Türkiye's unmanned naval vessel joins NATO drills for first time

Türkiye, which is considered one of the world's leading countries in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, is taking firm steps forward and is on the cusp of a similar success story in the field of unmanned underwater and surface platforms.

According to TRT Haber, the MARLIN unmanned maritime vessel, which was built under the coordination of the Defence Industries Authority and produced in cooperation with Sefine and Aselsan shipyards, stands out as the most powerful unmanned surface platform Türkiye has ever produced in this field.

The approximately 15-meter-long ship offers critical surface, underwater, electronic warfare, and asymmetric warfare capabilities. Embodying the capabilities of gunboats, the MARLIN can even be a platform for offshore warfare, which in some instances can be used more quickly than gunboats.

MARLIN is the world's first unmanned surface platform with electronic warfare systems. It will be able to conduct EW from an unmanned surface platform in a way that cannot be used on a manned platform. This capability is seen by military experts as an innovative approach.

Considering the other naval capabilities planned for MARLIN, it is believed to affect maritime warfare concepts and doctrines from different sides.

In a second part in late September, a NATO exercise called Dynamic Messenger 2022 will be the first exercise in world history in which manned and unmanned ships will try out types of maritime warfare.

The Turkish Navy will take on special missions such as underwater and surface reconnaissance and surveillance, electronic warfare, target detection and identification, and support for amphibious operations during NATO drills. By carrying out all these missions, MARLIN will demonstrate that it has the capability to work alongside manned naval elements.

MARLIN is considered a harbinger of a new era in naval warfare. Sources following the matter closely believe it is not just about Türkiye, but about the whole world.