Turkey unveils TUFAN naval kamikaze drone

Turkey has unveiled the TUFAN Kamikaze USV, an unmanned naval vehicle developed by Turkish defense company Aselsan, for the first time in the water, describing it as a technology that could change the way naval warfare is conducted.

TUFAN's first debut took place during TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland, one of Turkey's leading maritime technologies and defense events, which is being held at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command in the Marmara region.

The four-day event kicked off on Thursday and has brought together a wide range of technologies developed by the Turkish defense industry, including naval platforms, unmanned systems, underwater technologies, aircraft, air defense systems and missiles.

Aselsan introduced TUFAN as a platform that aims to bring a new approach to maritime operations.

"The TUFAN Kamikaze USV, which changes the rules of the game in naval warfare, is in our waters for the first time," the company announced on the Turkish social network NSosyal.

TUFAN is part of a growing trend among modern militaries towards the use of unmanned naval vehicles, which can carry out missions in high-risk areas without directly exposing military personnel.

Its debut comes at a time when autonomous naval vehicles and naval drones are taking on an increasingly important role in modern conflicts, particularly for striking maritime targets, reconnaissance, and operations in protected areas.

TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland will continue until Sunday, offering visitors the opportunity to see up close a range of platforms and systems that reflect Turkey's ambitions to expand its technological and military capabilities at sea.

The debut of TUFAN is another indicator of Ankara's investment in autonomous warfare and unmanned systems, a sector that is expected to play an increasingly important role in future naval battles.