A memorandum of understanding was signed between Leonardo and the Turkish group Baykarleader in the drone sector, for the development of pilot -free systems. The announcement comes through a joint note. According to the note, the European market is expected, including driver -free planes, armed surveillance drones and deep attack drones, achieves a value of 100 billion dollars in the next ten years.
The details of the agreement
The partnership will focus on the use of advanced Pilot -free platforms by Baykar, who have already shown considerable operational efficacy on international markets, combining Leonardo’s experience in the design of mission, payload and aeronautical certification systems in Europe. The two companies, currently engaged in the development and production of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) systems, electronic systems, Payload, C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), artificial intelligence, integrated mission systems and spatial equipment and services, will work together to guarantee interoperability within multi-dominated ecosystems.
Thanks to the abbreviation of the agreement, Leonardo and Baykar “intend to jointly pursue opportunities both in the European and internationally international market, also exploiting further synergies in the space sector”, companies write in the joint note.
Leonardo’s sites involved in the activities of the joint venture will be those of Ronchi dei Legionarispecialist center in the Unmanned sector (Gorizia), Turin And Rome Tiburtinawhere multi-dominated integrated technologies will develop and production activities will be managed. In addition, Nerviano (Milan) will be the reference point for joint solutions in the space sector.
The birth of a new reference player
The strategic partnership Leonardo-Baykar thus marks an important milestone in the field of European defense; An agreement strongly desired by both sides, given that according to the CEO of Leonardo Roberto Cingolani, the preliminary interviews with Baykar lasted only 5 monthsonce much lower than that necessary generally for understanding of the genre.
The defense industry is facing unprecedented challenges, including the development of pilot -free systems, artificial intelligence, sixth generation fighters, cybersecurity and the expansion of space technologies. “In this scenario, we are convinced that technological cooperation is necessary and urgent to accelerate progress and guarantee global safety,” explains Cingolani.
“As a global leader in the development, production and export of armed UAVs, Baykar – highlights the president and CTO, Selçuk Bayraktar – It has always focused on going beyond the limits of innovation in the unmanned aviation. Leonardo’s ability, renowned worldwide in C4i systems and his enormous know-how in artificial intelligence technologies, make this collaboration even more significant “.
The goal of a European defense only
The agreement with Leonardo marks the closure of a circle, after the Turkish group acquired Piaggio Aerospace, based in Villanova d’Albenga (Savona). Piaggio Aerospace deals with the design and construction of patrols, advanced aeronautical engines and planes remote control systems, among other activities.
An agreement that demonstrates how companies in the sector of the defense European We are increasingly detour from the United States, with the aim of creating only European agreements and providing cutting -edge drones to EU countries, now determined to increase the expenses for the defense.
