Turkey has successfully carried out live-fire trials of its SANCAR armed unmanned surface vessel in the Marmara Sea, defense contractor Havelsan said in a statement on X on Sunday.
SANCAR SİDA atış testini
“tam isabetle” geçti🚀SANCAR Silahlı İnsansız Deniz Aracı, 12,7 milimetre Stabilize Silah Sistemi ile ADVENT Savaş Yönetim Sistemi üzerinden hedefleri yüksek isabetle vurmayı başardı. 💯
SANCAR SİDA, ADVENT ROTA Savaş Yönetim Sistemi ağ merkezli… pic.twitter.com/qHf8JgWjSZ
— HAVELSAN (@HAVELSANResmi) September 14, 2025
During the drills the vessel struck its targets with precision, marking another step in Ankara’s push to expand the use of unmanned systems at sea.
The SANCAR, developed by Havelsan in partnership with Yonca-Onuk Shipyard, is equipped with a 12.7 mm stabilized weapon system linked to the ADVENT combat management system. Officials from Turkey’s Presidency of the Defense Industry and the Naval Forces Command attended the tests, where the vessel performed several live-fire runs.
The platform is integrated with ADVENT ROTA, a configuration designed specifically for unmanned systems. Installed directly on board, ADVENT ROTA allows the SANCAR to be commanded from other navy ships already using ADVENT. This setup enables the vessel to perform autonomous missions such as mine detection and target engagement while staying connected to the fleet.
Havelsan General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar said the program paves the way for a broader family of unmanned surface vessels. He added that additional models are under development both for the Turkish Navy and for export.
Defense analysts say Turkey’s efforts reflect a broader strategy of reducing reliance on crewed systems, strengthening its position in the global arms market and expanding its capabilities in contested waters such as the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. They warn, however, that while the tests indicate progress, it remains unclear when the SANCAR will become fully operational or how much demand it might generate in an increasingly competitive market for unmanned systems.