Italian Leonardo Brings Bayraktar TB3 Drone to European Market with Astore Levante
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Leonardo unveiled the Astore Levante unmanned aerial system at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, highlighting its joint development with Baykar through LBA Systems. The program strengthens Europe’s access to a carrier-capable tactical drone combining Turkish airframe technology with Leonardo’s advanced mission systems and certification expertise.
Developed from the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle, Astore Levante integrates Leonardo’s mission systems, sensors, payloads, electronic equipment, system integration and certification capabilities into a configuration tailored for European defense requirements. Designed for operations from land bases, aircraft carriers and landing helicopter docks (LHDs), the system reflects the partners’ strategy to deliver a versatile maritime and expeditionary intelligence, surveillance and strike capability for European armed forces.
Related News: Italo-Turkish LBA Systems Presents Akıncı PT-10 Combat Drone for Multi-Domain Operations
The Astore Levante is developed under LBA Systems, a joint venture established by Leonardo and Baykar to design, manufacture, integrate and support unmanned aerial systems. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Beyond the introduction of a new system, the Astore Levante illustrates the strategy adopted by Leonardo and Baykar to adapt an existing platform to European standards. The objective is to build on a platform that has already been developed and fielded while integrating Italian technologies to address European customers’ requirements for certification, logistical support, mission system integration and industrial sovereignty. This approach enables the companies to offer an operational capability within a shorter timeframe than would be required to develop a new platform from scratch.
The Astore Levante is developed under LBA Systems, a joint venture established by Leonardo and Baykar to design, manufacture, integrate and support unmanned aerial systems. The company, equally owned by both groups and headquartered in Italy, is officially announced during the Paris Air Show in June 2025, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Rome in March of the same year. LBA Systems is responsible for the entire lifecycle of the systems developed within the partnership, from design and production to integration and in-service support.
The Bayraktar TB3 represents a significant evolution of the Bayraktar family. Unlike the TB2, it is designed from the outset for carrier-based operations. It features folding wings that allow deployment from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, has a maximum take-off weight of 1,450 kg, a payload capacity of up to 280 kg distributed across six hardpoints, and an endurance exceeding 24 hours. The aircraft can carry a range of Turkish-developed guided munitions, including the MAM-L, MAM-T, Cirit, L-UMTAS and Kuzgun families. Depending on operational requirements, it can also be equipped with an electro-optical surveillance system, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and additional sensors for intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition missions.
These characteristics enable the platform to conduct long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and precision strike missions. For naval forces, a system of this type provides persistent airborne coverage over an operational area without requiring crewed combat aircraft to perform surveillance or support tasks. It can complement a carrier air wing by conducting ISR, target designation, and engagements against low- and medium-value targets, allowing crewed aircraft to focus on more demanding missions.
The system is designed for operations from both land bases and naval platforms, including aircraft carriers and LHDs. This capability addresses the growing interest among several navies in expanding maritime surveillance, intelligence, and power projection capabilities without increasing the number of embarked crewed aircraft. Within this segment, the TB3 occupies a niche that currently has relatively limited competition on the international market.
When announcing the creation of LBA Systems, Leonardo Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cingolani stated that the partnership represented a new step in the company’s international strategy. According to him, combining Leonardo’s expertise in certification, multi-domain integration and mission technologies with Baykar’s unmanned platforms is intended to address evolving defence requirements while creating new commercial opportunities in Europe and international markets.
Baykar Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Selçuk Bayraktar stated that the partnership forms part of the company’s strategy to expand international industrial cooperation. He noted that Leonardo’s expertise in C4I systems and aerospace technologies complements Baykar’s unmanned platforms with the objective of developing a new generation of unmanned systems incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities and interoperability.
The presentation of the Astore Levante represents the first visible outcome of this industrial partnership. Baykar has already established a presence in the European market through the Bayraktar TB2, which has been acquired by Poland, Romania, Croatia and Albania. With the Astore Levante, the objective is therefore not to introduce Baykar to Europe, but to offer a European-adapted version of the Bayraktar TB3, a next-generation unmanned aircraft designed for carrier operations. By integrating mission systems, sensors, electronic equipment, certification, industrial integration and logistical support within a structure based in Italy, Leonardo aims to meet European requirements for industrial sovereignty while facilitating access to a platform that is already available.
For Leonardo, the partnership provides an opportunity to expand its portfolio in the carrier-capable MALE unmanned aircraft segment without developing an entirely new platform. For Baykar, it offers a means of expanding the presence of the Bayraktar family across Europe by relying on an established European defence company. As several European navies continue to seek long-endurance maritime surveillance, intelligence and precision strike capabilities deployable from aircraft carriers and amphibious ships, the Astore Levante could become an option for future carrier-based unmanned aircraft programmes.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition GroupErwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Leonardo unveiled the Astore Levante unmanned aerial system at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, highlighting its joint development with Baykar through LBA Systems. The program strengthens Europe’s access to a carrier-capable tactical drone combining Turkish airframe technology with Leonardo’s advanced mission systems and certification expertise.
