Spain Eyes Turkey’s TB3 and Navalized Hürjet Amid Debate Over Harrier Replacement

Growing reports of industrial and military contacts between Spain and Turkey are fueling an increasingly visible debate over the future of the Armada Española’s carrier-based aviation capabilities.

In recent weeks, Turkish media outlets and defense publications have linked Spain to two particularly significant Turkish programs: the carrier-capable Bayraktar TB3 and the future navalized TAI Hürjet currently under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries.

While no official confirmation has emerged from Madrid, Ankara, or the companies involved, the broader strategic and industrial context makes such speculation increasingly plausible.

The Harrier Problem

At the center of the discussion lies a well-known issue: Spain’s aging McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II fleet is approaching the end of its operational life, forcing the Spanish Navy to decide what type of carrier aviation capability it wants to maintain in the coming decades.

Until recently, the obvious successor appeared to be the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II — currently the only Western fifth-generation V/STOL fighter available.

However, the program’s high cost, budgetary constraints, and the rapid evolution of naval warfare are opening discussions around more flexible and scalable alternatives.

TB3 and the Rise of Carrier Drones

Within that context, the Bayraktar TB3 has attracted increasing attention. The navalized drone, derived from the TB2, was specifically designed to operate from short-deck vessels such as the Juan Carlos I.

The TB3 features folding wings and is intended for:

• maritime surveillance
• ISR missions
• light strike operations
• expeditionary support

For Turkey, the TB3 forms a key element of the future air wing aboard both the TCG Anadolu and the future MUGEM.

This is precisely where the platform becomes interesting for Spain: it could offer a way to preserve relevant embarked air capabilities without relying exclusively on an expensive manned V/STOL fighter fleet.

Hürjet Naval Enters the Debate

The second major development is the public unveiling of the navalized TAI Hürjet concept during SAHA Expo 2026.

According to information displayed by TUSAŞ and first reported by Turkish defense media, the aircraft is envisioned with:

• STOBAR capability
• possible CATOBAR evolution
• reinforced structure
• strengthened landing gear
• arrestor hook
• aerodynamic modifications for carrier operations

Rather than a simple naval trainer, the aircraft appears designed as a light carrier-based combat platform capable of complementing combat drones aboard the future MUGEM carrier.

Spain’s Industrial Connection

Spain is already indirectly linked to the Hürjet family through the ITS-C / Saeta II program, which will replace the Spanish Air Force’s F-5M fleet using a version developed in cooperation with Airbus and multiple Spanish defense firms.

This makes the Hürjet platform particularly relevant for Spain from an industrial perspective:

• avionics
• simulation
• software
• maintenance
• systems integration

The more the Hürjet family expands — including naval or light attack variants — the more strategically important the program could become for Spanish industry.

A Real Alternative to the F-35B?

For now, presenting the TB3 or Hürjet Naval as direct replacements for the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II would be premature.

The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II remains vastly superior in:

• stealth
• sensors
• network warfare
• air superiority

But the debate is no longer solely about “which fighter to buy.”

The real question is what kind of carrier aviation model Spain wants for the future:

• an LHD centered around V/STOL aircraft
• a mixed force of drones and light manned platforms
• or a future transition toward more complex STOBAR/CATOBAR operations

And in that evolving discussion, Turkey is unexpectedly emerging as a relevant player in Spain’s strategic naval aviation debate.

🇮🇹 Italian Navy explores Bayraktar for its Cavour

 

The Italian Navy is reportedly exploring the use of the Bayraktar TB3 as a carrier-based UAV, with the Cavour emerging as a potential operating platform. While no formal acquisition has been announced, the concept aligns with the Navy’s growing interest in expanding its unmanned capabilities at sea.

The TB3 has been designed for ship-based operations, featuring folding wings and short take-off capability, making it compatible with carriers without catapult systems. This places it within a niche segment of naval UAVs suited to platforms like the Cavour or the LHD Trieste.

A key factor behind the credibility of this option is the existing cooperation between Baykar and Leonardo. Any potential acquisition would likely be framed within this industrial partnership, allowing for the integration of Italian systems and aligning the platform more closely with European requirements.

At this stage, the TB3 should be understood as one of several possible options rather than a confirmed program. However, the combination of operational fit and industrial cooperation makes it a plausible candidate as the Italian Navy continues to define its future unmanned aviation capability.

Turkey Accelerates Construction of Its First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, Launch Target Set for 2027

 

Turkey appears to be moving ahead at pace with the construction of its first indigenous aircraft carrier under the MUGEM National Aircraft Carrier program. According to statements by Rear Admiral Recep Erdinç Yetkin, commander of the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, the project has already reached several key milestones, with the steel cutting phase completed and testing infrastructure for aircraft operations now finished.

The Turkish Navy is reportedly aiming to launch the ship by the end of 2027, a timeline that suggests Ankara is accelerating its ambitions to join the small group of nations capable of building and operating large aircraft carriers.

