Turkey will export its first domestically produced unmanned surface vessel to Qatar as part of a recent agreement signed between two Turkish defense companies and the Qatar Ministry of Interior, the Belgium-based Business AM news outlet reported.
The agreement was signed at the Milipol Qatar 2024 exhibition held recently in Doha, renowned for showcasing cutting-edge homeland security technologies, shortly before Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Turkey on November 14.
The agreement between Qatar and Turkish defense firms Meteksan Defence and ARES Shipyard marks Turkey’s first export of the ULAQ 11 port security vessel (PSV).
This export is especially notable as it marks Turkey’s entry into the global unmanned maritime vehicle market, an industry poised for growth as countries seek innovative solutions to bolster their maritime security.
The Qatari Coast Guard will deploy the ULAQ 11 PSV for crucial tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering and protection of critical infrastructure.
The vessel boasts advanced features, including a 12.7-millimeter remote-controlled weapon system, radar capabilities, encrypted communication systems and sophisticated autonomous software integrated into a robust platform.
Oğuzhan Pehlivanlı, deputy general manager of ARES Shipyard, told the pro-government Daily Sabah that the shipyard is committed to developing world-class USVs with a range of concepts and payloads, highlighting his company’s goal to position Turkey as a leading innovator and trusted partner in the rapidly evolving USV market.
Deputy General Manager of Meteksan Defence Autonomous Systems Şükrü Serkan Sevim expressed pride in reaching this “historic” export milestone, saying that his company is dedicated to serving Turkey and its allies, ensuring that its products are optimally suited to a variety of naval environments and continuously improving technological capabilities.
The ULAQ is designed to support a broad spectrum of maritime operations. Introduced in October 2020, the ULAQ has a range of 400 kilometers and can reach speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour. It is equipped with advanced day/night vision systems and encrypted communication technologies, allowing remote control from mobile units, naval headquarters or various maritime platforms, including aircraft carriers and frigates.
The initial prototype of the ULAQ featured four Cirit laser-guided missiles and two L-UMTAS long-range anti-tank missiles, developed by Turkish defense company Roketsan. During the Turkish Navy’s Denizkurdu-2021 exercise in May 2021, the ULAQ successfully conducted missile tests against land targets, completing its acceptance trials for anti-surface warfare capabilities.