Italy eyes MBDA armaments for new Italo-Turkish drone

The Astore Levante is an unmanned aircraft being developed for Italy. It is derived from Baykar’s TB-3 drone and is designed to combine Turkish aircraft technology with Italian assembly and equipment. Italy plans to use it for surveillance, armed support, and pilot training.

Baykar and Leonardo are building the drone in Italy through LBA Systems, their joint venture. The Astore Levante is due to carry Leonardo sensors. At its Farnborough unveiling, it appeared with Turkish weapons, including Roketsan’s MAM guided-bomb family and Baykar’s KEMANKES-1 mini cruise missile.

The Italian air force is due to acquire six aircraft initially. The drone must be certified by the end of 2026 or early 2027. That certification is considered necessary before the Astore Levante can be sold more widely in Europe.

Italy’s initial purchase totals six Astore Levante drones. The Italian air force will not order them as one undivided fleet. Instead, it will initially acquire three operational systems, each containing two drones.

This structure gives the air force three separate packages for operating the aircraft. The article does not specify the full equipment included in each system beyond its two drones. The purchase is therefore both a numerical order and an initial capability package.

The final size of Italy’s fleet remains open. Air force chief Gen. Antonio Conserva said officials would decide whether to expand the capability later. The drones are intended to replace the Predator MQ-1 and support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, armed operations, and pilot training.

The Astore Levante is being considered with more than one weapons supply route. Its natural armament is Turkish, but Italy is also working with MBDA and small Italian industrial groups. This gives the air force alternatives before it makes a final choice.

At Farnborough, the drone was shown alongside Roketsan’s MAM family of guided bombs and Baykar’s KEMANKES-1 mini cruise missile. These are Turkish armaments. MBDA’s possible weapons would instead come from a European firm, while the smaller Italian groups represent a domestic industrial option.

The article does not describe technical performance differences between the weapons. It shows that the choice currently concerns suppliers and industrial alignment as well as armament. Conserva said no decision had been made, so Turkish weapons remain the natural option while MBDA-related testing continues.

The Astore Levante needs European certification because the article identifies certification as a prerequisite for selling it in Europe. Without that approval, the drone would face a major barrier when the companies seek European customers.

Certification is planned for the end of 2026 or early 2027. This timing gives the developers a target for proving that the new aircraft is ready for the European market. The article does not list the specific tests or standards involved.

The requirement matters commercially as well as technically. Baykar and Leonardo are building the aircraft in Italy, and European certification could make that locally assembled product easier to offer across the region. It also supports Italy’s own planned acquisition, although the article does not say certification alone guarantees sales or military adoption.

Fitting the Astore Levante with European weapons could improve its sales prospects in Europe. The article directly links European armaments with stronger efforts to sell the drone to European customers. Buyers may see a locally supported weapons option as useful when choosing equipment.

The current alternative is clear. Turkish weapons were displayed at Farnborough, including MAM guided bombs and the KEMANKES-1 mini cruise missile. Italy is now testing MBDA armaments and working with small Italian industrial groups. These options could connect the aircraft to European suppliers rather than relying only on Turkish weapons.

The effect on military adoption is not guaranteed. Certification remains due by late 2026 or early 2027, and Italy has not selected its final armament. Still, European weapons could support broader procurement, while Italy’s initial order provides a national user and operational reference.

The Italian air force plans to use the Astore Levante across several missions. Conserva said it will fly intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, provide armed support for troops, and train drone pilots. That gives the aircraft both operational and instructional duties.

Its sensors support the information-gathering role, while its weapons enable armed support. The article says the Astore Levante is due to carry Leonardo sensors. It was also shown with Turkish guided bombs and a mini cruise missile, although Italy is still considering other armament suppliers.

The drone will replace the Predator MQ-1 flown by the air force. The article does not give a detailed reason for the replacement beyond identifying the Astore Levante as its successor. Italy will initially buy six aircraft and may expand the capability after evaluating the first three two-drone systems.

Unmanned aerial vehicles can perform several modern warfare tasks from one platform. They can observe areas, support forces, carry sensors, and deliver weapons. The article specifically connects the Astore Levante with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, armed support, and pilot training.

Sensors collect information about the environment and help an aircraft conduct ISR missions. That information can support decisions and troop operations. Guided weapons add another function: the same drone can attack selected targets or provide armed support. The Astore Levante is planned to carry Leonardo sensors and has been shown with guided bombs and a mini cruise missile.

This combination makes one drone useful in different roles. It can gather information during one mission and support troops during another, depending on its equipment and task. The article focuses on the Astore Levante rather than describing every UAV role, so broader capabilities are stated here as established context.