Brookings Analysis: Bayraktar TB3 on Cavour Illustrates Turkey’s Deepening European Defense Integration

A recent analytical report published by the U.S.-based think tank Brookings Institution highlights a significant transformation in Turkey’s role within the European defense industrial landscape. The analysis posits that while Turkey remains outside the formal architecture of the European Union’s developing defense framework, its defense industry is becoming increasingly interwoven with Europe’s production, certification, mission systems, and logistics infrastructure.

According to the report, the fundamental question for Europe has shifted. It is no longer “whether” to cooperate with Turkey on defense matters, but rather “how” this cooperation can evolve beyond ad-hoc, temporary partnerships into more institutionalized and enduring structures.

The most compelling illustration of this evolving relationship is found in Italy. The Italian Navy’s contemplation of deploying the Bayraktar TB3 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), developed by Turkish firm BAYKAR, aboard its Cavour aircraft carrier, is not merely viewed as a platform acquisition. Brookings interprets this decision as a nascent integration of the Turkish defense industry into the broader European defense ecosystem.

Central to this integration process is the 2025 establishment of LBA Systems, a joint venture between BAYKAR and Italian defense giant Leonardo. This partnership signifies a strategic repositioning of BAYKAR, moving beyond a simple product vendor to becoming a strategic industrial partner alongside one of Europe’s largest defense contractors.

The report underscores that the Bayraktar TB3 represents more than just a new uncrewed aerial vehicle for Europe. Following the conflict in Ukraine, naval operational concepts have undergone substantial changes, with long-range precision strike systems, anti-ship missiles, loitering munitions, and other uncrewed platforms fundamentally reshaping traditional aircraft carrier operations. In this context, the Cavour-TB3 combination is assessed to offer Italy enhanced mission endurance and expanded operational reach at a comparatively lower cost.

Brookings’ analysis further indicates that Turkey’s ascendance in the European defense industry extends beyond Italy. Diverse examples cited include Spain’s collaboration on the HÜRJET advanced jet trainer program, Poland’s procurement of the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and joint electronic warfare initiatives, Romania’s projects involving naval platforms and armored vehicles, Portugal’s preference for Turkish-manufactured naval assets, and the United Kingdom’s ongoing discussions concerning the Eurofighter Typhoon program.

Additionally, a strategic partnership forged in May 2026 between Baykar and Safran Electronics & Defense is identified as a critical indicator of Europe’s evolving perception of Turkey as a defense partner.

The report characterizes Turkey as a “defense near-shoring” hub for Europe. Turkish defense companies, through their cost-effective manufacturing capabilities, openness to co-production, agile supply chains, and extensive real-world combat experience, are uniquely positioned to swiftly address Europe’s burgeoning defense requirements. Consequently, Turkey’s integration into the European defense ecosystem is largely manifesting through industrial channels—factories, joint ventures, prime contractor relationships, and supply chains—rather than exclusively via political mechanisms.

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