Turkish defence company Kayacı Defence’s new generation kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV), CELLAT, is attracting attention at the ongoing SAHA 2026.
The vessel was unveiled to the public in the presence of the Deputy Chairman of the Defense Industry Presidency, Prof. Dr. İhsan Kaya. According to company officials, CELLAT offers a powerful solution to the modern unmanned naval warfare concept with its low visibility capability, high speed, long range, and operational flexibility.
Developed entirely with domestic and national resources and through university-industry collaboration, the CELLAT USV is 5 meters long, has a speed of 50 knots, a range of 450 nautical miles, and is designed to carry a payload of up to 500 kg. The vessel is expected to strengthen Türkiye’s unmanned maritime capabilities when it entered service.
CELLAT is capable of operating beyond conventional range limits through satellite communication system integration. This allows the vehicle to reach distant targets under operator control or through autonomous mission profiles. According to company Chairman Hakan Kayacı, initial short tests of the new vehicle have been completed with additional testing to follow soon. The company is confident of getting the system mission ready within a few months.
CELLAT’s introduction is in line with the latest trend of militaries moving away from manned assets toward unmanned systems. Ongoing conflicts have accentuated the critical importance of unmanned surface vessels and other unmanned systems in modern warfare. Aerial and naval kamikaze drones, which are often cost-effective, fast, and autonomous, can be used either individually or as part of swarms for high-impact tactical and strategic strikes.
Kayaci Defence had earlier developed OKHAN, a high-speed, 11.4-meter autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for coast guard, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions. Featuring a hybrid propulsion system, OKHAN, which was unveiled at DIMDEX 2024, achieves speeds up to 27 knots and a 400-nautical-mile range.
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