ARES Shipyard has signed a contract with the Turkish government to provide the Navy’s first Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV).

“We signed the contract for ULAQ ASuW (Anti-Surface Warfare) & ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) with Defence Industry Agency for the needs of Turkish Navy,” ARES tweeted December 27, referring to the SSB agency.

No details on the contract’s value and order quantity were revealed.

In January 2022, ARES Shipyard and Ankara-based Meteksan Defence successfully completed firing tests by integrating a 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon system into the ULAQ Unmanned Surface Vehicle.

Having a cruising range of over 400 kilometers, over 70 kilometers speed per hour, day/night vision possibility, autonomy, crypto and electronic warfare protected communication infrastructure manufactured from advanced composite material, ULAQ AUSV will be able to execute tasks such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Intelligence, Surface Warfare, Asymmetric Warfare, Armed Escort and Force Protection, Strategic Facility Security.

Unlike its version completed in 2021, Turkey’s First Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle ULAQ is equipped with a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon system for critical base/facility and port defense purposes in addition to reconnaissance and patrol missions.

ARES had previously identified Oman, Qatar, and African and South American countries as potential export customers for the ULAQ.

Founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family, ARES Shipyard was initially established to produce marine craft, based on the family’s long tradition of shipbuilding and sailing.

In order to grow the company significantly, a strategic decision was taken to move into the military and commercial sectors, drawing on the company’s expertise in working with steel, aluminum and composite construction.

By investing heavily in elements such as human resources, organization and quality management, integrated logistics support and advanced production technologies, ARES Shipyard has achieved its aim and has secured numerous sales to naval forces, coast guards, maritime law enforcement agencies, and private companies.

ARES Shipyard has built up in over a decade to become Turkey’s fastest-growing company and its largest exporter of military and commercial vessels.