Indonesia’s acquisition of Bayraktar TB3 and the possibility of acquiring the Guiseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier might bring up a trilateral cooperation.
Indonesia’s efforts to build a UCAV fleet and advance its navy with more strategic platforms include the acquisition of 60 Bayraktar TB3 marine UCAVs from Turkiye and talks with Italy to acquire the retired Guiseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier. Bayraktar TB3’s fitness for ski-jump takeoff operation from LHDs or aircraft carriers and Italy’s possibility of providing Indonesia with an aircraft carrier might spark a trilateral cooperation.
LBA Systems JV between Turkiye’s Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo as a large-scale cooperation on various UCAVs, including Bayraktar TB3, debuted during the Paris Airshow 2025. Leonardo’s payloads and C2 systems were displayed onboard Baykar’s Bayraktar TB3 and Akıncı UCAVs during the exhibition.
During the JV’s first press meeting, Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani stated that Bayraktar TB3 might be deployed on aircraft carriers. Cingolani added that Bayraktar TB3 will be produced in Italy, and the certification process is set for 2026. This points out to Italian aircraft carriers as Indonesia is still in talks for Guiseppe Garibaldi. Naval News reported that the talks for the ex-Italian Navy carrier are being held in a G2G format.
LBA Systems’ First Business Abroad?
Italy, and by extension LBA Systems, would likely be involved in introducing the carrier-borne UCAV operation capability if Indonesia acquires Guiseppe Garibaldi, given the carrier’s country of origin and Italy’s willingness to operate Bayraktar TB3 as well.
This would also serve as a proving ground for the freshly formed JV in working with countries other than the partnering ones in delivering an emerging capability that few countries are working on.
The State of Bayraktar TB3’s Tests
On the way to operational deployment onboard the Turkish Navy’s TCG Anadolu (L400) LHD, Bayraktar TB3 has performed dozens of takeoffs and landings on the ship, with four prototypes currently in use for tests.
The tests from TCG Anadolu include consecutive takeoffs by two UCAVs, takeoff and landing with munition load, and munition tests (With MAM-L so far).
It is expected that Bayraktar TB3’s test campaign will include LHD-borne tests with heavier munitions like MAM-T glide munition and UAV-122 aeroballistic missile. Both of these munitions have been tested but not with a conventional runway takeoff but not yet with a takeoff from TCG Anadolu. The marine UCAV’s weaponry options will also include the Kemankeş 1 jet-powered loitering munition and Sungur MANPADS.
Poland’s Interest: Exploring Benefits of Ground-Based Use
Not too long ago, Poland-based Defence24 reported that Poland is also considering the acquisition of Bayraktar TB3 following Bayraktar TB2. In addition to operating Bayraktar TB2, Poland also stands out as a ‘modder’ of the platform, with some of the armed UAVs using Leonardo’s Osprey 30 multirole AESA radar.
Bayratkar TB3 offers increased weapons load capacity and higher operational altitude thanks to the PD170 turbodiesel engine. However, what stands out is the UCAV’s capability to take off from shorter distances, perform harsher landings, and its higher resistance to weather disturbances. These advantages in handling stem from the core requirement of Bayraktar TB3: shipborne operation capability.
Reduced runway demand and a more rugged build can be considered ideal for operating from non-standard locations like wide enough roads -a tactic regularly demonstrated by Baltic countries- which provides both survivability and an element of surprise.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
