Baykar Technologies, the Turkish firm that gained international prominence during the war in Ukraine by supplying hundreds of Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci military drones to Kyiv, is now expanding into aircraft production. It is doing so in Italy through the acquisition of the industrial complexes of Italian Piaggio Aerospace, which had been under extraordinary administration for several years. The deal, officially announced on 1 July 2025, confirms Turkey’s growing interest in Italian aerospace technology and opens new industrial and geopolitical perspectives.
The agreement, finalised six months after the acquisition proposal was formalised in January 2025, includes both Piaggio Aero Industries and Piaggio Aviation. These companies had been placed under administration in 2018 and had long awaited a recovery that failed to materialise. With this operation, Baykar takes control of the Villanova d’Albenga and Genoa plants, where it intends to retain the current workforce and even increase staffing levels as production ramps up.
By acquiring Piaggio Aerospace, the Turkish company not only strengthens its presence in Europe but also aims to diversify its industrial activities by entering the civil aviation and business jet markets. Among its declared plans is the relaunch of the renowned P180 Avanti turboprop, which will be offered in new variants. The main target market is the United States, where the aircraft could carve out a competitive position thanks to its unique aerodynamic design that combines high performance with fuel efficiency.
The P180 Avanti, known for its distinctive pusher configuration with rear-mounted propellers, has long been valued by charter operators and regional airlines. However, it had been in decline due to Piaggio Aerospace’s financial difficulties. Baykar’s intervention now aims to turn it into a strategic product for a new phase of growth, positioning it within a broader industrial development plan that also includes drone production at the Italian sites.
The acquisition comes shortly after the establishment of a joint venture between Baykar and Leonardo. This partnership raises the prospect of a structured technological cooperation in the Mediterranean region, with potential positive effects on the Italian supply chain. The industrial vision behind the operation is led by Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar’s chief technology officer and son-in-law of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
