Türkiye has taken another major step in naval autonomy with the successful live demonstration of PİRANA, a domestically developed kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) by Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE). The test, shared by the Ministry of National Defense (MSB), showcased PİRANA’s seamless integration with the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle, which took off from the amphibious assault ship TCG ANADOLU. Under TB3’s networked control, PİRANA locked onto and struck its designated target with direct precision.

According to the MSB’s statement, the test confirmed that PİRANA brings a new strike dimension to the Turkish Navy. Designed for direct attacks on enemy vessels, covert infiltration of port and base areas, and support or diversionary roles in naval operations, PİRANA combines stealth and agility to perform high-impact asymmetric missions. The system’s low radar cross-section, high hit accuracy, and dynamic maneuver capability were emphasized as major advantages during the live demonstration.

The PİRANA system’s kamikaze function maximizes kinetic and explosive damage upon impact, providing a cost-effective and unmanned alternative to traditional strike assets. When paired with Bayraktar TB3, the system benefits from extended operational range, airborne situational awareness, and real-time remote control — marking one of the first successful integrations of air and sea unmanned strike systems in Türkiye’s defense ecosystem.

With this achievement, Türkiye further strengthens its position in unmanned naval warfare, enhancing its capacity for multi-domain, network-centric operations. The Ministry’s statement highlights that future tests will focus on mass production readiness, fleet integration, and new mission configurations, underscoring Türkiye’s growing expertise in autonomous maritime systems.