The Italian Navy is preparing to introduce Bayraktar TB3 drones on the aircraft carrier Cavour, in a program that would expand the embarked air capabilities of the fleet.
Italy would thus become the first European operator of the navalized unmanned aircraft produced by the Turkish Baykar, while the integration would mark the Navy’s first adoption of a fixed-wing remotely piloted drone capable of operating from a short-deck ship.
The intention to integrate the TB3 on the Cavour was confirmed at the end of March by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, during a parliamentary hearing. And according to the head of the Turkish drone company, Rome is preparing to finalize the order of TB3 drones within a few months.
All the details.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE NAVY
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on March 25, the Navy leadership explained that the acquisition will be made through Leonardo, stating that the TB3 “can be integrated aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour to allow both surveillance and the capability to carry armaments.”
WITHIN THE INDUSTRIAL SCOPE OF THE JV BETWEEN LEONARDO AND BAYKAR
Last June, the Italian defense and aerospace giant and the Turkish drone company indeed established a 50-50 joint venture, based in Italy, dedicated to the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems. Named LBA Systems, the joint venture will develop and produce drones by combining Baykar’s platforms with Leonardo’s expertise in electronics and sensors.
THE POSITION OF THE TURKISH DRONE COMPANY
The formal acquisition by Italy of an unspecified number of Turkish TB3 combat drones is expected in the third quarter of this year, Baykar’s CEO Haluk Bayraktar said yesterday to Breaking Defense.
Baykar explained that the platforms will be built at the Ronchi dei Legionari plant in Northern Italy, which, according to a Leonardo statement, serves as a “center of excellence” for unmanned systems.
ITALY FIRST EUROPEAN CUSTOMER OF THE TB3
Once the order is finalized, Italy would become the first European country to equip itself with the TB3 besides Turkey. The system represents a navalized and more advanced version of the Bayraktar TB2, designed for operations on naval units with a short deck.
The introduction of the drone would mark a significant step in the evolution of the Navy’s capabilities, which already employs unmanned systems for surveillance activities and is accelerating the integration of autonomous platforms across various operational domains.
FEATURES OF THE BAYRAKTAR TB3 DRONE
The TB3 was specifically developed for naval use and features design characteristics intended for use aboard ships. These include foldable wings to facilitate storage, a reinforced structure to operate in maritime environments, and multirole capabilities ranging from reconnaissance to light attack.
OPERATIONAL IMPACT ON THE CAVOUR AIRCRAFT CARRIER
Furthermore, the integration of the TB3 would expand the range of embarked air capabilities of the Navy, complementing crewed aircraft without replacing them. According to information available on the Italian Navy’s website, the aircraft carrier Cavour can embark a mixed fleet of between 20 and 24 aircraft including fixed-wing planes and helicopters, with the F-35B as the main asset.
For the Italian Navy, the introduction of such aircraft could strengthen long-range intervention capabilities, thanks to the possibility of conducting longer missions with lower operational costs compared to traditional fighters and with reduced risks for personnel.
THE NAVY’S UNMANNED STRATEGY
Finally, this program is part of a broader plan to enhance the Italian Navy’s unmanned capabilities, confirming Italy’s strategy of expanding naval capabilities through the progressive integration of unmanned systems in the air, naval, and underwater domains.
