVIONEWS). 

Both industries 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, both 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.