BLUF
Uncrewed aircraft carriers are reshaping maritime influence—lower costs and flexible designs are helping smaller navies adopt air power in ways once limited to major powers. Iran, China, Brazil, Turkey and Portugal are all planning them.Learning Outcomes
• Understand how infrastructure investment supports national resilience: The article outlines how navies are adapting existing or purpose-built vessels to extend their maritime reach with uncrewed systems.
• Explore strategic challenges facing regional actors: It highlights how countries with different resources—like Iran, Turkey, and Portugal—are each adopting drone carriers in line with unique national priorities.
• Recognise the value of cross-sector partnerships: Examples like Portugal's collaboration with Damen underline how shipbuilding and tech partnerships are shaping new naval capabilities.