Developed from the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle, Astore Levante integrates Leonardo’s mission systems, sensors, payloads, electronic equipment, system integration and certification capabilities into a configuration tailored for European defense requirements. Designed for operations from land bases, aircraft carriers and landing helicopter docks (LHDs), the system reflects the partners’ strategy to deliver a versatile maritime and expeditionary intelligence, surveillance and strike capability for European armed forces.
Related News: Italo-Turkish LBA Systems Presents Akıncı PT-10 Combat Drone for Multi-Domain Operations
The Astore Levante is developed under LBA Systems, a joint venture established by Leonardo and Baykar to design, manufacture, integrate and support unmanned aerial systems. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Beyond the introduction of a new system, the Astore Levante illustrates the strategy adopted by Leonardo and Baykar to adapt an existing platform to European standards. The objective is to build on a platform that has already been developed and fielded while integrating Italian technologies to address European customers’ requirements for certification, logistical support, mission system integration and industrial sovereignty. This approach enables the companies to offer an operational capability within a shorter timeframe than would be required to develop a new platform from scratch.
The Astore Levante is developed under LBA Systems, a joint venture established by Leonardo and Baykar to design, manufacture, integrate and support unmanned aerial systems. The company, equally owned by both groups and headquartered in Italy, is officially announced during the Paris Air Show in June 2025, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Rome in March of the same year. LBA Systems is responsible for the entire lifecycle of the systems developed within the partnership, from design and production to integration and in-service support.
The Bayraktar TB3 represents a significant evolution of the Bayraktar family. Unlike the TB2, it is designed from the outset for carrier-based operations. It features folding wings that allow deployment from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, has a maximum take-off weight of 1,450 kg, a payload capacity of up to 280 kg distributed across six hardpoints, and an endurance exceeding 24 hours. The aircraft can carry a range of Turkish-developed guided munitions, including the MAM-L, MAM-T, Cirit, L-UMTAS and Kuzgun families. Depending on operational requirements, it can also be equipped with an electro-optical surveillance system, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and additional sensors for intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition missions.
These characteristics enable the platform to conduct long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and precision strike missions. For naval forces, a system of this type provides persistent airborne coverage over an operational area without requiring crewed combat aircraft to perform surveillance or support tasks. It can complement a carrier air wing by conducting ISR, target designation, and engagements against low- and medium-value targets, allowing crewed aircraft to focus on more demanding missions.
The system is designed for operations from both land bases and naval platforms, including aircraft carriers and LHDs. This capability addresses the growing interest among several navies in expanding maritime surveillance, intelligence, and power projection capabilities without increasing the number of embarked crewed aircraft. Within this segment, the TB3 occupies a niche that currently has relatively limited competition on the international market.
When announcing the creation of LBA Systems, Leonardo Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cingolani stated that the partnership represented a new step in the company’s international strategy. According to him, combining Leonardo’s expertise in certification, multi-domain integration and mission technologies with Baykar’s unmanned platforms is intended to address evolving defence requirements while creating new commercial opportunities in Europe and international markets.
Baykar Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Selçuk Bayraktar stated that the partnership forms part of the company’s strategy to expand international industrial cooperation. He noted that Leonardo’s expertise in C4I systems and aerospace technologies complements Baykar’s unmanned platforms with the objective of developing a new generation of unmanned systems incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities and interoperability.
The presentation of the Astore Levante represents the first visible outcome of this industrial partnership. Baykar has already established a presence in the European market through the Bayraktar TB2, which has been acquired by Poland, Romania, Croatia and Albania. With the Astore Levante, the objective is therefore not to introduce Baykar to Europe, but to offer a European-adapted version of the Bayraktar TB3, a next-generation unmanned aircraft designed for carrier operations. By integrating mission systems, sensors, electronic equipment, certification, industrial integration and logistical support within a structure based in Italy, Leonardo aims to meet European requirements for industrial sovereignty while facilitating access to a platform that is already available.
For Leonardo, the partnership provides an opportunity to expand its portfolio in the carrier-capable MALE unmanned aircraft segment without developing an entirely new platform. For Baykar, it offers a means of expanding the presence of the Bayraktar family across Europe by relying on an established European defence company. As several European navies continue to seek long-endurance maritime surveillance, intelligence and precision strike capabilities deployable from aircraft carriers and amphibious ships, the Astore Levante could become an option for future carrier-based unmanned aircraft programmes.
Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.
