Italy is assessing the potential acquisition of the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for deployment aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour, following the platform’s operational performance during NATO exercises in 2026.
Speaking before the Italian Parliament, Italian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto confirmed that the service is examining the possibility of procuring the Turkish-developed carrier-capable drone as part of its growing emphasis on unmanned maritime aviation capabilities.
According to Bergotto, the Navy reviewed operational footage of Bayraktar TB3 missions conducted from the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu. He described the system as a versatile platform capable of conducting both intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and precision strike operations.
Any future acquisition would reportedly be implemented through Italy’s defense company Leonardo under an existing cooperation framework with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar. The arrangement would support the integration of the TB3 into the Italian Navy’s carrier aviation ecosystem aboard Cavour.
Carrier-Capable UAV Capability Draws Attention
The Bayraktar TB3 has attracted attention as one of the few operational carrier-capable unmanned systems currently available. European naval forces have explored carrier-based UAV concepts for several years, but few programs have progressed to operational deployment.
Defense analyst Riccardo Gasco noted that European nations have spent years discussing the development of carrier-capable unmanned aircraft without fielding an operational solution. He pointed to the TB3 as an existing platform already demonstrating operational capability at sea.
The UAV’s profile was further strengthened during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise in the Baltic Sea. During the exercise, Bayraktar TB3 aircraft conducted autonomous takeoffs and landings from TCG Anadolu while operating in subzero weather conditions.
The platform also executed live-fire engagements using guided munitions, demonstrating strike capabilities in a maritime operational environment.
Designed for Maritime Strike and ISR Missions
Developed specifically for naval operations, the Bayraktar TB3 features folding wings and is optimized for short-deck carrier and amphibious assault ship operations.
The UAV can carry payloads of up to 280 kilograms and is capable of employing a range of precision-guided weapons, including laser-guided air-to-surface munitions and loitering munitions. The platform is designed to support intelligence gathering, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and strike missions.
The Italian Navy’s aircraft carrier Cavour currently operates F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter aircraft alongside rotary-wing assets. Integration of the TB3 could provide additional ISR coverage and precision engagement capabilities while reducing reliance on crewed aviation assets for certain mission sets.
Bergotto characterized unmanned platforms of this type as force multipliers capable of extending operational reach and improving situational awareness across the battlespace.
Defense Cooperation Between Italy and Türkiye Expands
The Baykar-Leonardo cooperation agreement represents a growing industrial partnership between Türkiye and Italy in the defense sector. Analysts suggest the collaboration could contribute to broader bilateral defense and security cooperation in the future.
The Bayraktar TB3 also continues to gain international interest. Indonesia became the first export customer for the platform in February 2026, and a potential acquisition by Italy would represent a notable endorsement of the system by a NATO member state operating a fixed-wing aircraft carrier.
Such a procurement would further strengthen the TB3’s position within the global market for carrier-capable unmanned aerial systems and expand its operational footprint among allied naval forces.
