New deal sees Italy, Türkiye accelerate development of hybrid naval platforms

The cooperation between Italian and Turkish defence industry players enters the operational phase with an agreement aimed at bringing the production of hybrid surface naval platforms to the South European country. Türkiye's software specialist Havelsan is teaming up with shipbuilder VN Maritime as part of an expanded partnership with Italian Piloda Defence to co-produce unmanned and hybrid surface vessels in Italy.

Havelsan will contribute to the development of “hybrid and unmanned platforms” intended primarily for Italian law enforcement, with “other Italian government and security institutions as potential end users,” according to a press release circulated by the companies upon their announcement of the deal on April 8.

The agreement covers the full lifecycle of the vessels, including development, marketing, integration, and delivery. The platforms will be designed for flexible operations, allowing them to function in both manned and unmanned modes.

Responsibilities within the partnership are clearly divided: Piloda will handle shipbuilding and systems integration using its existing infrastructure, Havelsan will provide autonomy software and advanced technological capabilities, and VN Maritime will supply vessel design and hull technology.

“The three partners are targeting the signing of the first purchase order in the first half of 2026,” the announcement said. “The cooperation provides for the development of variants of different sizes and configurations, with applications ranging from defence and maritime security to environmental monitoring, including for agencies responsible for marine environmental protection. The objective is to strengthen the fleets of Italian institutions with next-generation platforms manufactured on national territory.”

Production is set to take place at Piloda’s facilities in Naples, Brindisi, and Torre Annunziata.

Serhat Süha Çubukçuoğlu, an expert at TRENDS Research & Advisory, told the Breaking Defense outlet the deal signals a broader shift in Havelsan’s role on the international stage.

He noted that the agreement reflects a transition “from a domestic software integrator to a premier, NATO-grade solutions provider for the European maritime market.”

“This alliance is not merely a technical partnership, but a significant validation of Turkish intellectual property,” he added.

“By integrating Havelsan’s autonomous navigation, sensor fusion, and AI-enabled perception capabilities into European-designed platforms, the cooperation establishes a reliable, battle-proven solution for NATO members operating in a volatile regions like the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.

He further emphasized the strategic value of European collaboration, noting that “European partnerships are particularly vital as they provide a localized industrial framework to navigate political and regulatory complexities, opening doors to EU-supported defence initiatives like the SAFE and ReArm Europe programs.” Both of these programs are European Union programs dedicated to boost the alliance's defence readiness.

VN Maritime and Piloda already have an established working relationship, having previously launched joint production of 40 manned 15-meter vessels for the Italian coast guard.

By Nazrin Sadigova