The joint venture Leonardo-Baykar, LBA Systems, presents the Astore Levante at Farnborough.
LBA Systems, the joint venture between the Italian defense and aerospace group Leonardo and the Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, has unveiled its first product —the shipborne unmanned aircraft Astore Levante— at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. According to Naval News, the aircraft is already in production at Leonardo’s Italian facilities, with the first deliveries to the Italian Navy expected by the end of 2026.
The Astore Levante is based on the Bayraktar TB3, an unmanned platform designed by Baykar for takeoff and landing on short decks. Leonardo has incorporated its own mission systems and payload integration, adapting the aircraft for European naval operations. The program stands out as one of the few that combines Turkish platform engineering with Italian sensor and electronic warfare capabilities under a single joint venture.
Designed for short decks
The defining feature of the aircraft is its ability to operate from short-deck ships thanks to its folding wings and reinforced landing gear. With autonomous takeoff and landing, the modular and versatile Astore Levante can perform maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and armed reconnaissance.
Among the payloads provided by Leonardo are the LEOSS-T electro-optical/infrared turret, Gabbiano T-80UL and Osprey 20/30 AESA radars, the ESM/ELINT SAGE suite, the Brite Storm jammer, the ULISSES acoustic system, the IFF 428 identification system, and the SDR SRT-800 radio.
The naval heritage of the TB3
The Bayraktar TB3 on which the Astore Levante is based is already in operation with the Turkish Navy aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu. The TB3 is considered one of the first armed drones capable of taking off and landing on a short deck, providing the Astore Levante with a mature starting point for onboard integration.
The Italian Navy plans to deploy the Astore Levante aboard the aircraft carrier Cavour. Naval News reports that Indonesia is also among the export customers, giving the platform users in both a NATO navy and the Asia-Pacific market.
Why it matters
The joint venture demonstrates how Baykar’s international cooperation extends into the realm of naval platforms. Combining a Turkish manufacturer’s airframe with the sensor ecosystem of a consolidated European group indicates that the Turkish defense industry is advancing beyond the export of finished products towards the role of a technology partner in joint production programs.
Sources
- Naval News – “LBA Systems Debuts Astore Levante at Farnborough Ahead of Italian Delivery” – July 24, 2026. Link
- Corporate information from Baykar / Leonardo – For the operational use of the TB3 aboard the TCG Anadolu and the platform’s base.
