President of Türkiye’s Defence Industry Agency (SSB), Haluk Görgün, emphasized that Türkiye’s defense industry continues to strengthen through international partnerships, describing LBA Systems as “a significant indicator of high-tech cooperation and visionary unity.” In a post shared on his X account, Görgün underlined that Türkiye is no longer merely an observer in the global defense sector but has become a shaping and guiding force, setting new directions through innovation and collaboration. He also extended his best wishes for success to LBA Systems and its stakeholders.

Formed as an equal partnership between Türkiye’s Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo, LBA Systems will be headquartered and operated out of Italy. The joint venture will focus on the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), leveraging the industrial strengths and complementary expertise of both companies. The cooperation aims to deliver certified, allied-compatible solutions for the European market while enhancing local production and technological self-sufficiency.

The establishment of LBA Systems under the Baykar–Leonardo partnership marks a major step toward deeper industrial integration between Türkiye and Europe. The collaboration will not only accelerate the development of next-generation UAV platforms but also boost lifecycle support, logistics, and systems integration. Both companies will align their technological infrastructures to expand operational efficiency and support NATO’s broader objectives of enhancing unmanned systems capabilities across the alliance.

Görgün’s remarks highlighted how this strategic partnership aligns with Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative, which aims to foster innovation-driven, export-oriented growth in the defense sector. Through LBA Systems, joint R&D, certification, and production efforts will contribute to a stronger industrial ecosystem, enabling the delivery of reliable and high-performance UAV solutions to allied forces. The venture stands as both a technological milestone and a symbol of Türkiye’s growing influence in global defense cooperation.