Turkish Navy’s PİRANA USV: New Kamikaze Drone Boat & TB3 Drone Integration

Turkey’s Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) has unveiled the PİRANA, a kamikaze unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed to bolster the Turkish Navy’s capabilities, with the system entering service this month. The unveiling marks a significant step in Turkey’s development of asymmetric naval warfare solutions, focusing on cost-effectiveness and operational impact.

Developed under an “effective, simple, low-cost” (EBU) approach, the PİRANA is intended to operate both independently and as part of a swarm, according to MKE officials. In a swarm configuration, some vessels will act as decoys, drawing enemy fire and attention away from the primary strike units. These decoys will utilize their low radar cross-section to complicate enemy targeting although other PİRANA units approach and detonate a 100-kilogram warhead to destroy their targets.

The USV is capable of exceeding 40 knots and boasts high maneuverability, making it suitable for rapid response scenarios. Its operational range extends beyond 200 nautical miles, enabling engagement of targets at considerable distances. The PİRANA utilizes both radio frequency (RF) and SATCOM communication systems, allowing for remote control or autonomous operation, and removing geographical limitations through satellite connectivity.

During trials conducted in 2025, the PİRANA successfully engaged a target measuring approximately 3.5 meters in size with a direct hit, demonstrating the system’s precision strike capability. Further tests in June 2025 saw the PİRANA integrated with the Turkish Navy’s amphibious assault ship, TCG Anadolu, and the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle. Control of the USV was initially managed from the TCG Anadolu before being transferred to the TB3 drone, which then guided the PİRANA to its target. This demonstrated the ability to control unmanned surface vessels in real-time from airborne platforms, extending operational reach and enhancing targeting flexibility.

MKE describes the PİRANA as a maritime loitering munition, designed to strike vessels or coastal infrastructure without risking crewed assets. The system’s combination of speed, range, and remote control options is intended to make detection and interception difficult in contested maritime environments. The company emphasized the integration of the PİRANA with other unmanned systems as a key element of the program’s development.