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platform in the Black Sea using FPV
drones launched from a new USV. It
is not the first time that Ukraine has
been innovative with its use of its
sea drones; it had earlier installed
R-73 anti-aircraft missiles on
Magura V5 boats for self-defence
against Russian helicopters.

The Security Service of Ukraine
(SSU) announced, in early
December this year, that Sea
Baby drone boats, armed with
remote-controlled machine guns,
had confronted Russian Flanker-
series fighters, Mi-8/Mi-17 Hip
helicopters, and Raptor patrol boats
during an attack on targets on the
Crimean Peninsula around the
Kerch Bridge.

The success that Ukraine has had
in using multiple cheap and small
USVs to target high-value Russian
military assets and infrastructure
is one of the primary drivers of the Group, along with its subsidiary such as drones and robots. The
USV market that is poised to see Sirehna and Couach Shipyard. The company is expected to develop
major growth over the next decade. USV can be operated from a ship, two 12-meter long USVs by 2027.
According to a GlobalData report, or from ashore, and is capable of The USVs will help the Republic
the global USV market is expected being fully integrated with a frigate, of Korea Navy to build towards the
to grow from US$1.1bn in 2024 to landing helicopter docks or supply “Navy Sea GHOST,” an unmanned
US$2.5bn by 2034, with a com- ships. and manned integrated combat
pound annual growth rate (CAGR) system.
of 6.7% expected between 2025
and 2029. With Ukraine’s use of “We see that an increasing
USVs in the ongoing conflict show- number of navies are equipping A Growing Force
casing their importance in modern themselves or thinking to equip
naval warfare, navies the world over themselves with USVs,” says During the Milipol exhibition in
are expediting the acquisition of Aurore Neuschwander, execu- Qatar this October, Qatar’s Ministry
unmanned maritime systems and tive vice president of drones and of Interior signed a contract for the
making them the cornerstone of unmanned systems and underwa- Ulaq armed USV that is produced
their plans for future wars. ter weapons at Naval Group. “It by Ulaq Global, which is a joint ven-
becomes a glimpse of what future ture by the Turkish companies Ares
naval combat is set to become. Shipyard and Meteksan Defence.
Entering the Fray This new context calls for navies Qatar’s acquisition is the first export
to adapt.” order for a Turkish-made USV.
In response to the increased market
demand for naval drones, France’s The Qatari Coast Guard will use
Naval Group unveiled SeaQuest, South Korean defence firm LIG the Ulaq 11 USV to protect critical
its first USV, at Euronaval in Nex1, which has been selected facilities and carry out intelligence,
November this year. The USV, as the preferred bidder for the surveillance, and reconnaissance
designed to operate in tandem with Defense Acquisition Program (ISR) missions. The USV, which
manned warships, is about 30 feet Administration’s Reconnaissance will be equipped with a 12.7 mm
long and 10 feet wide, and can Unmanned Surface Vessel System remotely operated machine gun, is
be equipped with payloads focus- Development Project, is optimistic expected to be delivered within 12
ing on intelligence, surveillance, about exporting its naval drone months.
reconnaissance and targeting. under development and plans to
The drone was designed by Naval integrate it with other products At DIMDEX 2024 in Doha earlier
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