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The New Playground of the Turkish Defence Industry: Unmanned Surface Vehicles

Türkiye Alters Field Advantage Introducing Significant Innovations to decades-long mainstream warfare with Indigenous A/USV Solutions Designed and Equipped for Different Needs!

Date: Issue 119 - December 2022

During the Russia-Ukraine War that started on February 24, 2022, a new page in the history of naval warfare was opened with the coordinated surprise attack carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the naval base in Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea (home to the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy) on October 29, 2022, using 9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) and 7 Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). 

With this attack, the first of its kind in naval warfare, the Ukrainian Armed Forces proved they have the element of surprise in battle. On the other hand, the attack claimed to have damaged at least three ships of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy, causing Russia to lose its psychological superiority. According to open sources, at least 3 vessels of the Russian Navy were damaged due to the attack by USVs, especially the Flagship of the Black Sea Fleet Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigate Admiral Makarov (Commissioned in December 2017), and Ivan Golubets, the Natya Class Minesweeper. Short videos of the semi-submersible USVs used during the attacks were also shared on social media (recorded by the onboard camera).