The Turkish suicide maritime aircraft program 104 is taking shape: Aersan Tofan, STM Yektu, and Havelsan Squadron are coming to the navy.
According to information reported by Defense Express (en.defence-ua.com), the Turkish suicide USV program has officially received a framework with the purchase of 104 units approved by SSB in February 2026 and allocated to three major local companies. The contract, which is divided into 40 vehicles for Aselsan, 32 for STM, and 32 for Havelsan, elevates the Turkish Navy’s capability for unmanned strikes to the battalion level in a single step. The system’s design philosophy is based on the quad “squadron” concept; 104 vehicles mean 26 tactical squadrons operating simultaneously.
| Total Purchase: 104 suicide USVs | Decision Date: February 2026 (SSB) |
| ASELSAN: 40 Tufan | STM: 32 Yekto |
| HAVELSAN: 32 (model not yet announced) | Squadron Doctrine: Tactical unit consisting of 4 vehicles |
| Sea Trials: June 2026 | Fleet Integration: 2027 |
Background: From Albatros to Tufan and Yekto
According to data supported by SSB published by Anadolu Agency since 2023, Turkey’s first major leap in the field of suicide surface vehicles was the ALBATROS-S developed by Aselsan. In a series of tests conducted in the Black Sea in October 2023, the ALBATROS-S destroyed a target ship within a squadron of eight vehicles; this incident was recorded as the world’s first documented joint attack by an unmanned surface vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Tufan in the new program is considered a relatively large platform in this field: 8.5 meters long, with a maximum speed of about 90 km/h, a range of 370 km, and capable of carrying a warhead equivalent to 250 kg of the Mk 82 class. Meanwhile, STM Yaktu, with its compact structure of 5.8 meters, is a suitable model for faster mass production, lower radar signature, and surprise attack missions in confined waters.
Details: Production Participation in the Program
According to the technical comparisons that appeared in the defense pages of Daily Sabah and the analyses dedicated to the series of Turkish unmanned surface vehicles by Interesting Engineering, the participation among three companies directs the systems towards different mission profiles. Tufan from Aselsan is designed for ambush missions in open sea with a heavy strike role against large payload submarines; while STM Yaktu is designed for short-range, fast, and low-cost operations in crowded environments in bays/channels; while the Havelsan platform is being optimized for a different tactical concept that has not yet been shared with the public. The table below summarizes the comparative chart.
| Specification | ASELSAN Tufan | STM Yaktu | HAVELSAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Quantity | 40 | 32 | 32 |
| Length | 8.5 m | 5.8 m | — |
| Speed | ~90 km/h | Similar (compressed) | — |
| Range | ~370 km | Near the sea | — |
| Warhead | ~250 kg (equivalent to Mk 82) | Not disclosed | — |
| Squadron Size | 4 vehicles | 4 vehicles | 4 vehicles |
NATO and the Regional Context: The Era of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean
As highlighted in Breaking Defense’s analyses of Baykar K2 and STM AI-guided drones in recent months, swarm attacks using unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have become the core doctrine of naval warfare in the Black Sea after 2022. While the Ukrainian USV types Magura and Sea Baby inflicted significant losses on Russian naval elements in Sevastopol, NATO’s eastern flank is eager to quickly integrate this concept into its arsenal. Turkey’s move with 104 platforms represents a nationwide initiative and indicates a new layer of attacks awaiting missions on NATO’s Black Sea front. Under the Blue Homeland doctrine, the defense of the fleet, protection of the exclusive economic zone, and security of approach lines to ports in the Eastern Mediterranean will also shift towards these swarms.
What does this mean for Turkey?
This program is a tangible affirmation of the superiority achieved by the Turkish defense industry in unmanned naval systems globally. The domestic USV series, which began with ARIDA, ULAQ, and MARLIN; has now been enhanced with strike capability with ASELSAN ALBATROS and now Tufan, alongside STM Yaktu. The fact that three major local companies are involved in the same program – a rare occurrence in a sector reliant on foreign suppliers – demonstrates the maturity of Turkey’s local production system. The independence achieved by KAAN in the fifth-generation air dimension, SİPER in strategic air defense, and BAYKAR and TUSAŞ in the drone sector is now crowned by the trio of Aselsan-STM-Havelsan in unmanned surface platforms. The mass production of 104 platforms elevates Turkey to the status of the first NATO country with an advanced USV swarm doctrine.
At the strategic level, the meaning is clear: Turkey is gaining the capability to deter large hostile surface elements in both the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean in a balanced and cost-effective manner. The understanding of “striking from afar and withdrawing” of the Blue Homeland doctrine is being achieved with 104 platforms supported by artificial intelligence. Additionally, this program serves as an important reference for the export line of Turkish companies: parties such as Gulf countries, Pakistan, and Indonesia have entered the official proposal process for Tufan and Yaktu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Tufan and Yaktu? Tufan is a heavy platform measuring 8.5 meters designed for open sea missions. On the other hand, Yaktu is more compact at 5.8 meters; optimized for narrow waters and rapid operations.
What does the concept of a swarm mean? Units of four vehicles work together, engaging in independent missions, continuing the swarm mission even if some are lost, and approaching targets from multiple fronts simultaneously.
Why is the Havelsan model name classified? Havelsan’s USV has a different engineering for its front equipment and mission systems; it seems the company has postponed the official announcement until after the IDEF or SAHA Expo 2026.
What classes of ships will these drones be derived from? The frigate class (TCG Istanbul), MILGEM corvettes, and LST class landing ships are the main physical platforms; operational scenarios based on the pier are also included.
Is the program aimed at export? The first phase is dedicated to the Turkish Navy; however, contracts maintain flexibility for ASELSAN and STM to establish new production lines in case of external demand.
Conclusion
The Turkish kamikaze drone program consisting of 104 platforms is not just a purchasing decision but a doctrinal turning point. Events in the Black Sea have proven that unmanned surface attacks in swarms are the asymmetric weapon in 21st-century naval warfare. Turkey is enhancing its national defense and export lines by bringing this concept to the field through a single-source purchase contract with three local companies.
Sources
- Defence Express (en.defence-ua.com): Four Drones Per Swarm, 104 Total: Turkey’s Kamikaze Maritime Drone Program Takes Shape, May 23, 2026.
- Anadolu Agency (AA): Turkey Tests Kamikaze Naval Drone ‘Albatros’.
- Army Recognition: Turkish Navy Successfully Tests Kamikaze Naval Drone Albatros S (Archive 2023 — Contextual).
- Interesting Engineering: Turkey Unveils Two Swarm-Ready Sea Drones with a Range of 230 Miles.
- Breaking Defense: Baykar Unveils K2 Kamikaze Drone with Swarming Capabilities (Contextual).
- Daily Sabah: Turkish drones team up with kamikaze naval vessel in a landmark joint operation.
