According to information published by Meteksan on October 30, 2024, a landmark agreement has been signed between Turkey and Qatar at the Milipol Qatar 2024 Exhibition. The contract between the Qatar Ministry of Interior and Turkish defense company ARES Shipyard covers the export of the ULAQ 11 Port and Base Security Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), marking Turkey’s first-ever export of an unmanned surface vessel.
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Artist rendering of the future ULAQ Unmanned Surface Vessel. (Picture source: Meteksan)

This agreement is a testament to the Turkish defense industry’s growing prowess in autonomous maritime technology. The ULAQ 11 USV, designed specifically for port and base protection missions, boasts advanced features that will enhance Qatar’s capabilities in safeguarding critical maritime infrastructures. This state-of-the-art vessel is equipped with cutting-edge sensors, communication systems, and AI-driven operational functions, allowing it to perform high-precision surveillance, threat detection, and defensive maneuvers without a human crew.

Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are reshaping modern naval warfare by offering advanced capabilities for reconnaissance, combat, and strategic operations without endangering human personnel. They are pivotal in asymmetric warfare, where cost-effective and agile responses are required to address diverse threats, from enemy warships to unconventional combatants like terrorists or pirates. USVs can perform high-risk missions, as they are significantly cheaper than manned vessels and reduce the potential for loss of human life.

In high-stakes environments, USVs excel by enhancing situational awareness through their advanced sensor systems and autonomous functionalities. Their ability to carry out surveillance in contested zones—often referred to as “denied areas”—means they can gather critical intelligence and transmit it in real-time. These features are especially useful for long-range targeting, monitoring enemy movements, and detecting potential underwater threats such as submarines. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated the tactical advantages of USVs, with Ukraine using “kamikaze” USVs to target Russian naval assets, a strategy that forced the Russian fleet to adjust its positioning. These incidents highlight how effective USVs can be in attacking large, well-defended vessels by striking them at vulnerable points along the waterline.

The versatility of USVs in combat operations is further amplified through “swarming” tactics, where multiple USVs work together in coordinated maneuvers. These formations can overwhelm enemy defenses, protect critical assets, and improve area control. Swarms of USVs could also play a critical role in amphibious assaults by clearing minefields and securing landing zones, thus safeguarding troop landings and reducing risk.

As technology progresses, future USVs are expected to integrate even more sophisticated artificial intelligence, allowing them to autonomously adapt to complex combat environments, avoid detection, and optimize their routes. These advancements may enable USVs to assume roles within carrier strike groups, enhancing the protective envelope around high-value assets like aircraft carriers, as well as in anti-submarine operations where stealth and autonomy are paramount.

The rapid adoption and adaptation of USVs signal a shift in naval strategies globally, with their role likely to expand across various operational scenarios, including infrastructure protection, anti-piracy missions, and other security-focused applications. This shift towards unmanned maritime systems indicates that USVs will play a central role in the future of naval warfare.