The Bayraktar TB3 UCAV took to the world stage as part of NATO's Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise. Taking off autonomously from TCG ANADOLU's short runway, Bayraktar TB3 scored direct hits on surface targets with a dual salvo MAM-L strike during a live-fire exercise in the Baltic Sea, successfully completing its first operational demonstration abroad.

GERMANY / KIEL
14 FEBRUARY 2026

The Turkish defense industry has successfully completed yet another milestone in naval aviation. During the naval phase of Steadfast Dart 2026, NATO's largest and most comprehensive exercise of 2026, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV stationed aboard TCG ANADOLU once again proved its mettle with its short-runway autonomous takeoff capability and firepower.

DIRECT HIT IN THE BALTIC SEA
During the exercise, Bayraktar TB3, which took off smoothly from the ship's short runway, destroyed the designated surface targets with pinpoint accuracy in a dual-salvo MAM-L strike. Soldiers from participating nations gave full marks to the indigenous UCAV following its successful strikes against naval targets. Having impressed allied soldiers, Bayraktar TB3 safely landed back on TCG ANADOLU after the precision strikes, completing the mission successfully.

FIRST OPERATIONAL DEMONSTRATION ABROAD
As the world's first UCAV capable of conducting operations by taking off and landing from short-runway ships, Bayraktar TB3's participation holds strategic significance as it marks its first operational demonstration in an overseas theater of operations. While three Bayraktar TB3 UCAVs are currently operational aboard TCG ANADOLU, their performance in a challenging environment like the Baltic Sea has attracted considerable interest from NATO allies.