Qatar’s ULAQ USV In the Limelight

Our Bureau - : Jan 20, 2026 - : 12:44 am

Weeks after Qatar took delivery of its first ULAQ armed unmanned surface vehicle (USV) from Türkiye, the vessel is attracting eyeballs at the ongoing event.

The display of the vehicle assumes significance in the light of growing maritime security problems in different regions and the need for unmanned maritime capabilities. Qatar is the first international customer of the ULAQ platform, and the vessel is Türkiye’s first USV export project. Potential customers in various regions, including the Middle East and Asia, are said to be interested in the USV. According to Ares Shipyard officials, the company expects to sign additional export contracts of the USV this year.

Developed jointly by Ares Shipyard and Meteksan Defence, the USV, which Qatar took delivery of in December last year, is now operational with the Qatar Coast Guard Command. The contract for the vessel had been signed in October 2024 during the Milipol Qatar Exhibition.

The USV that Qatar has acquired is a ULAQ 11 ISR/PSV variant and has been designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence missions, and critical facility protection activities. IT is equipped with a 12.7 mm remote control weapon system, radar, encrypted communication systems, and autonomous software on a high-capability platform. The autonomous navigation software of the vessel has been developed by Meteksan Defence.

The ULAQ 11 measures 11 meters in length with a beam of 2.6 meters and a draft of 0.6 meters. The platform is powered by twin diesel engines providing a maximum speed of 35 knots and a range of 400 kilometres. The vessel can operate for up to 10 hours at cruising speed.

Joint development of the ULAQ platform family began in 2019, with the first prototype completing sea trials in 2020.The ULAQ product family includes different platform types with unique capabilities and functions. While ULAQ ISR & EW is used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare, the ULAQ ASuV is an anti-surface warfare vessel. As the name suggests, ULAQ 12 MCM is a mine countermeasures vessel while ULAQ ASW is an anti-submarine warfare vessel. ULAQ 15 MPV is a multipurpose vessel.

In December last year, the USV’s ASuW variant was commissioned by the Turkish Navy. The 12-meter-long vessel is equipped with a remotely controlled 12.7 mm weapon station and Roketsan's Tactical Missile Control System, which can fire laser-guided missiles.

The demand for naval unmanned systems has grown exponentially in recent years as maritime threats increase in number and complexity. USVs like ULAQ are capable of protecting life and assets, which make them an attractive proposition.

At the IDEF 2025 exhibition in Istanbul, it was announced that the ULAQ USV series has evolved into an independent company under the name ULAQ Global.