From the surface to the seabed. ASELSAN will be showcasing the new unmanned naval frontier at Euronaval 2026
Stand: 6 165
The next naval capability may not need a crew at all. As maritime operations become more distributed and contested, unmanned platforms are opening new possibilities for missions where persistence, discretion and calculated risk matter as much as firepower. The question is no longer simply what an unmanned system can carry, but how many can operate together, how independently they can act and how effectively they can complement conventional naval forces.
ASELSAN is bringing this approach to the maritime domain with its TUFAN Unmanned Surface Vehicle and KILIÇ family of Kamikaze Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. Drawing on the company’s established naval systems expertise, these platforms extend autonomous operations from the waterline to the subsurface, combining sensing, communications, autonomy and precision engagement in compact and highly adaptable platforms.
TUFAN: When the Surface Becomes Unmanned
At 8.1 meters in length, TUFAN is built for speed, maneuverability and operational flexibility. Its gasoline engine and waterjet propulsion support rapid movement in demanding maritime environments, while its autonomous navigation and obstacle-avoidance capabilities allow it to operate with reduced operator intervention.
But TUFAN’s real potential lies in how it can operate as part of a team. Its distributed swarm intelligence allows individual vehicles to form coordinated formations and mission-oriented subgroups, assigning different tasks to different elements of the swarm. One group can conduct reconnaissance and surveillance while others focus on engagement, creating a more flexible and resilient operational picture.
TUFAN can also move beyond ISR. Its vision-based target detection and engagement capability enables it to identify and engage surface targets and critical coastal facilities. A modular architecture and multi-layer communication infrastructure further allow the platform to operate independently or as part of a broader naval command network.
KILIÇ: Taking Autonomy Below the Surface
Underwater operations present a different set of challenges. Limited communications, difficult navigation and the need for low detectability make autonomy particularly valuable below the surface.
The KILIÇ family addresses these challenges with two complementary platforms. KILIÇ 10 is a compact, one-person-portable autonomous underwater vehicle designed for covert and asymmetric missions. Its integrated thermal and infrared cameras, underwater low-light imaging, acoustic communications and multiple control modes support detection, tracking and engagement in demanding underwater conditions. With autonomous and swarm operation capabilities, it can be employed individually or as part of a coordinated mission.
For missions requiring greater reach and payload capacity, KILIÇ 200 expands the concept. The larger platform can be transported by USVs and is designed to engage a broader range of maritime targets, including subsea infrastructure, critical port facilities and offshore energy assets. Its autonomous navigation, acoustic communication and swarm capabilities allow it to operate as part of a wider unmanned maritime ecosystem.
