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Türkiye has taken a significant step in maritime autonomy with the STM NETA 300, its first indigenously developed autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which has now begun sea trials in the Mediterranean following successful pool tests.
Developed by a leading Turkish defense firm STM, the compact underwater platform is set to serve in mine countermeasure (MCM) operations for the Turkish navy.
Introduced at the SAHA EXPO 2024 defense exhibition, the STM NETA 300 will act as a foundational system for future larger, deeper-operating AUVs.
Weighing between 70 and 85 kilograms, depending on configuration, the STM NETA 300 can operate at depths up to 300 meters and sustain missions up to 24 hours thanks to its advanced battery system. It reaches speeds of up to 5 knots and is designed for easy transport and deployment by just two personnel.
Equipped with side-scan sonar and gap-filling sonar systems, NETA 300 autonomously scans hazardous maritime areas to identify and classify mine-like objects. The system also features an optional synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) integration for wider scanning zones and enhanced image resolution.
According to STM General Manager Oztur Guleryuz, NETA 300 will first serve the Turkish navy in detecting sea mines. "We combined our engineering strengths in naval systems, autonomy, and command-control to deliver NETA 300 as a gift to the Blue Homeland," he stated.
The system’s initial sea trials in the Mediterranean received high marks, and STM recently signed its first domestic sale agreement. "NETA 300 marks the beginning of our journey in underwater autonomy. We aim to expand this capability with medium and large-class unmanned systems capable of deep-sea missions," Guleryuz added.
Thanks to its modular design, the STM NETA 300 supports both military and civilian applications. On the defense side, the vehicle can conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, port security, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and anti-submarine operations. In civilian contexts, it can be used for seabed mapping, environmental monitoring, underwater pipeline inspection, geophysical surveys, renewable marine energy assessments, and underwater archaeology.
The name "NETA" derives from a traditional naval term in Turkish, meaning neat, safe and always ready.
STM sees the NETA family as a force multiplier not only for Türkiye’s maritime deterrence but also for allied and partner navies worldwide. "We believe STM NETA will achieve international success through exports and strengthen maritime safety across friendly nations," Guleryuz noted.
The vehicle’s deployment from any surface platform and suitability for search-and-rescue operations further extend its mission range, reinforcing its role as a next-generation underwater asset.
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