Turkey’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer announced it would produce its infamous TB2 drone platform in Italy, reports The National Interest.

According to a statement released by Baykar, the Akinci UAV will also be developed in collaboration with Piaggio Aerospace.

As detailed by the manufacturer, “The production of the AKINCI and TB2 UAVs – two of the most advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles currently in service – has been designated for Piaggio Aerospace’s facilities to support future market demand.”

The arrangement between Turkey and Italy provides Ankara with an opportunity to extend its export reach throughout Europe.

Back in March, Italian manufacturer Leonardo first penned the drone deal with its Turkish counterpart in a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

In a statement addressing the arrangement, Leonardo will primarily focus on payloads and mission systems, which will be complemented by Baykar’s aircraft portfolio.

 This collaboration will field strong UAV products.

The TB2 has been exported to at least 13 countries to date.

While the Turkish drone has certainly made headlines for its role in aiding Ukraine’s defensive efforts amidst the ongoing war, the TB2 played an outsized role in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020.

Turkey is trying to take advantage of the surge in UAV popularity by making itself an armed drone manufacturing powerhouse.

Baykar’s collaboration with its Italian counterpart in the recent MOU will only enhance Turkey’s global reach when it comes to the UAV market.