While the launch date does not mean the ship will enter service immediately—major warships typically require several years of fitting-out and sea trials—the target indicates that Turkey intends to move quickly in developing a new generation of naval aviation capabilities.

A Larger Step Beyond TCG Anadolu

The new carrier would represent a significant leap beyond Turkey’s current flagship, the TCG Anadolu, which entered service in 2023 as a light aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ship.

Unlike Anadolu, which displaces around 27,000 tons, the MUGEM carrier is expected to reach approximately 55,000–60,000 tons, placing it in the same general size category as the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier operated by the United Kingdom.

Preliminary figures discussed by Turkish defense sources suggest the new ship could measure around 285–300 meters in length, with a wide flight deck equipped with a ski-jump ramp and multiple aircraft elevators.

A Drone-Centric Air Wing

What makes the MUGEM project particularly interesting is its unconventional aviation concept. Rather than relying primarily on traditional carrier fighters, Turkey is investing heavily in unmanned combat aircraft designed for naval operations.

Among the systems expected to operate from the carrier are:

• Bayraktar TB3, a navalized drone with folding wings designed for ski-jump takeoffs
• Bayraktar Kızılelma, a jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft capable of air-to-air and strike missions

These drones are being developed primarily by Baykar, in coordination with the Turkish defense industry.

If this concept materializes as planned, the MUGEM carrier could operate dozens of unmanned aircraft simultaneously, creating a highly distributed and flexible air wing.

The Possibility of a Naval Hürjet

In addition to drones, Turkish planners have also discussed the possibility of a navalized version of the TAI Hürjet, the country’s new advanced jet trainer developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries.

A carrier-capable Hürjet would likely require structural reinforcement and an arrestor hook for deck landings. However, since the current design of the MUGEM carrier is believed to rely on a ski-jump launch system rather than catapults, the feasibility of operating such aircraft from the ship remains uncertain.

For now, drones appear to be the primary focus of Turkey’s future naval aviation plans.

A Potential First in Naval Aviation

If Turkey successfully integrates large numbers of combat drones into its carrier air wing, the MUGEM project could represent a significant shift in naval warfare concepts.

In fact, Turkey could end up fielding the first carrier air wing dominated by drones, something that even the United States Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy have not yet achieved.

While both navies are experimenting with unmanned systems, neither currently operates a carrier whose air wing is designed primarily around drones.

Looking Toward the 2030s

Even if the ship is launched in 2027, analysts expect several years of testing and integration before the vessel becomes operational. A realistic timeline for entry into service could place the MUGEM carrier in the early 2030s.

Still, the project highlights Turkey’s ambition to become a major naval power with indigenous carrier-building capability, while simultaneously experimenting with new concepts in naval aviation that could influence the future of carrier operations worldwide.

Bayraktar TB3 Proves Naval Strike Capabilities with Autonomous Flights from TCG Anadolu

Baykar’s TB3 drone completes four successful autonomous takeoffs and landings from TCG Anadolu, confirming Turkey’s leap into naval drone warfare.

The Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has marked a historic milestone for Turkey’s naval aviation. Successfully conducting four autonomous takeoffs and landings aboard the TCG Anadolu, the TB3 confirms its readiness for carrier-based operations—ushering in a new era of drone-enabled maritime strike capabilities.

Turkey has taken a major step in integrating unmanned aerial capabilities with naval operations. The Bayraktar TB3 UCAV, developed by Baykar, has completed four fully autonomous flights—including takeoff and landing—from the deck of the TCG Anadolu, Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship and drone carrier.

The milestone confirms the TB3’s ability to operate in maritime environments, adding strategic flexibility to Turkey’s power projection in the region. The TB3 is unique in its class, capable of folding its wings for compact storage aboard ships, and performing precision strike and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) missions.

Conducted in April 2025, the trials included day and night missions and tested the TB3’s autonomous control systems in takeoff and landing scenarios on a moving deck. The flights were carried out without pilot intervention, showcasing advanced AI flight algorithms and robust naval interface integration.

The TCG Anadolu was originally intended to host F-35B jets, but after the U.S. removed Turkey from the F-35 program, the Turkish Navy shifted toward an indigenous drone-based concept of operations. The TB3, alongside the upcoming jet-powered Kızılelma, now forms the core of this innovative carrier aviation strategy.

This achievement positions Turkey as one of the few nations to successfully integrate UCAVs with naval operations. The TB3's operational readiness aboard Anadolu significantly enhances Turkey’s surveillance and strike capabilities across maritime zones, from the Mediterranean to the Aegean and beyond.

The successful deployment of the Bayraktar TB3 from TCG Anadolu marks a pivotal moment for naval aviation and drone warfare. As Turkey pushes forward with its indigenous defense initiatives, the TB3 stands as a symbol of innovation and strategic autonomy at sea.