Türkiye Demonstrates Naval Drone Strike as USV-12 Launches Armed SAGAN UAV at Designated Target.

Türkiye's HAVELSAN has demonstrated a coordinated maritime and aerial operation in which a USV-12 unmanned surface vessel autonomously deployed an armed SAGAN drone to engage a designated target with a 60 mm mortar round. The demonstration brings together two unmanned systems under a common command and control architecture, illustrating how naval forces could extend their reconnaissance and precision engagement capabilities without exposing personnel or conventional warships to immediate threats.

The Turkish-made USV-12 unmanned surface vessel launches a SAGAN armed UAV during a HAVELSAN demonstration of coordinated maritime and aerial operations involving a strike on a designated target with a 60 mm mortar round. (Picture source: Havelsan)

The operation combines the USV-12, manufactured by Turkish company VN Maritime Technologies, with the SAGAN unmanned aerial vehicle developed by ASİSGUARD. Rather than operating independently, the two systems conduct a coordinated mission in which the surface vessel provides a mobile maritime base for an airborne weapon carrier. This configuration allows a naval asset to support aerial operations while remaining unmanned throughout the mission.

On October 20, 2026, HAVELSAN confirmed that the USV-12 navigated autonomously before the SAGAN UAV took off from the vessel, released a 60 mm mortar round against its assigned target and successfully completed its mission. The activity was conducted using the company's command and control, mission management and autonomous navigation technologies, with target engagement remaining under operator control. The announcement establishes a concrete demonstration of cooperation between unmanned maritime and aerial systems developed by different Turkish manufacturers.

The USV-12 serves as the maritime component of this configuration. Developed by HAVELSAN and VN Maritime Technologies, the vessel is designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, patrol and search-and-rescue missions in demanding maritime environments. Its hull design emphasizes speed, seakeeping and endurance, while a modular payload architecture allows equipment to be adapted to different operational requirements. These characteristics make the vessel suitable for missions requiring prolonged presence at sea without a crew aboard.

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Its autonomous navigation architecture incorporates artificial intelligence-supported sensing and collision avoidance functions designed to comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, commonly known as COLREG. This capability enables the vessel to navigate in maritime environments where other ships may be present, while its mission management system coordinates movement and assigned tasks. The manufacturer also identifies several communication options, including radio-frequency line-of-sight links, LTE/5G networks, satellite communications and low Earth orbit connectivity. Their availability depends on the communications infrastructure installed and the operating environment.

The SAGAN UAV introduces an additional dimension to the USV-12's mission profile. By carrying and releasing a 60 mm mortar round, the aircraft enables the surface vessel to participate in an engagement beyond its immediate position. The demonstration confirms autonomous takeoff from the USV and weapon release against a designated target, although HAVELSAN does not disclose the aircraft's endurance, engagement range, or the characteristics of its targeting sensors. Nor does the announcement specify whether the drone subsequently recovered aboard the vessel. These details remain relevant when assessing the configuration's potential for repeated maritime strike missions.

A central element of the demonstration is HAVELSAN's common command and control architecture. Designed around interoperability principles aligned with NATO standards, the system allows equipment from different manufacturers to operate within a coordinated mission structure. This approach separates the management of the operation from the individual characteristics of each vehicle, allowing maritime and aerial assets to exchange mission information and execute assigned tasks. In this case, the architecture supports the vessel's autonomous navigation, the drone's deployment, and the engagement sequence while maintaining human control over the use of force.

The combination of the USV-12 and SAGAN UAV introduces a new approach to maritime strike missions, allowing an unmanned vessel to transport and deploy an armed aerial system without requiring a crewed ship in the immediate engagement area. During coastal surveillance or patrol operations, the USV-12 could approach a designated operating area before launching the SAGAN to engage targets beyond the vessel's direct line of sight. This arrangement could prove particularly useful in confined waters, around islands or along coastlines where conventional naval vessels face greater exposure to shore-based weapons. Moreover, the integration of autonomous navigation and operator-controlled weapons employment allows the two systems to carry out complementary tasks while reducing the number of personnel directly exposed to hostile fire.

The demonstration also highlights Türkiye's growing focus on connecting domestically developed unmanned systems rather than operating them as separate assets. By bringing together HAVELSAN's command and control technologies, VN Maritime's USV-12 and ASİSGUARD's SAGAN, the project demonstrates how Turkish defense manufacturers can combine their respective capabilities within a single operational architecture. The emphasis on NATO-aligned interoperability could also facilitate cooperation with allied naval forces and support future export opportunities. As countries around the Black Sea and Mediterranean continue to invest in unmanned maritime capabilities, the ability to launch armed drones from autonomous surface vessels could offer Türkiye an additional option for coastal defense, maritime surveillance, and distributed naval operations.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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