Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production
The Bayraktar AKINCI drone recently passed 100,000 flight hours. (Photo: Baykar)
Turkish-firm Baykar has completed its acquisition of Piaggo Aerospace, an old Italian aviation firm, where its facilities will serve as a strategic European hub for the company.
For Baykar, who signed the agreement on 30 June, Piaggio’s facilities will serve as a hub to produce both civilian and defence aircraft – including the P180 and Baykar’s uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) AKINCI and TB2.
On 27 December 2024, Baykar signed a preliminary contract to transfer the ownership of Piaggio Aerospace across.
According to Piaggio Aerospace, Baykar has further pledged to maintain current employment at its Villanova d’Albenga and Genoa sites and
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?
While the move to integrate lower-cost missiles onto more combat aircraft is long overdue, there is also an opportunity for cheaper turboprop platforms to perform CUAS roles.
-
What does the FY2027 US budget signal for the country’s future airpower plans?
The record-breaking defence budget request focuses on bolstering some core next-generation aircraft programmes across each domain, although questions remain on the US's commitment to some key defence programmes.
-
Can UK interceptor efforts keep pace with the rising drone threat?
The recent acquisition announcement for Cambridge Aerospace’s Skyhammer solution is a key step in the UK’s efforts to bolster its counter-UAS capabilities, but more still needs to be done to tackle even smaller drone threats.