NAVDEX 2025: Yonca-Onuk readies Sancar USV for delivery to SSB, starts work on larger variant

A scale model of the Sancar USV on display at NAVDEX 2025. (Janes/Kate Tringham)

Turkish shipbuilder Yonca-Onuk has started the design process for a 22 m unmanned surface vessel (USV) as the company prepares to handover its 12.7 m prototype Sancar to the Turkish Defence Industry Agency (SSB) in the coming months.

Speaking to Janes at the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025, Yavuz Uras, general manager of Yonca-Onuk Shipyard, said its Sancar prototype, under development in partnership with Havelsan for the Turkish Navy, is progressing through the final phase of sea acceptance trials for the autonomous systems onboard, which started in January. The company expects to deliver the vessel to the SSB in late April or early May, Uras added.

Meanwhile, Yonca-Onuk now has its sights set on developing larger variants – the first of which will be a 22 m version based on its MRTP 20 fast patrol boat hull design.

“We have started the design process based on a 22 m length – and this version will have the advantage of more equipment onboard, higher sea keeping up to Sea State 5, and a longer range of more than 500 n miles,” he said.

Further ahead, the shipyard is also looking at development of much smaller versions of around 6–7 m based on a rigid-hulled inflatable boat design, which could be launched from frigates or corvettes.