Ares Designs New ULAQ KAMA Unmanned Surface Vessel with Rapid Production Capability.

The ULAQ KAMA, the latest innovation in unmanned surface vessels (USVs), is currently being presented at the SAHA 2024 exhibition, held from October 25 to 28 in Istanbul, Türkiye. This event, dedicated to the defense industry, serves as the platform for ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defense to unveil this new unit, which promises to redefine asymmetric naval operations.
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Ares ULAQ KAMA Unmanned Surface Vessel (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In a major development for Turkish defense capabilities, Antalya-based ARES Shipyard and Ankara-based Meteksan Defence have revealed the latest addition to their family of unmanned surface vessels, the ULAQ KAMA. This new system promises to redefine the nature of naval deterrence and asymmetric warfare, marking a new step in Türkiye’s efforts to protect its maritime interests.

The ULAQ KAMA reflects the evolving geopolitical landscape. As global tensions rise and power dynamics shift, there is a growing demand for cost-effective yet highly potent defense solutions. This unmanned surface vessel is designed to meet that need, offering a unique combination of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, along with a deterrent role through its explosive payload.

According to a joint statement by ARES Shipyard CEO Utku Alanç and Meteksan Defense President Selçuk Kerem Alparslan, the ULAQ KAMA represents the latest in Turkish defense technology. They noted that the ULAQ family, as Türkiye’s first armed unmanned surface vessel, continues to grow with this new unit, emphasizing its crucial role in defending the "blue homeland" and the country’s maritime interests. The statement highlighted the vessel’s ability to provide asymmetric advantages in naval operations, altering the course of engagements, much like unconventional tactics have done in the past.

The design of the ULAQ KAMA allows it to serve as both a deterrent weapon and an ISR platform. Equipped with a robust and uninterrupted communication network, it has an operational range of over 200 nautical miles and can maintain a very low profile, making it ideal for stealthy operations. Its ability to navigate challenging waters despite its relatively compact dimensions further enhances its versatility in a variety of operational environments.

The vessel’s physical specifications are designed to ensure high performance. Measuring 6.37 meters in length, 1.20 meters in width, and with a draft of only 0.30 meters, it offers both agility and survivability in maritime environments. The ULAQ KAMA can reach speeds of over 20 knots and is capable of operating in sea state 4 conditions, making it effective even in moderately rough seas. Weighing 1.3 tons and capable of carrying a 200-kilogram payload, it brings formidable striking power to any naval operation.

One of the most important aspects of its design is its flexibility in terms of control. It can be operated remotely, semi-autonomously, or fully autonomously, providing naval commanders with a wide range of options depending on the mission’s requirements. The vessel’s navigation systems include GNSS receivers and thermal cameras, enabling it to operate effectively day or night, in a variety of weather conditions.

A key feature that sets the ULAQ KAMA apart is its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. These advanced systems allow it to operate efficiently in complex maritime environments, making real-time decisions in response to changing conditions. The USV’s AI systems are also designed to support swarm tactics, allowing multiple vessels to work together to overwhelm an adversary or control a larger operational area.

In this regard, the ULAQ KAMA offers significant advantages over more traditional naval assets such as naval mines, submarines, and patrol boats. While naval mines provide a form of area denial, they lack the ability to discriminate between targets. Submarines offer stealth but are limited in their ability to cover large surface areas. Patrol boats, though versatile, are manned assets, which introduces risks to personnel. The ULAQ KAMA, with its combination of stealth, speed, and autonomy, provides broader area control, improved target discrimination, and a surface threat dimension that can complement submarine operations.

Notably, the ULAQ KAMA addresses one of the main challenges of modern naval warfare: the need for a rapid and adaptable response to dynamic threats. Whether conducting ISR missions or ensuring a deterrent presence, it can be quickly and effectively deployed in coastal or open sea environments, providing operational decision-makers with new asymmetric options to maintain maritime superiority.

Another significant advantage of the ULAQ KAMA is its rapid production capability. As emphasized in the joint statement by ARES and Meteksan, one of the key elements of asymmetric warfare is the number of platforms available. To this end, the two companies have established a robust production infrastructure capable of delivering over 100 ULAQ KAMA units within a year of receiving an order. This ability to quickly ramp up production ensures that Turkey and its allies can deploy these vessels in sufficient numbers, providing substantial deterrence in any maritime conflict.