Turkey has taken a major step into the European defense and aerospace industry with the completion of Baykar’s acquisition of Italy’s Piaggio Aerospace, marking a significant milestone in Ankara’s growing ambitions in aviation and unmanned systems.
Baykar, Turkey’s leading drone manufacturer, officially finalized the deal to acquire the historic Italian aerospace company, according to an announcement from Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The strategic acquisition grants the Turkish defense sector direct access to the European aviation market and high-end technological infrastructure—raising both industrial and geopolitical questions across the continent.
A Strategic Industrial Move
Italy’s Minister of Enterprises, Adolfo Urso, hailed the acquisition as a “strategic step” toward revitalizing one of the country’s oldest aerospace brands. He emphasized that Baykar’s industrial plan opens major new market prospects for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), strengthening the competitiveness of the Italian and broader European aerospace industries.
“This operation already has a wider impact on Baykar’s cooperation with Leonardo,” Urso noted, referring to Italy’s major defense contractor. “It positions our country as a central player in Europe’s aerospace market—a bright future for a company with a storied past, a symbol of Made in Italy.”
Baykar’s Vision: Innovation and Legacy
Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar described the acquisition as a bold new chapter for Piaggio Aerospace, driven by an ambitious industrial vision designed to both honor its legacy and unlock its full future potential.
Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar’s CTO and the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, echoed the sentiment, calling it “an honor” to be entrusted with the future of a company synonymous with Italian excellence.
Focus on Long-Term Growth
Baykar aims to drive long-term growth by investing in talent and deepening industrial cooperation between Turkey and Italy. The plan includes modernizing Piaggio’s civil aviation expertise, increasing output of the Avanti EVO, and transforming the company into a center of excellence for advanced aerospace systems.
FILE PHOTO: The Bayraktar Akinci, a long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, is displayed at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
The development strategy also includes integrating Baykar’s unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs)—notably the Bayraktar Akıncı and Bayraktar TB2—into Piaggio’s production facilities, leveraging its manufacturing capacity to meet growing global demand. The move will also support the creation of a European maintenance and engineering center, cementing Piaggio’s role in the region’s defense and aerospace ecosystem.
Selçuk Bayraktar emphasized that the acquisition is not just a business deal but an opportunity to enhance Piaggio’s legacy and contribute to the innovation and performance demanded by today’s global civil aviation market.
A New Chapter for Piaggio Aerospace
The plan preserves Piaggio’s historic identity while infusing it with Baykar’s dynamic approach to aerospace innovation. The Avanti EVO will be reintroduced to the global market with upgraded technologies, and Piaggio’s engineering heritage—spanning more than a century—will serve as the foundation for future development.
A Destinus T-150 turbojet engine for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) displayed at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
According to Turkish state media Anadolu, Baykar has achieved remarkable export success since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003. Exports now account for 83% of the company’s revenue, with $1.8 billion in export earnings recorded in 2023 alone. Baykar is currently ranked among Turkey’s top ten exporting firms across all sectors.
As this acquisition unfolds, Turkey is positioning itself as a serious industrial player in Europe’s aerospace future—through the revival of an iconic Italian brand and the global rise of Turkish unmanned aviation.
