Turkish Navy is expected to add two unmanned systems, ULAQ 12 ASuW and the ULAQ KAMA, to its inventory by the end of 2025, according to Ares Shipyard’s General Manager Oğuzhan Pehlivanlı, who spoke about Shipyard’s recent works.
Additional Members of the ULAQ Family
Designed by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence in Antalya Free Zone, ULAQ USVs keep developing with fresh capabilities. The latest update is ULAQ 12 ASuW, designed for anti-surface warfare (ASuW). Equipped with Roketsan’s Tactical Missile Control System and a 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon turret capable of launching laser-guided missiles, the 12-metre-long craft has completed its tests. Following more tests, it is scheduled to be handed to the Turkish Navy in the first quarter of 2025.
Another well-known variant is the Expendable Unmanned Surface Vessel ULAQ KAMA, intended for high-impact missions. Jointly created by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence, the vessel boasts an insensitive munition produced by Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) Company, guaranteeing that the explosive stays stable even when hit by bullets or shrapnel. ULAQ KAMA is expected to start operations within the year following successful detonation tests on the ground.
Pehlivanlı underlined that following operational needs, the business has been developing new platforms even after delivering the initial prototype of ULAQ.
(Photo Credit Anadolu News Agency)
According to Pehlivanlı, the ULAQ 12 ASuW project started in late 2021 and has undergone intensive testing. “We will finish the second phase of tests and deliver the vessel to the Turkish Naval Forces Command by the end of this month,” he said.
Pehlivanlı underlined its better capacity concerning ULAQ KAMA than similar systems observed in the Russia-Ukraine War.
“The most critical distinction lies in its target selection algorithm,” he explained. “Electronic warfare countermeasures can be highly effective in jamming communication, but our system can autonomously select and engage targets even in a communication-denied environment. This is a unique feature that sets ULAQ KAMA apart globally.”
ULAQ KAMA uses stealth elements and a specifically manufactured explosive created by MKE to improve survivability. Unlike traditional kamikaze boats, which typically fail if attacked by enemy fire, ULAQ KAMA contains 200 kg of insensitive explosives, preserving stability even upon impact. At 6.5 meters in length, the platform offers a fresh benchmark for autonomous naval combat.
USVs from Turkiye have already attracted notice elsewhere. Qatar started as the first export client for the original ULAQ model, and demand from other nations is rising.
“Numerous countries and organisations have expressed interest in ULAQ,” Pehlivanlı revealed. “We anticipate to reveal fresh export deals this year and take great pride in our efforts. In modern combat, unmanned and autonomous technologies have revolutionised everything as they guarantee crew safety and offer unparalleled operational advantages. Our first priorities still include developing these technologies to keep Turkiye’s edge in naval defence.”
