Turkish Navy to get drone boats

Türkiye’s first armed unmanned surface vehicles (AUSVs), the ULAQ 12 ASuW Surface Warfare Boat and the ULAQ KAMA Expendable Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), are set to enter service with the Turkish Navy this year.

Developed jointly by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defense, the naval drones are designed for various missions, including anti-surface warfare, undersea warfare, reconnaissance, and support for naval units.

The ULAQ KAMA, a 6.5-meter-long unmanned vessel, carries a 200-kilogram explosive payload designed for high-impact strikes on enemy ships and port infrastructure. The vessel features a reduced radar signature, making it harder to detect, and an autonomous target selection algorithm capable of operating in electronic warfare conditions.

The ULAQ 12 ASuW, a 12-meter-long unmanned combat boat, is designed for engaging surface targets. It is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station featuring a 12.7 mm cannon and a Roketsan missile control system capable of launching laser-guided missiles for precision strikes against maritime and coastal targets.

Commissioning of both systems is expected in the first quarter of 2025.

ARES Shipyard General Manager Oguzhan Pehlivanli highlighted the rapid progress in the development of these naval drones following the prototype delivery of Türkiye’s first armed unmanned surface vehicle.

“We developed the ULAQ 12 ASuW boat in line with the demands of state institutions. By the end of 2021, we began its construction, launched it, and completed preliminary testing. By the end of this month, we will finalize the second phase of testing and deliver it for operational use by the Turkish Naval Forces,” Pehlivanli stated.