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vessels with fully unmanned sys- “Our EEZ is the fifth of 200 kg, length of about 8 m, and
tems from 2027. Meanwhile, ST largest in the world at endurance of more than 12 hours.
Engineering has developed the
Mercury autonomous underwater more than four million The urgency shown by the U.S.
vehicle, a 6-meter-long multipur- square kilometres…The and its allies in the Asia Pacific to
pose drone that can either detect evidence we’ve seen acquire unmanned naval assets
mines, map the seafloor or inspect is understandable given the mas-
underwater cables. The company from our partner mili-
also has an 18-meter long USV that taries overseas is that sive strides China has made in
can be used for firefighting, search- uncrewed drone aircraft the field. At the World Defence
Show Exhibition in Riyadh earlier
and-rescue and patrol missions. and vessels can provide this year, China State Shipbuilding
real value in fulfilling Corporation (CSSC) revealed
South Korea has announced plans some of these search Thunderer A2000, a new medi-
to increase the percentage of um-sized combat unmanned
drones in its naval operations to and surveillance tasks,” surface vessel (USV) that is cur-
9% by the mid-2020s, 28% by the he says. rently under development. With
mid-2030s and 45% by the 2040s. a displacement of 280 tonnes,
The assets that will be acquired The Indian Navy is currently con- a length of 45 meters, and a top
include anti-submarine drones. The ducting trials of its first indigenously speed of 35 knots, the Thunderer
country’s military is also keen on developed multirole unmanned sur- A2000 is powered by twin diesel
using the operational concept of face vessel (USV) for surveillance engines and two CPP propellers.
manned-unmanned teaming (MUM- and minesweeping. The companies The trimaran hull design ensures
T), which is the use of manned and involved in the project are Weapon low radar cross-section and stealth.
unmanned systems together as a and Electronic Systems Engineering
force multiplier. Establishment (WESEE), Bharat Turkey Shines
Electronic Ltd (BEL), and Goa The Turkish defence industry, which
The Royal New Zealand Navy Shipyard Ltd (GSL). The USV is 15 has regularly hit the headlines in
will soon receive “Bluebottle,” meters long and has a maximum recent years for its speedy growth
an unmanned surface vessel speed of more than 30 knots. The and a spate of modern weapons,
(USV) that can run completely on service also wants to introduce USV has made a name for itself in the
renewable energy. Designed by swarms against adversaries and field of USVs as well. At DIMDEX
Australian firm Ocius Technology, asked Sagar Defence Engineering 2024 in Doha earlier this year,
the USV is capable of a wide to demonstrate a weaponised Turkish defence company Kayaci
variety of missions such as border 12-boat swarm. Another USV Defence showcased the new Okhan
protection and meteorological that will be inducted soon is the USV, which has been developed in
data gathering. According to Navy Brainbox Smart Ship Operations collaboration with the Turkish Coast
Maritime Component Commander (SSO), which has been jointly Guard. The vessel, an 11.4-meter
Commodore Garin Golding, the developed by Tardid and Accurate autonomous and operator-control-
unmanned vessel will be used to Industrial Controls. The Brainbox lable vessel, features both electric
patrol New Zealand’s vast Exclusive USV, which can travel at a speed of and diesel engines. With a hybrid
Economic Zone (EEZ). 12 n mile/h, has a payload capacity propulsion system, it can achieve
24 | MARCH - APRIL 2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT
