STM outlines NETA 300 integration into Turkish MCM vessel

STM NETA 300 AUV at NAVDEX 2025. (Janes/Anish Markose)

STM displayed its NETA 300 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), developed to support mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, during the Euronaval 2026 exhibition, held in Paris from 3-6 November.

STM told Janes during the exhibition that the AUV, first contracted for the Turkish Navy in 2024, was going to be integrated into the Turkish Navy's future MCM vessel. First steel for Dearsan's MHV 80, the Turkish Navy's future YMAG ( Yeni Nesil Mayın Avlama Gemisi : New Generation Minehunting Vessel), was cut on 19 September 2025.

STM's Tengiz Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) is currently in the design phase, with construction and testing scheduled to begin in 2027, according to the company. Tengiz will support missions like intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare, and critical undersea infrastructure protection. The planned operating depth of Tengiz exceeds 400 m, with an endurance of over 20 days.

Despite not owning its own shipyard STM is involved in managing naval programmes across 11 shipyards owned by other companies. STM told Janes that managing these programmes across multiple shipyards requires effective coordination of design, construction, systems integration, and quality assurance processes. The main challenge is to bring the different elements together under a unified project framework as each shipyard has its own infrastructure, production capabilities and working practices, while every navy has specific operational requirements and technical standards.