Türkiye tests unmanned naval capabilities in TURNAs-2026

Views of control screen, a Baykar TB2 UAV camera, and of an MKE Pirana USV during Turkish naval exercise TURNAs-2026 in October, where a Pirana was directed into a static target through a control link via a TB2. (MKE)

The Turkish Naval Forces tested the integration of unmanned aerial, surface, underwater, and ground systems with crewed platforms during the TURNAs-2026 exercise, held in the Gulf of Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean from 19-27 October, and dedicated to unmanned systems use.

The exercise involved 17 Turkish defence companies contributing 41 systems, alongside at least 18 vessels, 11 aircraft and approximately 1,300 personnel, according to the Turkish Naval Forces command. The programme included trials of autonomous operations, mine countermeasures, target engagement, and communications between unmanned platforms. The Turkish naval forces aim to use the findings to refine their operational concepts, tactics and doctrine.

Participating platforms covered a broad range of missions, from aerial surveillance and underwater reconnaissance to surface attack and unmanned ground operations.

Unmanned systems

Havelsan participated in TURNAs-2026 with its Sancar and USV-12 unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), Barkan unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and Bulut unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The company provided command and control and situational awareness support through its Advent common operational picture (Advent COP) software. Developed jointly by Havelsan and the Turkish Naval Forces Command's Research Centre Command (ARMERKOM), during the exercise advent cop integrated data from more than 40 participating surface, aerial, ground, and underwater platforms into a common operational picture, according to Havelsan. The software displayed platform positions, status and telemetry data, supporting scenario-based tasking, and coordination between different unmanned systems.