Turkey’s Groundbreaking USV Export: ULAQ Drones Make Waves for Qatar’s Coast Guard
ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defense have achieved a remarkable milestone in the defense industry by securing their first export agreement for the ULAQ Armed Unmanned Surface Vessel with Qatar.
The agreement was finalized during the Milipol Qatar Exhibition in partnership with the Qatari Ministry of Interior. This signifies a historic moment for Türkiye, marking the country’s initial foray into the USV export arena.
The ULAQ 11 PSV, a dedicated vessel designed for port security, is meticulously engineered to fulfill the Qatar Coast Guard Command’s requirements for reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the safeguarding of vital infrastructure.
Upon its delivery, the vessel will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which includes a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon system, radar, secure communication systems, and advanced autonomous software.
ARES Shipyard’s Deputy General Manager, Oğuzhan Pehlivanlı, expressed the company’s commitment to producing high-quality USVs with versatile capabilities. The aim is to bolster Türkiye’s position as a leading innovator and reliable partner in the global defense landscape.
Meteksan Defense’s Deputy General Manager, Şükrü Serkan Sevim, emphasized the significance of this export achievement. He pointed out the firm’s dedication to providing solutions that withstand various maritime environments and meet the evolving needs of Türkiye and its allies.
ULAQ 11 unmanned naval systems boast a range of 400 km, a speed of 65 km/h, capabilities for both day and night vision, and a domestically secured communication network, rendering them “more than just a remote-controlled vessel, but an autonomous maritime solution.”
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The journey of ULAQ initiated in 2018, with research and design efforts conducted from 2018 to 2019. The production of the prototype using domestic resources commenced in 2019, followed by the manufacturing phase in June 2020.
ARES Shipyard is responsible for the design, production, and outfitting of the vessels, while its partner Meteksan managed the integration of remote control, autonomous systems, communication links, and data transfer frameworks.
