What is ULAQ? Turkey’s first armed unmanned surface vehicle
ULAQ is Turkey’s first family of armed unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), developed jointly by Ares Shipyard and Meteksan Savunma. The first prototype was launched in February 2021 and scored a target hit with the Roketsan-built Cirit missile in May 2021. The contract signed with Qatar in November 2024 was recorded as Turkey’s first export of an unmanned surface vehicle.
How did ULAQ come about?
The project was announced in October 2020 as a venture launched with the two companies’ own funds. The 11-meter composite-hulled prototype was launched at Antalya in February 2021 and began sea trials the same month. According to the companies, the vehicle has a range of 400 kilometers, a top speed of 65 kilometers per hour (35 knots) and a payload capacity of roughly 2 tons. Its mission systems include a day/night electro-optical suite, an indigenous encrypted communications infrastructure and a jam-resistant GNSS setup.
In May 2021, during the Denizkurdu exercise held as part of TEKNOFEST, the vehicle hit its target with a shot from a four-cell Cirit launcher. The companies announced the test as the world’s first successful firing by an unmanned surface vehicle integrated with a laser-guided missile; this classification is a manufacturer claim. In addition to Cirit, the vehicle also carries a two-cell L-UMTAS configuration.
Which variants make up the family?
Over time, ULAQ evolved from a single platform into a product family. An anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant was unveiled in April 2021; in February 2022, a harbor and facility security version carrying a 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon station completed its firing tests. In August 2023, ULAQ KAMA, with a kamikaze mission profile, was announced. The version to be built under the Qatar contract was announced as the ULAQ 11 PSV port security vehicle.
| Variant | Announced | Mission profile | Main weapon/equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| ULAQ AUSV (prototype) | February 2021 | Reconnaissance-surveillance, surface warfare | 4x Cirit + 2x L-UMTAS |
| ULAQ ASW | April 2021 | Anti-submarine warfare | Concept; torpedo configuration announced |
| RCWS version | February 2022 | Harbor, base and facility protection | 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon station |
| ULAQ KAMA | August 2023 | Kamikaze/countermeasure | Details not officially disclosed |
| ULAQ 11 PSV | November 2024 | Qatar Coast Guard; reconnaissance and facility protection | 12.7 mm RCWS, radar, encrypted communications |
What does the Qatar export mean?
The contract signed with the Qatari Ministry of Interior at the Milipol Qatar show in November 2024 is, according to Naval News, the Turkish defense industry’s first export of an unmanned surface vehicle. The vehicles will be used by the Qatar Coast Guard Command for reconnaissance-surveillance and critical facility protection. The quantity and value of the contract are not officially disclosed. In January 2026, Qatar’s ULAQ was displayed at the DIMDEX show. The sale extended the Qatar track in the yard’s export file beyond boat deliveries.
Division of labor: Ares and Meteksan
Within the project, Ares Shipyard is responsible for platform design and composite production, while Meteksan Savunma handles the mission systems, including communications, the data link and autonomy. The platform carries the yard’s serial-production experience and the high-speed composite hull approach familiar from the HARPOON class into an unmanned architecture. The vehicle can be commanded from mobile ground control stations, headquarters or ships.
Frequently asked questions
Is ULAQ fully autonomous?
The companies state that the vehicle has an architecture that is both remotely operated and capable of carrying out predefined missions autonomously. Weapon release decisions are stated to remain subject to human approval.
What are ULAQ’s range and speed?
According to manufacturer data, a 400-kilometer range and a top speed of 65 km/h (35 knots). No independent test data has been published.
Does the Turkish Navy operate ULAQ?
The vehicle took part in the Denizkurdu 2021 exercise. Whether serial deliveries have been made to the Turkish Navy is not officially disclosed.
Who is the first export customer?
Qatar. The contract signed at Milipol Qatar in November 2024 is Turkey’s first unmanned surface vehicle export; quantity and value were not disclosed.
Which missiles does ULAQ use?
The prototype carries a Roketsan-built four-cell Cirit and a two-cell L-UMTAS. The port security version carries a 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon station.
Sources and verification note
Technical figures were taken from manufacturer statements, and export information from the independent defense press. Accessed: August 13, 2026.
- https://ares.global/media-center/news/turkeys-first-indigenous-armed-unmanned-surface-vehicle-ulaq-ausv-launched
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