# Turkish defense industry UAV and maritime advancements > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-defense-industry-uav-advancements > Updated: 2026-10-25T03:59:48.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2. Turkish defense companies have demonstrated significant progress in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology through various military exercises. During the Ateş Serbest-2026 exercise, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) showcased new generation kamikaze UAVs, including the AYAZ platform, which completed its first live-fire mission. Testing also featured the SÜPER ŞİMŞEK and ŞİMŞEK K systems, demonstrating autonomous navigation and high-speed jet UAV capabilities. Additionally, the AKSUNGUR UAV successfully deployed the ASELSAN-developed TOLUN P bunker-buster munition against land targets. Further developments include the introduction of the MERKÜT Magazine system by SAVX, which allows FPV kamikaze drones to be deployed sequentially from vertical racks. In maritime applications, the TURNAs-2026 National Unmanned Naval Systems Exercise, conducted from October 19 to 27, 2026, in the Gulf of Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the hybrid integration of manned and unmanned platforms. The exercise involved 1,300 personnel, 18 ships, 11 aircraft, and 41 systems from 17 defense companies. Key demonstrations included the first integration of the MKE TOLGA Close-in Weapon System onto the warship TCG BEYKOZ, which successfully engaged UAV and USV targets. The PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was also controlled via a Bayraktar TB2 drone to strike a surface target using a 100-kilogram warhead. Other maritime highlights included the STM NETA 300 autonomous underwater vehicle performing mine detection, the use of LÜFER underwater vehicles for covert reconnaissance, and the AKSUNGUR UAV deploying ASELSAN aselBUOY 100P underwater acoustic listening systems. Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Commander of the Naval Forces, described the exercise as a historic step, stating, “Future naval warfare will be conducted with unmanned vehicles.” ## Claims - The TURNAs-2026 exercise took place in the Gulf of Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The PİRANA USV was controlled via a Bayraktar TB2 during the exercise. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The PİRANA USV used a 100-kilogram warhead to strike its target. (corroborated by 7 sources) - MKE developed the TOLGA Close-in Weapon System and the PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The TOLGA 20mm twin-barreled revolver system was integrated into a warship for the first time. (corroborated by 6 sources) - TOLGA has an effective range of 1,000 meters against kamikaze air and surface threats. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The exercise included 18 ships, 11 aircraft, and 1,300 personnel. (corroborated by 6 sources) - PİRANA can operate autonomously or via remote control using RF and SATCOM. (corroborated by 5 sources) - PİRANA is capable of operating in swarm configurations. (corroborated by 3 sources) - SAVX developed the MERKÜT Magazine system for FPV kamikaze drones. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Each MERKÜT Magazine contains 8 FPV kamikaze drones. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The MERKÜT Magazine system was first used in the Ateş Serbest exercise. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: TURNAs-2026 exercise tests unmanned defense systems in Turkey Turkey's TURNAs-2026 exercise tested 41 unmanned systems, including MKE's TOLGA and PİRANA, alongside various UAVs and autonomous underwater vehicles in the Mediterranean. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-defense-firms-debut-drone-magazine-and-maritime-acoustic-systems ### 2026-10-15: TUSAŞ demonstrates advanced UAV and kamikaze drone capabilities TUSAŞ and ASELSAN have successfully tested new unmanned systems, including the AYAZ kamikaze UAV and the AKSUNGUR UAV utilizing TOLUN P bunker-buster munitions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tusa-demonstrates-advanced-uav-and-kamikaze-drone-capabilities --- Cite as: Turkish defense industry UAV and maritime advancements. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-defense-industry-uav-advancements