Turkish firm develops new-gen kamikaze drone boat

Turkish state-owned defense company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) has revealed its PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vessel (USV), a system designed to serve as a strike asset for the Turkish Navy once it enters service.

The company said the platform was developed for maritime operations as part of a broader push beyond land and air systems.

MKE said the PİRANA was designed under an “effective, simple, low-cost” concept, aimed at delivering operational impact without relying on complex or expensive platforms.

The PİRANA tactical uncrewed surface vessel can operate both individually and as part of a swarm. In a swarm scenario, some vessels are intended to draw attention from enemy radar and air defense systems, while others approach the target with a low radar cross-section and detonate a warhead to destroy it.

MKE said the system is equipped with both radio frequency (RF) and SATCOM communications, allowing it to be controlled remotely or operate autonomously. Satellite connectivity enables long-distance command and control, removing geographic limitations on its use and allowing operators to guide the vessel from extended ranges.

The PİRANA is capable of speeds exceeding 40 knots and is designed for high maneuverability in time-sensitive operations. It carries a 100-kilogram warhead and has a mission range of more than 200 nautical miles, enabling it to engage targets at extended distances.

In practical terms, the system functions as a maritime loitering munition or “kamikaze” drone boat, designed to approach and strike targets such as ships or coastal infrastructure without a crew onboard. Its combination of speed, range, and remote control options is intended to complicate detection and interception in contested maritime environments.

MKE also highlighted integration with other unmanned systems as a key feature of the program. During tests conducted in 2025, the PİRANA successfully struck a target measuring approximately 3.5 meters in size with a direct hit.

In June 2025 trials, the system was integrated with the Turkish Navy’s amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu and the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle. The company said the USV was initially controlled from a command station aboard the ship before control was transferred to the airborne TB3 drone, which then guided the vessel to its target.

This test demonstrated the ability of unmanned aerial systems to control unmanned surface vessels in real time, a capability that allows operators to extend line-of-sight control and improve targeting flexibility in maritime operations.