TT News TURKEY :
Two Turkish defence companies are to launch the country’s first unmanned military ship, according to Defence News.
The partnership to produce the vessel, named ULAQ, is between Ares Shipyard and Meteksan Defence and was announced on Oct. 28. The companies said that the vessel is built with advanced composite materials, has a range of 400 kilometers and can travel at up to 65 kilometers per hour.
The vessel is equipped with day and night vision capabilities and an encrypted communications system, capable of being operated remotely from distant military bases or other ships, including aircraft carriers. Its missile systems are built by state-owned missile company Roketsan.
Defence News said it can be used for “intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, surface warfare, asymmetric warfare, escort and strategic infrastructure protection missions.”
The design of the vessel was completed in August, and the first vessel has now been built and will enter service in December. Live fire tests are scheduled for early 2021.
The ULAQ also has electronic warfare systems and is designed to complement the use of Turkey’s military drones, which have recently demonstrated their success in mountainous terrain in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“ULAQ is a messenger (original word is ‘ulak’), an envoy from the ancient Turkish culture who represents the state with his extraordinary skills since Central Asia. Along with the intelligence and experience, ULAQ possesses extreme warriorship capabilities,” said Ares CEO Utku Alanc.
Source : ahvalnews.com
