Turkey is preparing to launch its first armed unmanned maritime vehicle (SIDA) as it is now ready for the naval mission, it is set to set sail later this month. On 14 December, the prototype of Turkey's first armed unmanned surface vessel was showcased.
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"Turkey's first armed unmanned surface vessel (SIDA), which is the first product of the ULAQ series developed by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defense System, is seen after its completion of the prototype in Antalya, Turkey on December 14, 2020," reported Anadolu Agency on Monday.
The state-run news agency quoted the CEO of Ares Shipyard Utku Alanc, saying that the watercraft is due to set sail later this month. He added that this vessel was designed primarily to be deployed in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. According to him, it could also serve in intelligence-gathering missions.
"SIDA was produced to be resistant to electronic warfare. This platform will also be fitted with anti-GPS jamming systems," said the vice president of Meteksan Defense, Erdal Torun.
According to Torum, SIDA features a command and control system that allows for all its movements to be remotely controlled and managed.
The vessel is made of advanced composite materials and it could be commanded by operation centres from land, mobile vehicles and floating platforms such as aircraft carriers and frigates.
It also includes domestically produced missile systems that can meet different operational needs. Laser-guided long-range missiles Cirit and LUMTAS, which can hit targets from 8 kilometres, will be integrated.
The SIDA vessel is the first in Ares and Meteksan's ULAQ unmanned vessel series. It has a 400-kilometre-long cruising range with 65km per hour maximum speed. It is equipped with indigenous encrypted communication systems and visions enabling it to carry out day and night missions.
Sources: Anadolu Agency, TRT World
