The Italian Air Force has announced that it has purchased the Astore Levante unmanned aerial vehicle produced by LBA Systems, the joint venture established through the partnership of Baykar and Leonardo. Six units of the platform, developed on the basis of the Bayraktar TB3 and assembled in Italy, will be procured in the first instance. This order for the Italian Air Force represents a new phase in the Turkish defence industry's export of unmanned aerial vehicles to a NATO and EU member state.
Astore Levante: The Italian Version of the TB3
Astore Levante is positioned as the version of the Bayraktar TB3 to be produced in Italy. The platform, whose name combines "Astore," meaning "hawk" in Italian, with "Levante," referring to the eastern Mediterranean, had previously been displayed on the Leonardo stand at the Farnborough International 2026 airshow. The presentation of the platform alongside national munitions at the exhibition drew attention.
ROKETSAN Munitions to Be Used
It is stated that the Astore Levante, which will serve in the Italian military, will use ROKETSAN munitions. The platform is planned to first serve in the Italian Air Force and subsequently enter the Italian Navy's inventory as well. This dual-force structure points to the platform's flexibility to operate from both land and naval platforms. The Bayraktar TB3 holds the distinction of being the first armed unmanned aerial vehicle capable of taking off from and landing on TCG Anadolu.
Certification to Be Completed Between Late 2026 and Early 2027
The platform's certification process is expected to be completed between late 2026 and early 2027. The Italian Air Force's order of 6 units holds the distinction of being the platform's first official user in the European market. This development is regarded as a tangible output of the cooperation between Baykar and Leonardo, which began under the K-SWARM programme, being carried to an industrial dimension. The two companies had previously successfully demonstrated autonomous formation flight and crewed/uncrewed teaming capabilities between the Leonardo M-346 and KIZILELMA during tests conducted in Çorlu.
Note
If you have any photos or video footage to support our news story, please share them with us using the information provided on our contact us page.
