ULAQ KAMA Debuts at IDEF 2025 as Türkiye Reinforces Asymmetric Naval Defense with Autonomous Strike Drones.

At the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye presented its newest unmanned surface vessel, the ULAQ KAMA, designed for expendable, high-impact missions in contested maritime zones. Developed by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence, the vessel marks a significant evolution in autonomous naval warfare. As regional tensions escalate and naval threats diversify, the ULAQ KAMA emerges as a key player in Türkiye’s strategy to assert control and deterrence over its maritime domains. The presentation confirms Ankara's continued investment in disruptive, cost-effective technologies to support NATO and national security.
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ULAQ KAMA’s reveal at IDEF 2025 reinforces Türkiye’s position as a leading innovator in the field of unmanned naval warfare. As the geopolitical landscape calls for resilient, flexible, and attritable systems, KAMA introduces a new operational concept designed to overwhelm, disrupt, and deter (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The ULAQ KAMA is an expendable unmanned surface vessel (USV) engineered for high-speed, high-risk operations. Measuring 6.37 meters in length and with a draft of only 0.30 meters, the platform is constructed from advanced composites to ensure both durability and low observability. Powered by a high-performance inboard engine and waterjet propulsion system, ULAQ KAMA reaches speeds of over 50 knots and boasts a range exceeding 200 nautical miles. Its payload capacity reaches 200 kg, allowing it to carry a lethal warhead or specialized ISR equipment. Beyond its kinetic role, it is equipped with a robust sensor suite including AI-assisted GNSS, differential GNSS receivers, satellite communications, stabilized pan-tilt cameras, and optional thermal imaging modules. This enables remote, semi-autonomous, or fully autonomous operations using visual navigation, even under GPS-denied conditions. Its low-profile hull and sea state endurance up to level 4 give it stealthy approach capabilities in moderately rough waters.

The KAMA model is the latest in the expanding ULAQ USV family, Türkiye’s first indigenous armed unmanned surface platform lineage. First revealed in 2021, the ULAQ series has undergone incremental development through real-world testing and operational feedback. ULAQ KAMA responds to the growing demand for scalable, expendable naval platforms that blend ISR functionality with direct strike capabilities. Its development has been directly shaped by emerging threats, particularly those observed during the Russo-Ukrainian War and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, where cheap, agile drone boats have disrupted major naval operations. Leveraging lessons from these asymmetric engagements, ULAQ KAMA prioritizes affordability, rapid deployment, and mission flexibility. Its ability to match predefined targets visually and trigger payload detonation either remotely or upon contact enhances its threat potential while preserving operator control when needed.

Compared with similar platforms globally, ULAQ KAMA stands out due to its combination of speed, operational autonomy, and ISR-strike integration. While Ukraine’s MAGURA V5 naval drones have shown effectiveness through direct strikes on larger naval targets, they lack the comprehensive ISR and autonomous navigation features seen in ULAQ KAMA. Western alternatives like the U.S. Navy’s MUSV program focus on endurance and persistent surveillance, making them less suited for expendable, high-tempo strike operations. The KAMA fills this tactical gap by offering a saturation-capable solution designed for rapid fielding and attritable missions. Its deployment GUI over standard laptops and optional ECDIS integration allow for flexible, user-friendly operation in multi-domain environments.

Strategically, ULAQ KAMA reflects Türkiye’s commitment to shaping the maritime battlespace with asymmetric leverage. As naval doctrines shift in response to lessons from the Black Sea and Red Sea conflicts, the emphasis has moved toward numbers, speed, and autonomy. KAMA’s ability to deliver kinetic and ISR effects simultaneously makes it an enabler of distributed lethality and swarm tactics, bolstering NATO's southern maritime flank and Türkiye's “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) strategy. It offers a credible deterrent against grey zone activities and can saturate hostile detection systems, threatening more expensive platforms without risking personnel. Moreover, its potential deployment in choke points like the Bosporus, Eastern Mediterranean, or the Aegean Sea adds a layer of unpredictability for adversaries operating near Turkish waters.

From a production and budgetary perspective, ULAQ KAMA is built for scale. The industrial base shared between ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence is configured to deliver over 100 units in less than a year following order notification. While no formal contracts have been disclosed as of IDEF 2025, its readiness and modular production suggest strong appeal for both Turkish naval forces and allied customers seeking a cost-effective unmanned strike asset. Its affordability and rapid scalability offer a unique advantage in an era where maritime threats evolve faster than traditional procurement cycles.

ULAQ KAMA’s reveal at IDEF 2025 reinforces Türkiye’s position as a leading innovator in the field of unmanned naval warfare. As the geopolitical landscape calls for resilient, flexible, and attritable systems, KAMA introduces a new operational concept designed to overwhelm, disrupt, and deter. With unmatched agility, autonomy, and versatility packed into a compact frame, it serves as both a force multiplier and a message of resolve, projecting capability without compromise and reshaping naval deterrence for the age of asymmetric conflict.