Turkish Firm Unveils ‘Pirana’ Kamikaze Drone Boat, Signaling Shift in Naval Warfare
ISTANBUL – Turkey’s state-owned defense company, Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE), has revealed a new generation of unmanned naval technology: the PİRANA, a kamikaze unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for strike operations. The unveiling marks a significant expansion for MKE beyond land and air-based defense systems and points to a growing global trend of integrating unmanned systems into maritime warfare.
The PİRANA is conceived as a low-cost, impactful system for the Turkish Navy, capable of operating both independently and in coordinated swarms. According to MKE, the design prioritizes effectiveness, simplicity, and affordability.
“The PİRANA is designed to function as a maritime loitering munition,” explained MKE in a statement. “It approaches and strikes targets – such as ships or coastal infrastructure – without a crew onboard.”
The USV boasts a speed exceeding 40 knots, a range of over 200 nautical miles, and carries a 100-kilogram warhead. Its maneuverability and remote control capabilities, utilizing both radio frequency and satellite communications, are intended to make detection and interception challenging.
Perhaps most notably, the PİRANA has demonstrated interoperability with other unmanned systems. In 2025 trials, the vessel successfully struck a 3.5-meter target with a direct hit. Further testing in June of the same year showcased a groundbreaking capability: control transfer from the Turkish Navy’s amphibious assault ship, TCG Anadolu, to a Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle. The TB3 then guided the PİRANA to its target, demonstrating real-time control of a USV by an airborne drone.
This integration signifies a potential paradigm shift in naval operations, extending command and control beyond line-of-sight limitations and enhancing targeting flexibility.
The development of the PİRANA comes as nations worldwide increasingly explore the potential of unmanned systems to address evolving security challenges and reduce risks to personnel. While the exact deployment timeline for the PİRANA remains undisclosed, its development underscores Turkey’s commitment to innovation in the defense sector and its growing role as a key player in the global arms market.
