Türkiye’s leading defense technology company HAVELSAN has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italy-based VN Maritime Technologies and Piloda Defence for the development, integration, and commercialization of unmanned and hybrid (manned-unmanned) naval platforms in Italy. The agreement marks a significant step in positioning Türkiye’s advanced autonomous naval capabilities within the European defense market. The parties aim to sign their first procurement contract in Italy during the first half of 2026.

Under the agreement, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence have been authorized as HAVELSAN’s exclusive representatives and industrial partners for all unmanned surface vessel (USV) projects in Italy. Accordingly, all opportunities involving Italian defense forces, coast guard units, public institutions, and private sector entities will be managed through the VN Maritime–Piloda partnership. This structure ensures strong local industrial participation while enabling production, integration, and long-term logistical support to be conducted within Italy.

HAVELSAN will contribute advanced defense technologies to the partnership, including autonomous control systems, mission management software, AI-based perception solutions, and secure communication architectures. These capabilities will enable the platforms to operate in fully autonomous, remotely controlled, or hybrid manned-unmanned modes. The next-generation vessels are designed for a wide range of missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-smuggling operations, port and critical infrastructure protection, coastal security, border control, and search-and-rescue support missions.

VN Maritime Technologies will serve as the prime contractor responsible for high-performance naval platform design, hybrid operational concepts, and overall system integration. Meanwhile, Piloda Shipyard will oversee shipyard infrastructure, local industrial participation, sea trials, acceptance testing, and lifecycle support processes. Production, autonomous system installation, sea trials, demonstrations, maintenance, and sustainment activities will be carried out in Italy with strong local industry involvement.

The collaboration is expected to contribute to long-term defense industrial cooperation between Türkiye and Italy, while strengthening HAVELSAN’s footprint in Europe’s growing unmanned naval systems market. The anticipated first contract in 2026 is intended to serve as the foundation of a broader Italian unmanned naval platform roadmap, paving the way for scalable and high value-added industrial cooperation in the years ahead.