Italy tests European armaments for new Astore Levante drone
Italy is testing MBDA weapons for its new Italo-Turkish drone, while the French Navy has intercepted a suspected shadow fleet tanker in the Indian Ocean.
Two separate defence developments highlight European military activities in procurement and maritime enforcement. The Italian Air Force is evaluating European armaments for a new drone system, and French naval forces have boarded a tanker suspected of illicit operations far from its shores.
Italian Drone Armament Tests
Italian Air Force chief General Antonio Conserva stated on Monday that tests are underway with European missile firm MBDA to mount its weapons on the new Astore Levante drone. The service plans to acquire six of these drones, which are derived from Turkey's Baykar TB-3 and assembled in Italy by the Leonardo-Baykar joint venture LBA Systems. Certification for the drone is expected by the end of 2026 or in early 2027, a step seen as key for future European sales.
The drone was unveiled at the Farnborough air show in July alongside Turkish armaments like Roketsan's MAM guided bombs. Conserva emphasized that no final armament choice has been made, noting the natural option is Turkish but that activities with MBDA and small Italian groups continue. The Italian Air Force will initially order three systems, each comprising two drones, to replace its aging Predator MQ-1 fleet. These drones will be used for intelligence missions, armed support, and pilot training. Separately, General Conserva expressed support for Germany potentially joining the GCAP sixth-generation fighter program alongside Italy, Japan, and the UK, calling Germany a strategic partner.
French Navy Boards Shadow Tanker
The French Navy intercepted and boarded the shadow fleet oil tanker DF Peak over 450 nautical miles south of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. President Emmanuel Macron stated the operation was conducted under international maritime law due to suspicions the vessel was sailing under a false flag and involved in illegal fuel transport.
The boarding was executed under Article 110 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The French Armed Forces General Staff confirmed the action, and Minister Catherine Vautrin praised the Navy's coordination. While specific assets were not detailed, imagery showed a French Navy AS365 Dauphin N3 helicopter from Flottille 34F, typically embarked on Floréal-class frigates. The local command, FAZSOI, is based at Port-des-Galets in Réunion and operates two Floréal-class frigates and three offshore patrol vessels.
The 2006-built DF Peak is part of a global network of aging tankers used to evade sanctions and petroleum caps. Several European navies have conducted similar operations against such shadow fleet vessels since January 2026. This interception demonstrates France's capability to enforce maritime law across distant sea lanes and combat illicit trade networks.
