22.08.2026 20:10
The TUFAN Kamikaze Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), developed by ASELSAN as the new-generation striking force of naval warfare, was launched for the first time at TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland. Commenting on TUFAN, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol said, 'TUFAN has the capability to attack in series and swarms. Multiple attacks create a serious impact on the adversary. It can reach very high speeds, achieving around 50 knots. Similarly, it carries a high explosive payload.'
The autonomous and swarm-capable TUFAN Kamikaze Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), developed by ASELSAN, was launched for the first time within the scope of TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland held in Gölcük, Kocaeli. TUFAN, one of Turkey's new strike platforms in the field of unmanned maritime systems, was presented to visitors at the festival area. Standing out with its high speed, long range, and swarm operation capability, TUFAN is being developed as a next-generation striking force against surface targets with its artificial intelligence-supported autonomous features. It is aimed for TUFAN to be used effectively in different mission scenarios thanks to its autonomous movement capability.
"A NEW STRIKING FORCE IN THE BLUE HOMELAND" ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol, making statements about TUFAN, said, "TUFAN is our unmanned surface kamikaze vehicle. Both its model and the real one are exhibited here, and on the occasion of TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland, we shared the swimming images and the ongoing work in the background with the public for the first time. It is currently in serial production. We are producing it in multiple quantities for our heroic navy. It is an element of asymmetric warfare. In the new era, it is a new striking force in the Blue Homeland that is more cost-effective, more agile, faster, and enables dealing with the adversary. This is an important capability. TUFAN has the ability to attack in series and swarms. Multiple attacks have a serious impact on the adversary. It can reach very high speeds, achieving speeds of about 50 knots. Similarly, it carries a high payload of explosives," he said.
"A PRODUCT THAT INCREASES OUR DETERRENCE IN THE BLUE HOMELAND" Akyol said, "Therefore, I define it as a striking force in the Blue Homeland because it can create a surprise effect on the adversary; with its speed, maneuverability, the explosives it carries, and being a quite cost-effective product. Many large and medium-sized ships are in the hands of navies. Compared to the past, it is possible to destroy these more easily with a system like TUFAN. It is affordable, can create a surprise effect, and when sent as a multi-swarm at high speed over a long range, they are systems that are not very easy for the enemy to stop. Therefore, due to it being an asymmetric product compared to conventional systems, if we can define it as a product that is difficult to stop compared to other threats, it is truly a product that increases our deterrence in the Blue Homeland," he stated.
"WE WILL SEE ITS DELIVERY TO THE NAVAL FORCES" Akyol said, "It has multi-swarm attack capability and capabilities equipped with artificial intelligence. It can operate with this smart AI in target recognition, target selection, and target analysis. When we combine its speed, autonomy, and swarm capability, the impact it creates on the other side is asymmetric. This asymmetry is the biggest key to its game-changing feature. We are now floating it in the Gulf of İzmit. We have started serial production. We have established the infrastructure for high-volume production in our new facility. We will now see its delivery to the Naval Forces day by day. With this, along with many kamikaze surface vehicles, our Naval Forces will have gained a new striking power, like ships and submarines. Conceptually, it offers more multi-use potential compared to ships and submarines. It is safer for naval personnel since there are no people involved. Its multi-use and artificial intelligence capabilities also make it difficult for the other side to stop. Therefore, instead of going and engaging with a ship, there is a convenience brought by releasing it from the shore or from a manned ship to deliver it to the other side. Our Naval Forces will use this effectively," he said.