In a significant move poised to reshape the European uncrewed aerial systems landscape, Turkey’s Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and the UK’s BAE Systems have officially joined forces. The defense giants have inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to „collaborate on the development of uncrewed air systems,” as announced by TAI on its X account on Thursday. This pact aims to assess „joint opportunities” in the rapidly evolving drone sector.
Forging Future Skies: A Comprehensive Collaboration
Under the terms of the MoU, both companies „will target joint opportunities in the field of future uncrewed air systems,” covering a broad spectrum of drone technologies. A BAE Systems spokesperson confirmed that the agreement will see both organizations „determine objectives, responsibilities and goals to explore opportunities to collaborate in uncrewed air systems (fixed wing, rotary and hybrid) and related technologies.”
A TAI official, speaking to Breaking Defense, shed further light on the partnership’s division of labor. TAI will contribute its extensive experience in unmanned aircraft development and production, while BAE Systems will leverage its network to support the coordination of regional sales across Europe and other territories. Crucially, the official noted that the agreement encompasses TAI’s entire UAV product range, not just a single platform. „It’s a long-term process, and we are still at the very beginning. Both companies will act jointly — we have the UAVs, and they have the connections. Together, we’ll see what can be achieved,” the official added, signaling ambitious but nascent plans.
Turkey’s Expanding Defense Footprint in Europe
This Anglo-Turkish drone collaboration arrives amidst a period of increasing defense ties between Turkey and Europe. Recent milestones include Turkey’s significant deal to procure 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, valued at $10.7 billion, and Spain’s cabinet approval for the acquisition of 45 Hurjet trainers worth $3.62 billion. In July, TAI further solidified its European partnerships by signing a strategic agreement with Airbus for the joint production of the Hurjet.
BAE’s Autonomous Ambitions Intensify
For BAE Systems, this latest drone tie-up with TAI follows a series of strategic moves to bolster its autonomous capabilities. Just two months prior, the company’s FalconWorks rapid prototyping division announced plans to collaborate with Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works on co-developing a family of autonomous drones, starting with an aircraft designed for electronic attack capabilities.
BAE’s FalconWorks drone portfolio already includes notable platforms such as the fixed-wing Koios Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system, the Malloy Aeronautics-produced T-Series all-electric heavy-lift cargo drone, and the PHASA-35 High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) platform. Furthermore, BAE is slated to flight test an Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) in the coming year, having revealed a design of the drone wingman in 2024, as reported by Flight Global. The ACP program is a cornerstone of the UK’s strategic defense review, aiming for systems capable of collaborating with current and future combat aircraft, including the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) sixth-generation platform, and operating from British aircraft carriers.
The burgeoning European-Turkish drone partnership also draws parallels with the joint venture established by Italy’s Leonardo and Turkish prime Baykar, both keen to capitalize on a European aerial uncrewed systems market estimated to exceed $100 billion.
