The Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE), a state-owned defense contractor in Turkey, announced on Sunday that its new Pirana kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) has completed final impact testing and is now considered mission-ready.
The company reported that the drone boat successfully struck a 3.5-meter target during recent trials. Pirana operates as a guided, single-use weapon designed to destroy targets by physically crashing into them and detonating its onboard warhead. This method is intended to offer a low-cost option for asymmetric naval operations.
MKE described Pirana as capable of various operational scenarios, including direct attacks on enemy vessels, infiltration of harbors and strategic sites and use in diversionary missions intended to disrupt adversary responses during broader operations.
Pirana’s specifications include a 1,200-kilogram displacement and a waterjet propulsion system that enables speeds exceeding 50 knots (92.6 km/h). It has an operational range of over 200 nautical miles. The vessel carries a 65-kilogram high-explosive warhead and features a composite hull aimed at reducing radar detection. Navigation is supported by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that is resistant to jamming, improving performance in environments with electronic interference.
MKE officials stated that Pirana is compatible with swarm tactics, allowing multiple USVs to coordinate their actions. These tactics are based on speed, quantity and AI-based synchronization to overcome defensive systems.
Established in 1950, MKE’s stated purpose is to support the defense requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). The development of the Pirana reflects a wider international movement among naval forces toward investment in unmanned maritime platforms.
The platform’s ability to approach targets with reduced detectability is noted as a tactical benefit in asymmetric conflict environments. One naval warfare analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested such systems can challenge traditional naval formations and facilities while limiting personnel exposure, contributing to evolving naval engagement strategies.
Observers have noted the broader implications of this system in the context of Turkey’s broader development of unmanned maritime vehicles. Pirana is the latest addition to a growing inventory that includes platforms such as ALBATROS, ULAQ KAMA and ÇAKA.
Globally, countries including China, the United States and several European states are also expanding their USV programs. Pirana’s unveiling indicates participation in a larger shift toward unmanned capabilities in the maritime domain.
Open-source defense analysis suggests that more than a dozen nations are now pursuing kamikaze-style surface drones. This trend reflects an adjustment in naval doctrine, where emerging technologies allow states to enhance strategic reach without expanding traditional fleets.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has highlighted the use of such platforms. Ukraine’s deployment of sea drones, including the Magura V5 and V7, has enabled it to conduct operations against Russian naval targets in the Black Sea. These drones, equipped with modular payloads and in some cases missile systems, have contributed to strategic repositioning by Russian naval forces.
Military analysts have drawn comparisons between the rise of unmanned naval vessels and the introduction of anti-ship missiles in the 1960s, both of which have altered established concepts of naval warfare. Current investments prioritize smaller, faster and more adaptable systems over conventional large-scale platforms.
Pirana’s operational design includes the ability to function in challenging sea conditions and to integrate with existing force structures. MKE has stated that the system is now ready for deployment and that future testing will focus on improving swarm coordination and real-time communication during missions.