The Italian defender and aerospace group Leonardo is going to work with the Turkish Baykar -based Turkish -based manufacturing company for unmanned systems, a source with knowledge of the issue told Reuters on Friday.

The deal is close to its finalization, the source added.

Unmanned Baykar aircraft have gained worldwide promotion after being used by the Ukrainian army against the Russian forces, as well as in campaigns in Azerbaijan and North Africa.

The company has become one of the most productive exporters of unmanned aircraft worldwide and, in December, bought the Italian aircraft production company Piaggio Aerospace, which was under special management under government control since it filed for protection from creditors in 2018.

The Minister of Industry of Italy shortly thereafter expressed interest in a cooperation between Italy and Baykar.

The Italian RID Defense News Website, which first mentioned the possible Leonardo-Baykar deal, said it could be converted into a consortium.