Turkish Bayraktar TB3 drones showcase precision strikes during NATO drills

The Turkish attack drone Bayraktar TB3 successfully showcased its combat effectiveness for the first time abroad during NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2026 exercises.

According to Baykar, this marks another significant step for the Turkish defence industry in the development of naval aviation. During the maritime phase of the largest and most extensive NATO 2026 exercises, the Bayraktar TB3, deployed aboard the TCG Anadolu, demonstrated a high level of combat readiness and efficiency thanks to its ability to autonomously take off from a short deck while delivering heavy firepower.

During the exercises, the Bayraktar TB3 conducted a double salvo with MAM-L munitions at a surface target, hitting all targets with full precision. Military personnel from participating countries praised the drone’s successful strikes on maritime targets. After completing its mission, the TB3 safely returned to the TCG Anadolu.

The launch of the Bayraktar TB3 from the TCG Anadolu’s deck during NATO exercises marked the first demonstration of the drone’s operational capabilities abroad. Currently, three Bayraktar TB3 drones are deployed on the TCG Anadolu, and their performance in the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea has attracted increased interest from NATO allies.

In the upcoming stages of the exercises, the Bayraktar TB3’s capabilities will be showcased at the maximum operational level. Planned operations include a coordinated mission of two drones: one executing a double MAM-L salvo and the second striking with a MAM-T munition, launched sequentially from the TCG Anadolu.

On NATO High-Level Observers Day, the Bayraktar TB3 is scheduled to perform a special flight demonstration for the alliance’s top command, including potential long-range operational scenarios.

Defence experts view the deployment of the TCG Anadolu with Bayraktar TB3 drones and the Turkish naval strike group in the Baltic Sea as a key element of deterrence within NATO’s allied defence plans.