The Ukrainian Armed Forces have received a new unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed in Latvia, marking another significant contribution to Ukraine’s maritime defense efforts. The delivery was financed through public donations collected by the Latvia-based charitable platform Ziedot.lv. The unmanned system is intended primarily for reconnaissance, surveillance, and situational awareness missions in contested maritime environments.

The USV was designed and manufactured by Latvian drone producer NEWT21. Featuring a carbon fiber hull, the platform combines lightweight construction with high durability, enabling reliable operations under demanding sea conditions. During testing, the vessel successfully completed a 100-kilometer trial voyage and is capable of operating at ranges of up to 700 kilometers when configured with an optimized payload.

The system supports both fully autonomous missions along pre-programmed routes and remote-controlled operations. It is equipped with electro-optical cameras capable of day and night surveillance, allowing continuous monitoring of maritime activity. To ensure stable and secure data transmission, the unmanned surface vehicle is fitted with a satellite communication terminal provided by Starlink.

Representatives of Ziedot.lv stated that more than €100,000 was raised during the donation campaign, covering both production and delivery costs. Ukrainian personnel completed the necessary training to operate the system toward the end of last year, enabling rapid integration into active service. This shipment represents Latvia’s second delivery of unmanned maritime systems to Ukraine.

Defense analysts emphasize that long-range unmanned surface vehicles have become increasingly important amid the growing use of unmanned systems in the Black Sea region. With this latest contribution from Latvia, Ukraine aims to further strengthen its maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, and defensive capabilities in strategically critical waters.