In a significant development for European defense procurement, senior Italian naval officials have expressed formal interest in acquiring Turkey’s advanced Bayraktar TB3 armed drone system. Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, disclosed during a parliamentary hearing that the force is particularly focused on expanding its unmanned capabilities.
The revelation came as Admiral Bergotto presented footage of the Bayraktar TB3 successfully operating from the Turkish light aircraft carrier TCG Anadolu. He characterized the drone system as ‘somewhat complex’ but of considerable interest to Italian naval operations. The acquisition pathway would utilize existing defense industry partnerships, with procurement expected to proceed through Italian defense giant Leonardo, building upon a cooperation agreement signed with Turkish manufacturer Baykar last year.
This strategic procurement would enable integration aboard the Italian Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, Cavour, enhancing both surveillance capabilities and offensive potential through weaponized drone operations. The Cavour, comparable in design to Turkey’s TCG Anadolu, represents one of Italy’s most significant naval assets, capable of hosting F-35B fighter jets and various helicopter platforms.
The Turkish drone’s impressive performance during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercises appears to have been a decisive factor. Multiple sources confirm that European allies, including Italy, were particularly impressed by the TB3’s demonstrated ability to operate autonomously in challenging Baltic Sea conditions during February exercises. While traditional allied aircraft faced operational limitations in subzero temperatures, the TB3 drones successfully executed both takeoff and landing maneuvers from the TCG Anadolu and accurately engaged targets with missile fire.
This potential sale represents a significant validation for Turkish defense technology, marking a growing acceptance of Turkish drone systems among NATO members. The Bayraktar TB3, an evolution of the battle-proven TB2 model that saw extensive action in Ukraine, Libya, and Syria, offers enhanced capabilities including a 280kg payload capacity and compatibility with over six types of laser-guided munitions, including air-to-ground smart weapons and supersonic missiles.
Admiral Bergotto emphasized the navy’s strategic view of such unmanned systems as ‘force multipliers’ that substantially enhance both operational effectiveness and surveillance capabilities. Should the acquisition proceed, Italy would join Indonesia, which became the first international customer for the TB3 platform in February.