Baykar-Leonardo Venture LBA Systems Begins Aircraft Integration in Italy

LBA Systems, the 50-50 joint venture between Turkish drone maker Baykar and Italian defence group Leonardo, has begun aircraft integration on its first uncrewed platform in Italy. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said assembly of the venture’s debut product, the Astore Levante, is underway at Leonardo’s Ronchi dei Legionari plant in northern Italy, with first customer deliveries targeted before the end of the year.

At a Glance

LBA Systems, formed as an equal partnership between Baykar and Leonardo, declared full operational readiness in July 2026.
Its first product, the Astore Levante, combines Baykar’s Bayraktar TB3 airframe with Leonardo’s sensors, mission systems and ground control station.
Integration work is underway at Ronchi dei Legionari, with the first two to three aircraft currently on the assembly line.
The Italian Air Force has ordered two air vehicles plus a ground control station, with options for two more.
First customer deliveries are planned before the end of 2026.

Background

LBA Systems was set up to pair Baykar’s experience with the short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) Bayraktar TB3, designed for operation from smaller flight decks, with Leonardo’s expertise in electronics, sensor integration and certification. The venture reached full operational status in July 2026 and moved into production shortly after. The Astore Levante integrates Leonardo’s mission systems and ground control software onto the TB3 airframe, and the Italian Air Force order marks the partnership’s first tangible commercial output in the European market.

Regional Impact

Italy, a NATO member, ordering a Turkish-engineered drone platform for its own air force underscores Baykar’s evolution from a platform exporter into a technology partner for allied industry. The TB3’s ability to operate from short flight decks is a particular draw for Italian naval and air planners. The LBA Systems model could serve as a template for similar co-production arrangements between Baykar and other European states, deepening Turkish defence industry’s integration into the continent’s supply chains.