Leonardo × Baykar — LBA Systems JV: European Manufacturing of Advanced Drone Platforms

Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, LBA Systems — a 50/50 joint venture between Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A. and Turkey’s Baykar — achieved full operational readiness following regulatory clearance. Headquartered in Italy, LBA Systems integrates Leonardo’s avionics, radar, electro-optical payloads and electronic warfare suites into Baykar’s uncrewed platforms including the KALKAN ISR drone, Bayraktar TB2, AKINCI and KIZILELMA. Manufacturing, integration and servicing for Western markets will be executed at dedicated facilities in Italy, localising advanced autonomous systems production within the EU defence industrial base.