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TURNAs-2026 exercise tests unmanned defense systems in Turkey
The Turkish Navy conducted the TURNAs-2026 National Unmanned Naval Systems Exercise in the Gulf of Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean from October 19 to 27, 2026. The exercise featured 18 ships, 11 aircraft, 1,300 personnel, and 41 systems developed by 17 defense companies to test the integration of unmanned and manned platforms in hybrid combat scenarios.
Key technological demonstrations included the MKE TOLGA Close-in Weapon System, which was integrated into the TCG BEYKOZ warship for the first time to intercept UAV and USV targets. The PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) successfully struck surface targets while being controlled via a Bayraktar TB2 UAV. Additionally, the AKSUNGUR UAV deployed ASELSAN aselBUOY 100P underwater acoustic listening systems and a sonobuoy to detect underwater threats.
Other notable activities involved the STM NETA 300 autonomous underwater vehicle performing mine detection and identification. The exercise also showcased the use of various unmanned aerial, surface, underwater, and ground vehicles, including the LÜFER underwater vehicle, BAZNA kamikaze UAV, and BARKAN unmanned ground vehicles, to simulate future naval warfare environments.
Entities
AKSUNGUR · ASELSAN · Antalya · Antalya Gulf · Bayraktar TB2 · Eastern Mediterranean · Ercüment Tatlıoğlu · MKE · SAVX · STM · TUSAŞ · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The AKSUNGUR UAV performed submarine detection during the TURNAs-26 exercise.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The AKSUNGUR UAV is powered by a TEI-PD170 engine.
- [● 2 SOURCES] SAVX developed the MERKÜT Magazine system for FPV kamikaze drones.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The AKSUNGUR mission involved a flight duration of approximately 4 hours.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Acoustic data from the aselBUOY systems was transmitted to a control station in Ankara.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Each MERKÜT Magazine contains 8 FPV kamikaze drones.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The MERKÜT Magazine system was first used in the Ateş Serbest exercise.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AKSUNGUR deployed three ASELSAN aselBUOY 100P systems and one sonobuoy. www.sabah.com.tr
- [● 7 SOURCES] The PİRANA USV used a 100-kilogram warhead to strike its target. www.turkgun.com · www.haber1.com · www.yenisafak.com · haberton.com · ordu.az · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] PİRANA is capable of operating in swarm configurations. www.haber1.com · www.yenisafak.com · haberton.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] PİRANA can operate autonomously or via remote control using RF and SATCOM. www.haber1.com · www.yenisafak.com · haberton.com · www.baskentgazete.com.tr · www.turkgun.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] MKE developed the TOLGA Close-in Weapon System and the PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle. www.turkgun.com · www.haber1.com · www.yenisafak.com · haberton.com · ordu.az · +1 more