Rome — August 28, 2025 — One of Italy’s leading newspapers, Panorama, has featured the growing partnership between Turkish defense company Baykar and Italian aerospace giant Leonardo on its front page, describing the collaboration as the production of the “Ferrari of drones.”
In a report titled “Journey Inside the Factory of Italian-Turkish Super Drones”, Panorama highlighted the advanced production facilities at Leonardo’s plant in Italy, where the final assembly of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is scheduled to take place in January.
The article praised the TB3’s advanced features and emphasized its importance in the rapidly expanding European UAV market. Instead of traditional assembly lines, the Leonardo facility reportedly uses high-tech production areas specifically designed for next-generation aerial systems.
A $100 Billion Market
Citing statements from Leonardo, the newspaper reported that the European market for unmanned combat aircraft and aerial vehicles is projected to reach a value of $100 billion over the next decade. The Baykar-Leonardo joint venture is expected to play a decisive role in this sector, ensuring a steady supply of UAVs to meet Europe’s defense needs.
The report also underlined Baykar’s global success, noting that the Turkish company now commands 65 percent of worldwide UAV exports, making it a dominant player in the international drone industry.
“Turkish Drones Everywhere”
Panorama devoted a separate section under the headline “Turkish Drones Everywhere”, outlining the widespread global deployment of Baykar’s UAVs. It praised the TB3 in particular, citing its operational versatility and cutting-edge technology.
By spotlighting the partnership with Leonardo, the Italian daily signaled growing recognition in Europe of Turkey’s rapid ascent in defense technology and unmanned systems — a sector once dominated by American and Israeli firms.
