After transforming global warfare through its unmanned aerial vehicles, Turkey is now writing a new success story at sea. One of the leading players in this emerging field is the ULAQ Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) family, developed by ARES Shipyard. What began in 2019 as an R&D project has evolved into a versatile product line ranging from 4 to 50 meters in length, capable of performing a wide variety of missions.

According to Onur Yıldırım, ARES Shipyard’s Director of Unmanned Systems, the project was born from the belief that “a nation surrounded by seas should also lead in unmanned naval systems.” The ULAQ platform being prepared for the Turkish Navy is a 12-meter surface and anti-submarine warfare vessel, powered by two 460-horsepower diesel marine engines produced by TÜMOSAN, marking the localization of its propulsion system.

ULAQ vessels can perform a wide range of missions — including reconnaissance, base and port defense, surface and underwater warfare, and electronic warfare. Built for swarm operations, ULAQ units can communicate with one another and operate in coordination with manned and unmanned aerial or surface assets. The communication infrastructure is the same as that used in UAVs, meaning one ULAQ can designate a target while another strikes, enabling network-centric naval warfare.

The ULAQ family’s adaptability allows it to be integrated across different naval platforms, including Turkey’s flagship amphibious assault ship, TCG Anadolu. “We can tailor ULAQ for any vessel the Navy chooses,” Yıldırım said, underlining the system’s flexibility.

ULAQ is also a pioneer in the global defense market, being the first USV in the world to secure an export contract. A unit is currently in active service with the Qatar Coast Guard, providing valuable field experience and operational feedback that is being used to further improve the system. “We receive continuous feedback from Qatar’s operational use and use it to upgrade current and future ULAQ variants,” Yıldırım explained.

Among the expanding ULAQ family is the ULAQ KAMA, a “kamikaze USV” variant equipped with insensitive munitions to prevent accidental explosions from bullets or shrapnel impacts — a crucial safety advantage demonstrated in modern naval conflicts. Future configurations are also being developed for naval-based air defense missions, showcasing ULAQ’s modular design and multi-role adaptability.

ARES Shipyard is currently completing production of a ULAQ for the Turkish Navy, which will be delivered in May 2025. Once commissioned, the vessel will enable the Navy to conduct surface warfare, critical infrastructure protection, and anti-submarine missions autonomously.

With its modular design, autonomous capabilities, and proven export success, ULAQ represents a major leap forward in Turkey’s Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan) strategy — strengthening the nation’s presence across surrounding seas and positioning Turkey as a global leader in unmanned naval technologies.