Italy to Acquire Astore Levante Drones Based on the Bayraktar TB3

The Italian Air Force has begun the procurement process for six Astore Levante strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Conserva announced this at a press conference in Rome, Rivista Italiana Difesa reported.

According to Conserva, the contract has already been signed, and certification of the new aircraft is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.

The agreement provides for the delivery of three systems, each comprising one ground control station and two UAVs.

The final choice of weapons for the new drones has not yet been made. Although the aircraft is primarily designed to carry Turkish MAM-series guided bombs and Baykar Kemankes 1 compact cruise missiles, Italy is also considering options from MBDA and domestic manufacturers.

Developed by LBA Systems, a joint venture between Italy’s Leonardo and Türkiye’s Baykar, the Astore Levante is a specialized version of the Turkish carrier-based Bayraktar TB3 drone. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,450 kg, a payload capacity of up to 280 kg, and an endurance of more than 24 hours.

The new Astore Levante systems will replace the Italian Air Force’s aging U.S.-made MQ-1 Predator drones. They will be used for reconnaissance, fire support, and UAV operator training.