Bayraktar TB-3 makes first Baltic Sea deployment during Steadfast Dart 2026

Bayraktar TB-3 operations during Steadfast Dart 2026

Multinational Exercise Steadfast Dart 2026 saw the Turkish Navy’s new carrier-borne Bayraktar TB-3 drone deploy to the Baltic Sea for the first time, as part of planned North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) activities. Developed and manufactured by Baykar, the uncrewed aircraft operated from the TCG Anadolu, a landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious assault ship, under the Alliance’s Flexible Deterrence Options, coordinated with Enhanced Vigilance Activities in the Baltic region.

On 20 February 2026, the TB-3 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) completed an eight-hour flight over the Baltic Sea, travelling approximately 1,700 kilometres. The mission took place while the Turkish Maritime Task Force Anadolu was actively involved in both Steadfast Dart 2026 and NATO’s enhanced presence missions on the eastern flank.

During the naval phase of the exercise, conducted off the German city of Kiel, the Bayraktar TB-3 carried out flight and live-fire demonstrations. In one activity, the system autonomously took off from the TCG Anadolu’s short runway and launched a two-round MAM-L munition strike against surface targets, achieving direct hits before automatically landing back on the ship.

Baltic Sea weather conditions and naval aviation milestone

Operations were conducted in difficult weather, with temperatures close to –5 °C, heavy snowfall and strong winds across the Baltic Sea. According to information released by manufacturer Baykar, the Bayraktar TB-3 was the only aircraft able to fly during that stage of the exercise, while other participating air assets remained grounded because of the weather. Ice had to be cleared from the TCG Anadolu’s flight deck to enable take-off and landing manoeuvres.

The system’s involvement in Steadfast Dart 2026 was its first operational demonstration abroad, marking a milestone for the Turkish defence industry in naval aviation. Three Bayraktar TB-3 platforms are currently operational aboard the TCG Anadolu. During the exercise’s next phases, two aircraft are scheduled to take off in succession to conduct a co-ordinated operation using MAM-L and MAM-T munitions.

Baykar stated that it has funded its projects from its own resources since its foundation and that it achieved $2.2 billion in exports in the uncrewed aerial vehicle segment in 2025. Based on figures published by the company, exports accounted for 90% of its revenue in recent years, strengthening its position in the international market for uncrewed combat aerial systems.

Images obtained from Bayraktar.