Baykar and Leonardo are ready to reveal manned-unmanned teaming technology at the Farnborough International Airshow

Turkish defense company Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo are set to unveil new developments in their collaboration on manned-unmanned teaming technology at the Farnborough International Airshow, as the partners advance efforts to develop next-generation air combat capabilities. The show takes place on July 20-24

The companies will hold a joint briefing Monday at the aerospace and defense exhibition in the United Kingdom, where they are expected to present results from recent integration trials and outline the next phase of their cooperation.

The presentation will highlight testing carried out in Türkiye involving Leonardo’s M-346 advanced jet trainer and Baykar’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft. The companies are expected to share key findings from the trials and discuss future work as the program moves into a new stage of development. (By the way I have a story here about drones in Turkey)

Baykar will also display its Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle during the exhibition. The aircraft, designed to operate from short-runway platforms, is being positioned as one of the flagship products supporting the European expansion plans of LBA Systems, the joint venture established by Baykar and Leonardo.

The Baykar-Leonardo partnership is viewed as part of broader European effort

The TB3’s appearance at Farnborough is expected to demonstrate that the partnership has progressed beyond research and testing, with operational unmanned platforms forming part of the companies’ long-term strategy.

Holding the announcements at one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions is also expected to highlight the partners’ ambitions to strengthen cooperation with European customers and NATO allies in the growing market for unmanned defense technologies.

The Baykar-Leonardo partnership is viewed as part of broader European efforts to accelerate the development of unmanned aerial systems and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities, allowing military aircraft and autonomous platforms to operate together during missions.

Baykar and Leonardo first agreed to cooperate through a memorandum of understanding signed in Rome in March 2025. The companies later formalized the partnership by establishing LBA Systems during the Paris Air Show in June 2025.

Based in Italy and jointly owned by the two companies, LBA Systems focuses on the design, development, production and lifecycle support of unmanned aerial systems.

Under the agreement, Baykar contributes its expertise in developing unmanned aircraft, while Leonardo provides electronic systems, mission payloads, certification support and technologies for manned-unmanned teaming and autonomous swarm operations. The companies say the venture is intended to play a leading role in the future development of unmanned aviation.