Leonardo sets up military AI drone joint venture with Baykar of Turkey
Electronics giant Leonardo in Italy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baykar of Turkey to establish a Joint Venture to make AI drone technology.
The joint venture, based in Italy, will take design and manufacture military AI drone platforms from Baykar and adding mission systems, payloads, and certification from Leonardo. The deal also includes maintenance.
Over the next ten years the European drone market is projected to reach $ 100 billion following the use in the war in Ukraine.
Both companies develop and produce drones, electronic systems, payloads, C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), Artificial Intelligence, integrated mission systems, space equipment, and services, and will ensure interoperability.
The joint venture will use Leonardo plants in Ronchi dei Legionari, Friuli, for the drones, Torino and Roma Tiburtina for production aspects and the development of integrated multi-domain technologies and Nerviano in Lombardy) for the joint systems or the space sector.
“With Baykar we are creating a new reference player in unmanned technologies, which will play an increasingly central role in the future of Defense,” said Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo. “We are signing a new international alliance that marks a significant leap forward in unmanned systems, opening up new market opportunities, particularly in Europe. The defense industry is facing unprecedented challenges, such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, sixth-generation fighters, cybersecurity, and space. In this context, we are convinced that technological cooperation is both necessary and urgent to accelerate progress and ensure global security.”
“As the global leader in armed UAV development, production, and export in the world, Baykar has always focused on pushing the boundaries of innovation in unmanned aviation,” said Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman and CTO of Baykar.
“Leonardo’s globally renowned capability in C4I systems and its advanced AI technology backbone make this collaboration even more impactful. This strategic partnership with Leonardo marks a significant milestone in expanding our technological footprint and strengthening our presence in the world. Baykar will combine ethical AI-driven technologies together with Leonardo’s immense capability in the AI technologies to develop next-generation solutions that will define the future of unmanned aerial systems. Together, this synergy will bring ultimate AI-driven air supremacy for the future.”
www.leonardo.com; www.baykartech.com
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