Marlin USV deploys with surface warships for first time during Turkish naval exercise

The Turkish Navy's new Marlin USV operated alongside surface warships for the first time during Exercise ‘Denizkurdu-II 2024' (‘Sea Wolf 2 2024'). (Turkish MND)

The Turkish Navy has deployed its new Marlin unmanned surface vessel (USV) alongside surface combatants for the first time within the scope of a national exercise, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on 31 May.

TCB 1101, which became the first Turkish USV to enter service with the Turkish Navy on 19 January 2024, participated in the service's recently concluded ‘Denizkurdu-II 2024' (‘Sea Wolf 2 2024') exercise series integrated with an electronic warfare (EW) payload, the MND said.

‘Denizkurdu II 2024', which included the participation of more than 100 naval vessels and aircraft in service with the Turkish Navy, was held in the Black Sea, Marmara Sea, Aegean Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea from 9 to 17 May.

Within the scope of the exercise, the Marlin USV participated in the ‘operations in a multithreat environment' phase, during which it conducted EW and reconnaissance-surveillance activities on 14–16 May. The USV also participated in the naval parade during the ‘Distinguished Observer' day on 11 May, the MND said.

“The capabilities gained with the Marlin USV, which were successfully controlled via satellite for the first time in Exercise ‘Denizkurdu-II 2024', demonstrate that our country is a NATO-wide pioneer in this field, and with the entry into service of guided-missile USVs into the inventory in the coming period, the capability will become a force multiplier in a crisis and conflict environment,” the MND added.

Developed by Sefine Shipyard in partnership with Aselsan, Marlin is a family of 15 m armed USVs designed to undertake a range of maritime surveillance and security missions.