Denizkurdu-I/2026 exercises feature PİRANA and DİHA demonstrations

During the Denizkurdu-I/2026 naval exercises, which took place between September 20 and 25 across the Black Sea, Aegean, and Eastern Mediterranean, several technological milestones were demonstrated.

In a significant display of maritime capability, the PİRANA Kamikaze Unmanned Surface Vehicle, developed by Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE), successfully destroyed a surface target. MKE describes the PİRANA as a strike-capable unmanned vessel with a reported maximum speed exceeding 50 knots and a range of over 200 nautical miles.

Additionally, the BAYKAR-produced Vertical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (DİHA) completed its first takeoff from the TCG Anadolu. The large-scale exercise involved approximately 14,000 personnel, 100 ships, and 50 aircraft, including participation from SAT and SAS teams, as well as various land, air, and coast guard commands.