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Defense giant Aselsan unveiled the Kilic kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle and the Tufan new-generation kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) at SAHA 2026.
Marketed as the "New Strike Forces of the Blue Homeland," these autonomous platforms are designed as cost-effective deterrents for asymmetric naval warfare.
The launch ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of National Defense Bilal Durdali, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol and Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar.
Admiral Tatlioglu described the deliveries as adding to a rapidly expanding naval force.
"Türkiye's position, surrounded by sea on three sides, dictates that we must have very powerful naval forces. Every day we add to our strength. We are building 41 military ships simultaneously," he said.
"As of today, we are receiving the kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle and the submarine vehicle from Aselsan. These vehicles will add to the strength of our Naval Forces," he added.
Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol said the unveiling reflected a broader shift in defense thinking toward cost-effective deterrence.
"The dynamics of the battlefield are changing. We are transitioning to a period where more cost-effective deterrent systems are present on the field," Akyol said.
"We have named the kamikaze submarine vehicle family Kilic. It is Türkiye's first kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle, an extremely cost-effective deterrent system ready to enter the inventory of our navy and friendly allies. I would like to specifically state that serial production is planned while R&D processes continue," he noted.
On Tufan, Akyol said, "Our new surface kamikaze vehicle Tufan can carry a warhead as heavy as a heavyweight torpedo, can operate autonomously, can be controlled via satellite, and will enter inventory in 2027. We are conducting R&D and production simultaneously."
The Kilic family comprises two variants.
The Kilic 10 is a single-use, ultra-light-class unmanned underwater system with a low-visibility profile and a compact, hydrodynamic design.
Optimized for asymmetric naval warfare and submarine/surface operations, it features high-precision destruction capability, swarm operation capability, cable-guided control and low detectability.
The Kilic 200, a mid-class variant, offers extended range and higher explosive payload alongside swarm capability. It can be deployed from a USV, features an integrated warhead for high-precision destruction, and includes surface thermal and infrared camera systems for extended mission range.
Tufan is designed to neutralize surface targets, platforms and critical coastal facilities.
The system can carry a high-explosive warhead comparable to a heavyweight torpedo and is capable of autonomous navigation, swarm operations and image-based target detection and engagement.
It can be deployed individually or in swarm formation for reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence missions, and can autonomously avoid both moving and fixed obstacles.
Tufan's high speed, maneuverability and advanced situational awareness capabilities are designed to serve as a force multiplier in the Blue Homeland.
Aselsan said it currently has more than 50 systems in service across various platforms for the Turkish Navy and will continue strengthening naval capabilities in the coming period.
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