Baykar signed a strategic partnership agreement with Italian defense technology company Gruppo Esea during a signing ceremony at the SAHA 2026 fair. The primary objective of this agreement is to establish fully automated robotic production lines for Baykar's unmanned aerial vehicles. The agreement was signed on May 7, 2026, at Istanbul Expo Center by Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar and Gruppo Esea CEO Alessandro Liberatore.

Baykar, founded in 2006, has become one of Turkey's most prominent unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers within the Turkish defense industry ecosystem. The company has developed globally recognized UAV platforms such as the Bayraktar TB2 and TB3, exporting these systems to more than 30 countries worldwide. Under Haluk Bayraktar's leadership, Baykar has prioritized localization and research and development investments, playing a pioneering role in developing indigenous engines and electronic systems for its platforms.

The integration of robotic production lines holds critical importance for defense manufacturing in terms of quality standardization, cost efficiency, and increased production speed. Automated production systems ensure consistent manufacturing of UAV components requiring precise tolerances while minimizing human error risk. Gruppo Esea, an Italy-based company, possesses expertise in industrial automation and robotic systems. This partnership serves Baykar's objective to upgrade its production infrastructure to international standards and establish scalable manufacturing capacity.

Turkish defense industry has made significant progress over the past decade in developing indigenous platforms and increasing localization rates. Baykar's move not only increases production capacity but also demonstrates the strengthening of international technology partnerships. The SAHA 2026 fair, organized by Turkey and Europe's largest defense, aviation, and space industry cluster, serves as an important platform where such strategic agreements are concluded.

At the same fair, Baykar signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates-based EDGE Group, under which the Al Tariq precision-guided munition will be integrated into the Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle. Additionally, a strategic cooperation framework was established with French company Safran Electronics and Defense in the field of advanced aviation electronics and electronic solutions. These multifaceted partnerships strengthen Baykar's position within the global defense industry ecosystem.