Page 17 - ADT NOV - DEC 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

POISED TO SOAR

Turkish defence firm Meteksan is riding the momentum generated by an
increasing number of export orders, including the sale of the ULAQ 11 USV to Qatar

By ARUN SIVASANKARAN
A nkara-based Turkish 2024 was a big year for the com- demand very high endurance which

pany. In what is Turkey’s first ever
are difficult to achieve with humans
defence technology com-
pany Meteksan Defence
joint venture by Meteksan and Ares
aims to expand its global presence export of an USV, Ulaq Global - a on the front-line.
and enhance international partner- Shipyard – signed a deal with the “ULAQ can better be considered
ships while strengthening its focus Qatari Coast Guard to export the as an un-crewed system, allowing
on emerging technologies such as 11-meters-long ULAQ 11 USV. The less personnel to handle difficult
unmanned surface vessels (USVs), company has since seen growing and risky missions, thus bring-
ing considerable cost feasibility
counter-drone systems, and elec- interest from potential customers in as well,” Akbas added. “ULAQ
tronic warfare (EW). different regions for the USV. The makes these possible with its
naval drone, which will be used
“We aim to diversify our product for intelligence, surveillance and sophisticated hardware & soft-
offerings while maintaining a reconnaissance missions to protect ware designed not only to enable
strong commitment to quality and critical infrastructure, is equipped full remote-control capability but
innovation, ensuring we meet the with a 12.7 mm automatic weapon also to execute predetermined
evolving needs of our customers autonomous missions. Utilizing its
both domestically and interna- system, radar and electrooptical autonomous algorithms and arti-
tionally,” says Burak Akbas, Vice system, encrypted communication ficial intelligence infrastructure,
President, Sales and Marketing, systems, command and control ULAQ platforms can navigate
Meteksan Defence. station and autonomy software. safely, avoid ships/floating plat-
forms as per the COLREGs,
The company is committed to inte- In Huge Demand
grating advanced technologies such
as artificial intelligence (AI) into its The ULAQ family has received
programs, especially for the ULAQ positive feedback from interna-
USV family. According to Akbas, tional buyers, says Akbas. “They
Meteksan is focused on positioning appreciate its innovative design and
itself as a leader in the technologi- capabilities. What sets ULAQ apart
cal transformation of USV systems is its autonomy features, electronic
worldwide. “Our ongoing USV warfare protection capabilities, and
projects include the development the modular structure which allows
of intelligent systems that improve for flexibility for different pay-
decision-making and operational loads. ULAQ can handle complex Burak Akbas, Vice President, Sales
efficiency,” he said. and overwhelming missions that and Marketing, Meteksan Defence
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2024 | 17