BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS), marking a significant expansion of UK–Turkey defense collaboration in the aerospace sector. The agreement aims to accelerate the design and production of scalable, cost-effective drone platforms, combining each company’s strengths in engineering and innovation.
Under the partnership, engineers from both sides will leverage BAE’s deep expertise in combat air, autonomy, and AI-assisted flight control with TAI’s manufacturing and design capabilities in Ankara. The alliance will focus on identifying joint research and development projects that can enhance operational flexibility and affordability across both nations’ future defense programs.
BAE Systems brings extensive experience from experimental projects such as the Mantis and Taranis drones, which laid the foundation for its ongoing work on the “loyal wingman” concept — an autonomous platform designed to operate alongside manned fighters. This system will play a central role in the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, which includes the Tempest sixth-generation fighter jet.
For its part, Turkish Aerospace Industries continues to advance its domestic drone lineup, including the Anka and Aksungur intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms. Its newest model, the Anka III, features a stealthy flying-wing configuration capable of precision strike and electronic warfare missions, while other flagship programs such as the Kaan fifth-generation fighter and Hurjet light combat aircraft demonstrate Turkey’s drive to expand indigenous aerospace capabilities.
