Türkiye Expands Its Unmanned Maritime Capabilities for Global Export
Türkiye, a leading player in the global armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/UCAV) market, is now leveraging its expertise in the maritime domain. As part of its strategy to protect maritime interests, Ankara has advanced the development of armed Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) within its modern naval force structure.
The first outcome of this initiative is the ULAQ armed USV, which officially entered operational service with the Turkish Naval Forces following deliveries in December. Additionally, a ULAQ 11 Patrol/Surveillance variant was delivered to the Qatar Coast Guard, marking Türkiye’s first international export of an armed USV.
Operational deployment of the ULAQ series has generated significant global interest. Real-world use has provided invaluable feedback for further development, boosting the platform’s appeal to potential users across various regions.
With the endorsement of Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence, Ares Shipyard and ULAQ Global are actively engaging with allied and friendly nations to promote the platform. While priority remains on meeting the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces and Coast Guard, discussions are ongoing with countries in the Gulf region and Far East regarding different ULAQ variants. More export announcements are anticipated throughout 2026.
The ULAQ platform features a modular design, enabling a single craft to be equipped with various payloads for multiple mission types. These payloads support remote or autonomous operation, allowing the platform to perform patrol, surveillance, and armed missions depending on the configuration.
Ongoing development focuses on increasing autonomy, enhancing system redundancy, and refining command-and-control functions, drawing on operational experience, particularly from Qatar deliveries over the past year.
Türkiye is also prioritizing domestic production, with TÜMOSAN engines powering the ULAQ series. Efforts continue to expand the use of locally produced components across propulsion, power and energy management, autonomy systems, mission computers, and payloads, reinforcing Türkiye’s strategic self-reliance in unmanned maritime technologies.
