The joint venture of Leonardo and Baykar — LBA Systems — presented the Astore Levante UAV at Farnborough.
LBA Systems — a joint venture of the Italian defense and aerospace group Leonardo and the Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar — unveiled its first product, the carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle 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.
Astore Levante is built on the Bayraktar TB3 platform, developed by Baykar for takeoff and landing from short decks. Leonardo has added its own mission systems and payload integration, adapting the aircraft for the needs of European maritime operations. The project stands out as one of the few that combines the Turkish platform with Italian sensor systems and electronic warfare capabilities within a single enterprise.
Design for Short Decks
A key 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 multi-role Astore Levante can conduct maritime reconnaissance, electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and armed reconnaissance.
Leonardo’s payload options include the LEOSS-T electro-optical/infrared station, Gabbiano T-80UL and Osprey 20/30 radars with AESA, the SAGE electronic warfare system, the Brite Storm jamming station, the ULISSES acoustic system, the IFF 428 identification system, and the SDR SRT-800 radio station.
Maritime Heritage of TB3
The Bayraktar TB3 drone, which is the basis for the Astore Levante, is already in operation with the Turkish Navy aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu. The TB3 is considered one of the first strike drones capable of taking off and landing on a short deck, providing Astore Levante with a mature starting point for naval integration.
The Italian Navy plans to deploy Astore Levante on the aircraft carrier Cavour. According to Naval News, Indonesia is also among the export customers, ensuring the platform has users both within NATO fleets and in the Asia-Pacific market.
Significance
The project demonstrates that Baykar’s international cooperation extends to the realm of maritime platforms. The combination of the Turkish manufacturer’s airframe with the sensor ecosystem of a reputable European group indicates a shift in Turkish defense industry from exporting finished products to becoming a technological 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 operation of TB3 aboard TCG Anadolu and the base platform.
