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
-
Latin American fixed-wing capability gaps create openings for industry competition
Transport and tanker aircraft represent a growing opportunity in Latin America as countries in the region increasingly look to replace ageing fleets and reduce dependence on second-hand platforms.
-
US Air Force seeks additional suppliers of bunker bomb warheads
The USAF plans to award up to four contracts to expand production of large penetrator warhead case assemblies supporting the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator and future GBU-76 Next-Generation Penetrator.
-
BAE Systems' UK Combat Air Demonstrator closes in on final assembly
The first render for the demonstrator was unveiled in July 2025, with BAE Systems now aiming for the start of final assembly by the end of 2026 to prepare the aircraft for first flight by 2027.