Prato Launches Italian-Chinese Venture to Produce Drones for Europe

A new Italian-Chinese joint venture is taking shape in Tuscany. Montebianco Building Fly (MBF), a Prato-based engineering company, has signed an agreement with Gdu-Tech, a major Chinese drone manufacturer, to establish a European hub for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The partnership was formalized in Wuhan, where Gdu-Tech has its headquarters. The Chinese company employs more than 700 people and operates marketing centers in over 30 cities worldwide. By joining forces with MBF, it will now anchor its European presence in Prato.

The new company, Mbf-Gdu Europe, will be responsible for coordinating sales, maintenance, installation, and programming of drones destined for the European market. Particular attention will be given to applications in civil protection and territorial security, fields where UAVs are increasingly valuable for monitoring, prevention, and rapid response.

In addition to commercial activities, the European hub will serve as a research and development center, fostering innovation and expanding into high-potential markets. The agreement is expected to bring investment, create highly qualified jobs, and strengthen Italy’s role as an attractive destination for international high-tech ventures.

For Prato and Tuscany, traditionally associated with textiles and manufacturing, the project represents a step into the fast-growing drone sector, aligning the region with some of the most dynamic trends in technology and industrial development.

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