Turkey’s leading unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufacturer, Baykar, has finalized an agreement to acquire Italy’s Piaggio Aerospace, as announced by the Italian government on December 27. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in European aviation, ensuring the continuation of Piaggio’s legacy while expanding Baykar’s presence in the global defense market. The deal, approved by Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, transfers ownership of Piaggio Aerospace, an aircraft manufacturer and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, to Baykar. Italian Minister of Economic Development Adolfo Urso hailed the agreement as a resolution to years of uncertainty surrounding Piaggio’s future. “After six years of waiting, we are giving Piaggio Aerospace, a strategic asset for our country, a future with a long-term production perspective, safeguarding corporate complexes and workforce,” said Urso.
Founded in 1884 in Genoa, Italy, Piaggio Aerospace has established itself as a prominent name in the global aerospace sector. The company specializes in designing, manufacturing, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft engines, and structural components. Its flagship products include the P.180 Avanti, a versatile aircraft used for liaison, special missions, and maritime patrol. However, the unmanned variant, the P.1HH HammerHead, was previously canceled. Operating from its state-of-the-art aerospace center in Villanova d’Albenga, Piaggio also maintains a robust customer service base in Genoa. The company entered extraordinary receivership in 2018, with its management overseen by Extraordinary Commissioners Vincenzo Nicastro, Davide Rossetti, and Carmelo Cosentino. Despite financial difficulties, Piaggio has retained its reputation as a key player in the executive turboprop and special mission aircraft market.
For Baykar, this acquisition represents a strategic expansion into the European aviation sector. Known as the world’s largest producer of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), Baykar has supplied its Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akıncı drones to 35 countries. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to preserving Piaggio’s historical identity while enhancing its production capabilities. This strategic move adds to the global successes of Türkiye’s aviation industry and ensures that Piaggio’s historical identity is carried into the future through this agreement. The Piaggio Aerospace P.1HH HammerHead is a new, state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions whose combination of performance and operational characteristics is at the very top end of the UAS MALE category.
Baykar outbid multiple competitors for Piaggio, underscoring its ambition to dominate the European aviation and defense market. While financial details and timelines for the acquisition remain undisclosed, the agreement is expected to bolster Baykar’s influence while ensuring the revitalization of Piaggio Aerospace. This deal highlights the increasing integration of European and Turkish defense industries, signaling a growing trend of cross-border collaborations in the aerospace sector. For Italy, the agreement secures the future of a critical national asset, while for Baykar, it opens new opportunities to penetrate European markets and expand its global footprint in defense technology. With this acquisition, both companies are poised to achieve greater innovation and productivity, setting the stage for a new era in unmanned systems and aerospace manufacturing.
