Ukraine unveils advanced underwater drone TOLOKA

Ukraine has officially unveiled its state-of-the-art underwater drone, TOLOKA, at the Brave1 Defence Tech Valley 2025 exhibition.

The drone family represents a significant leap forward in Ukraine’s naval warfare capabilities. Of particular note is the TLK-150, a compact model designed for stealth missions. Operating just below the water’s surface and powered by a low-signature electric propulsion system, the TLK-150 is engineered to evade detection and penetrate enemy defences — a valuable asset in asymmetric warfare, where surprise and agility often outweigh brute force, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The TOLOKA platform comprises a range of modular variants tailored to different operational needs:

TLK-400: Measuring between 4 and 6 meters in length, this version boasts a range of up to 1,200 kilometers and can carry payloads of up to 500 kilograms.

TLK-1000: The largest and most capable variant, ranging from 4 to 12 meters in length, offers an extended range of up to 2,000 kilometers and a maximum payload capacity of 5,000 kilograms.

The TOLOKA series was first introduced during the February 24 summit in Kyiv, commemorating the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The event was a key platform for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to highlight Ukraine’s growing technological edge in defense. The drone was presented as part of a broader showcase of indigenous innovations aimed at bolstering national security and maintaining strategic resilience.

In parallel, the Defence Tech Valley 2025 summit near Kyiv served as a launchpad for a trio of new unmanned aerial systems. These include long-range strike and cargo drones, low-cost reconnaissance UAVs, and a “mothership” drone capable of deploying multiple FPV attack copters.

By Vafa Guliyeva