Türkiye commissions first combat-ready Havelsan Sancar armed USV to boost military independence.

The Sancar Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) entered service with the Turkish Naval Forces during a ceremony on February 24, 2026, at the Havelsan Technology Campus in Ankara attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior officials.

On February 24, 2026, Türkiye inducted the Sancar armed unmanned surface vehicle into Turkish Naval Forces service with a maximum speed above 40 knots and a range of 400 nautical miles. The Sancar was developed by Havelsan with Yonca Onuk Shipyard and integrates national combat management software. Officials linked the induction to efforts to reduce foreign dependence in defense systems, while supporting autonomous operations, missile integration, NATO-compatible systems, and network-enabled naval command structures.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Developed by Havelsan in cooperation with Yonca-Onuk Shipyard, the Sancar is equipped with a 12.7 mm Stamp-2 stabilized remote weapon station, which could be fitted with tactical missiles such as the UMTAS and L-UMTAS. (Picture source: Havelsan)

The event combined the induction of the unmanned vessel with the groundbreaking of the Havelsan Simulator Production and Integration Facility, the inauguration of the Kaan Technology Center, and the Naval Combat Management Systems Center's additional building. Officials stated that the integration of the Sancar would strengthen unmanned maritime capabilities, increase surveillance capacity, and enhance security and operational effectiveness at sea. The ceremony included a live connection to Aksaz Naval Base Command during which the vehicle formally joined the naval inventory. Erdoğan stated that deterrence depends on secure software, uninterrupted data flow, and resilient communications in addition to System numbers. He also linked the day’s milestones to a broader objective of technological independence and digital sovereignty within national security.

The ceremony gathered Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, Defense Industry Agency head Haluk Görgün, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, and Havelsan General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar. Erdoğan stated that the Sancar USV would reinforce unmanned naval capability while the new simulator facility would expand training, preparation, and sustainable operational infrastructure. He noted that over the last 23 years, external dependence in defense procurement declined from about 80% to below 20%. Defense and aerospace exports in 2025 increased by 48% compared with the previous year and exceeded $10 billion, while a 2028 export target of $11 billion was set. The defense sector includes more than 3,500 companies and provides employment for about 100,000 people. By the end of 2025, total project volume in the sector exceeded $100 billion across more than 1,400 active programs. Türkiye was also identified among the countries capable of developing and launching its own warships.

Developed by Havelsan in cooperation with Yonca-Onuk Shipyard, the Sancar is a 12.7-meter unmanned surface vehicle with a beam of 3.3 meters and a displacement of 9 tons. The vessel is powered by two diesel engines coupled to two waterjets and exceeds 40 knots in maximum speed. At a cruising speed of 10 knots, its operational range reaches 400 nautical miles, equivalent to 740 kilometers, for an endurance cited at 40 hours. The new Turkish USV operates in sea conditions up to Sea State 4. It can be remotely controlled or execute missions autonomously, with a mobile and modular ground control station supporting rapid deployment. Redundant communications include RF line of sight links, satellite communications, LTE connectivity, anti-jam GNSS navigation, and a Mini Ship Data Distribution System for onboard integration.

The Sancar is built on the Advent Sys architecture developed by Havelsan and integrates Advent Rota and Advent Kalyon mission management components compatible with NATO standards. The vehicle incorporates mission autonomy, vehicle control and monitoring Systems, and artificial intelligence-based image processing software. It supports coordinated operations with other naval units through network-enabled command and control integration. The System enables mission transfer, coordinated engagements, and swarm operations within a network-centric warfare framework. The onboard architecture links sensors, navigation, and weapon subSystems through an integrated combat management environment. During previous firing tests in the Marmara Sea conducted with naval representatives present, the vehicle engaged targets using its integrated weapon System under Advent control. These tests confirmed engagement capability, mine detection potential, and autonomous mission execution.

The Sancar's armament configuration includes a 12.7 mm Stamp-2 stabilized remote weapon station produced by Aselsan. The modular design allows integration of tactical missile payloads, including UMTAS and L-UMTAS produced by Roketsan. The vessel supports mine countermeasure Systems, sonar integration, navigation radar, AIS, electro-optic cameras, and 360-degree surveillance sensors mounted on a telescopic mast. The modular architecture permits adaptation to mission-specific payloads without altering the core control infrastructure. Operational roles include port and base security, maritime patrol, intelligence collection, reconnaissance, surveillance, surface warfare, mine countermeasures, search and rescue, and counter-smuggling missions. The System performs these missions without embarked personnel, reducing exposure in high-risk environments. Integration with naval command networks allows synchronized activity alongside manned surface vessels and other unmanned assets.

The February 24, 2026, program also advanced industrial infrastructure through the Havelsan Simulator Production and Integration Facility in Kahramankazan within the HAB Aerospace Specialized Organized Industrial Zone. The facility will cover 60,000 m² and employ about 600 personnel once completed. It will be capable of producing and integrating 16 full flight simulators simultaneously and more than 30 simulators annually, including Systems for air, land, and naval domains as well as robotic and autonomous platforms. The Kaan Technology Center, located at the TUSAŞ campus, will conduct work in Systems engineering, software development, test and validation, cyber security, simulation, and training solutions. The Naval Combat Management Systems Technology Center's additional building in Istanbul, Pendik, will focus on big data analytics, image and video processing, data fusion, and network modeling. These facilities expand engineering throughput, validation capacity, and command and control software development linked to naval and air Systems. The combined milestones connect unmanned maritime capability with simulation, cybersecurity, and combat management infrastructure.

Unmanned surface vehicles such as the Sancar expand naval force structure by providing a persistent presence without crew exposure and by distributing sensors and weapons across multiple smaller units, as their endurance and autonomous navigation permit long-duration patrol and surveillance in coastal and contested waters. Network integration enables real-time data exchange with command centers and manned vessels, shortening decision cycles and improving situational awareness. Modular payload capacity allows rapid reconfiguration between patrol, reconnaissance, mine countermeasure, and strike roles. Redundant communications and anti-jam navigation Systems support continued operation in contested electromagnetic environments. By lowering personnel risk and reducing operational costs compared with larger crewed vessels, such Systems offer scalable maritime coverage. Countries that integrate USVs within secure software-defined command architectures gain flexibility, distributed lethality, and expanded surveillance reach while reinforcing domestic software, data security, and Systems engineering capabilities.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.