The Turkish defence industry is rewriting the rules of the game in the global aviation market. According to an exclusive report by Tayfun Özberk in the international naval and defence publication navalnews, the Italian Navy is preparing to acquire Bayraktar TB3 UCAVs for operations aboard its flagship, the aircraft carrier Cavour. The Commander of the Italian Navy, Vice Admiral Berutti Bergotto, officially confirmed this strategic acquisition during a speech before the Italian Senate on March 25, 2026. Thus, Italy has become the first European customer for the foldable-wing Bayraktar TB3. Consequently, this historic move enables Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles to be directly integrated into one of NATO's most powerful navies.
The LBA Systems Partnership and Cavour Integration
Operating unmanned aerial vehicles from warships requires much more complex engineering compared to land operations. Aircraft carrier decks are quite narrow, and the salty, windy marine environment rapidly wears down aerial platforms. Baykar engineers specifically developed the TB3 model for these challenging naval conditions. Thanks to its foldable wing structure, the vehicle will occupy minimal space on the deck and in the hangar of the Cavour aircraft carrier. Additionally, its reinforced landing gear and autonomous systems allow for safe landings on short runways.
According to the navalnews report, this massive procurement process will be conducted through an Italian company. Recently, Italian industry giant Leonardo and Baykar established a strategic joint venture called LBA Systems for unmanned systems targeting the European market. Referring to this situation during his presentation to the Senate, Vice Admiral Bergotto, Commander of the Italian Navy, stated: "You know this company has signed a cooperation agreement with Leonardo; therefore, the procurement will be made through Leonardo. The system can be integrated onto the Cavour aircraft carrier. This platform gives us both surveillance and weapon carrying capability." Thus, through this strategic corporate partnership, Italy overcomes bureaucratic hurdles within the European Union to rapidly access Turkish technology.
TCG Anadolu Convinced Europe
The successful operations and exercises of the Turkish Naval Forces played a significant role in Italy's strategic decision. The recently conducted NATO Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise captured the attention of all of Europe. During this challenging naval exercise, the TB3 successfully took off from the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship. The platform flawlessly performed intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and attack missions over the sea.
The Italian military delegation closely monitored the TB3 proving its mettle at sea. Indonesia had previously become the first international customer for the TB3. However, Italy's choice demonstrates that the platform is now officially sought after by Western and advanced navies. In short, Türkiye is now exporting its own "UAV Carrier" concept, created in naval aviation, to continental Europe.
The Joint Operational Doctrine of F-35B and TB3
The Italian Navy currently operates fifth-generation F-35B fighter jets capable of Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) from the Cavour aircraft carrier. Under the new plan, the TB3 will operate alongside these advanced manned fighter jets. Italy will reserve its extremely high-operational-cost F-35Bs for only the most critical and high-risk missions. Conversely, the cost-effective TB3s will take over the hours-long surveillance patrols and low-intensity asymmetric attack missions at sea. Thus, the Italian Navy will gain flexible, multi-layered air power.
Growing Turkish Influence within NATO
Italy's TB3 decision represents a brand new operational doctrine in naval aviation. Warships are no longer solely dependent on expensive, manned jets. As clearly emphasised in the navalnews analysis, the Italian Navy's resolve to integrate a fixed-wing UCAV onto its aircraft carrier definitively cements the role of unmanned systems in future naval warfare.
Türkiye once again proves it is a global technology actor in the defence industry. Our country is selling a strategic aerial platform to Italy, a G7 member with one of NATO's most established navies. In the coming period, the successful integration of the TB3 onto the Cavour aircraft carrier will certainly accelerate other European navies, such as those of Spain or the United Kingdom, in turning towards cost-effective Turkish UCAVs.
