Two Türkiye-based companies, ARES Shipyard from Antalya, and Ankara-based Meteksan Defense, have announced the ULAQ KAMA Expendable Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).

The announcement of the expendable USV as a military product comes as the use of “sea drones” becomes a viable military tactic, as demonstrated by Ukraine after the invasion of Russia. CNN released exclusive footage this week showing the moment last month when Ukraine used an experimental USV to attack Russia’s bridge to annexed Crimea. The July 17th attack caused damage to the road lanes of the bridge and according to Russian officials, killed two civilians. The Ukrainian military is also using the technology to target Russian military and civilian ships.

In a joint press statement, Utku Alanç, Chief Executive Officer of ARES Shipyard, and Selçuk Kerem Alparslan, President of Meteksan Defence, expressed: “We would like to express with great pride and happiness that the ULAQ Family, Turkey’s first armed unmanned surface vessel, continues to expand. We are aware of how important the ULAQ Unmanned Surface Vessel is for the defense of our country’s blue homeland and the protection of our maritime interests. Today, we are witnessing together that asymmetric practices, just like in the past, continue to have the potential to alter the course of operations, even wars. By blending the most advanced work carried out in this context with the experience we have gained from the ULAQ Family, we are offering the ULAQ KAMA Expendable Unmanned Surface Vessel to the service of our country and allies.

The ULAQ KAMA can also serve as an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform thanks to its uninterruptable communication network, long-range, very low silhouette, and unique sea-worthiness beyond its dimensions. ULAQ KAMA, with its distinct features, will present new and asymmetric options to operational decision-makers.

See also- USMC Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel and Use of Markers for USV Swarm Coordination

Post Image- The ULAQ KAMA Expendable Unmanned Surface Vessel (Image Credit: Ares Shipyard and Meteksan Defense)