Group : Unmanned Surface Vessels
Status : Under Development
Origin : Turkiye
Contractors : ARES Shipyard, METEKSAN Defence
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2023
Total Production : ?

The ULAQ is an armed, autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed jointly by ARES Shipyard and METEKSAN Defence to meet the requirements of the Turkish Navy. It is suitable to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as engagements at sea. The high-speed ULAQ is built using composite material extensively and can be operated remotely from ground platforms and/or surface ships such as frigates and aircraft carriers. The craft is armed with four Cirit rockets and two L-UMTAS laser-guided missiles to conduct strike operations in the littoral environment. Besides, the vessel is fitted with a variety of mast-mounted electro-optical (EO) sensors. The first prototype is expected to be commissioned by the Turkish Navy in December 2020 with testing starting in 2021. The program existence was revealed in October 2020 with the first blueprints being finished in August of the same year.

The ULAQ prototype was first tested at sea firing a missile in May 2021.