Open menu Search

SAHA 2026: Aselsan seeks to replicate Turkey’s UAV success at sea

7th May 2026 - 09:07 GMT | by Harry McNeil in Istanbul, Turkey

RSS

A lively crowd gathered for Aselan’s launch event at SAHA 2026 in İstanbul, where the new uncrewed naval solutions TUFAN and KILIÇ were unveiled. (Photo: Aselsan)

Turkey’s defence electronics company has unveiled two new uncrewed naval systems at SAHA 2026 – but the harder test will be converting it into an export success.

Aselsan unveiled two new uncrewed naval systems – the TUFAN uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) and the KILIÇ family of autonomous underwater strike systems – at SAHA 2026 in Istanbul on 5 May 2026.

TUFAN is designed to perform both offensive and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The platform combines high speed and manoeuvrability with advanced autonomy, enabling deployment in both littoral and open-sea conditions. Its swarm-enabled architecture supports simultaneous tasks including reconnaissance, surveillance and precision engagement.

KILIÇ, meanwhile, represents Aselsan’s entry into the subsurface domain. The family of autonomous underwater strike systems is developed for asymmetric warfare and covert

Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®

A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.

LEARN MORE
Harry McNeil

Author

Harry McNeil


Harry McNeil is Shephard's Naval Reporter. Before joining, he spent almost two years as an …

Read full bio

Share to

Linkedin