On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the second day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in the United Kingdom, Italy’s Leonardo group and Turkish company Baykar Makina announced that their joint venture, LBA Systems, had achieved full operational capability. The necessary regulatory approvals had been obtained and a new head of the joint venture had been appointed, completing the establishment of a new player in the field of unmanned technologies. Leonardo and Baykar each hold a 50% stake in the joint venture, whose legal and operational headquarters are located in Italy.
Photos: Leonardo
The joint venture leverages the companies’ complementary strengths in the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems. LBA Systems combines Leonardo’s state-of-the-art electronic systems, payload and effector integration capabilities, and extensive expertise in EU type approval and certification with Baykar Makina’s design and development of advanced unmanned platforms, broad portfolio covering all major weight classes, and advanced, efficient manufacturing processes and capabilities. The establishment of a dedicated Unmanned Aerial Systems Business Unit within Leonardo’s Aeronautics Division will enable the effective coordination and execution of business and industrial activities.
Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, said:
“LBA Systems enters the rapidly growing uncrewed system sector with a complete and competitive offer. It leverages a comprehensive range of Leonardo proprietary payloads which can be integrated into several different Baykar platforms, in order to meet the demanding mission requirements dictated by today’s operational challenges. The start of operations at LBA Systems also epitomizes drivers which are core to our strategy: execution and production acceleration, stronger and larger industrial base, partnerships to deliver the critical mass required to respond to the European and global markets evolving demand, growth and value creation.”
Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar said:
“LBA Systems is a significant initiative that combines Baykar’s field-proven, high-tech autonomous architecture and manufacturing power with Leonardo’s advanced payload and avionics capabilities. The success of KIZILELMA’s recent CUC-T tests with the M-346 has demonstrated the global maturity our autonomy has achieved per NATO standards, and has been a direct response to the demanding operational requirements of the battlefield. With LBA Systems, we will offer the global market ready and reliable solutions — from Astore Levante to KIZILELMA — beyond concepts on paper. This partnership is a strategic step that will strengthen the defense industrial base of both Europe and allied nations.” (K-SWARM: Joint flights of M-346 with Turkish Bayraktar Kızılelma drone)
LBA Systems will work on the joint development of next-generation unmanned systems supported by advanced artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, and multidomain interoperability, while pursuing opportunities in both European and international markets. Drawing on the complementary expertise of both partners, the joint venture’s product portfolio already includes six different systems: the 80 kg Kalkan, designed primarily for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; the MALE-class TB2 in two variants; the Astore Levante, capable of operating from aircraft carriers with short flight decks; the HALE-class Akinci platform; and the Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft. The Kızılelma recently demonstrated advanced manned-unmanned teaming capabilities during tests with Leonardo’s M-346F light fighter. At Farnborough, the partners are also presenting LBA Systems’ first product, the Astore Levante, which integrates the proven Bayraktar TB3 platform with a broad range of advanced Leonardo technologies, including sensors, mission systems, and a ground control station (Leonardo and Baykar to Jointly Develop a Next-Generation UAV).
Industrial work on the Astore Levante and Kızılelma will be carried out at Leonardo production facilities. Production of the first batch of Astore Levante unmanned aircraft is already underway, with delivery to an end user in Italy expected later this year. Work on the TB2 and Akinci will be conducted at Baykar’s facility in Italy.
Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of #Leonardo, stated: “LBA Systems enters the rapidly growing uncrewed system sector with a complete and competitive offer. It leverages a comprehensive range of Leonardo proprietary payloads which can be integrated into several different…
— Leonardo (@Leonardo_live) July 21, 2026