Turkey’s first armored unmanned surface vessel (AUSV), developed by Ares Shipyard in cooperation with the Ankara-based Meteksan Defense Industry Inc., was launched Friday.
Now that the trial trips for the domestic AUSV have begun, the second stage will be the firing tests after the completion of the tests to be conducted at sea, according to officials.
Releasing a joint statement, Ares Shipyard General Manager Utku Alanç and Meteksan Defense General Manager Selçuk Alparslan said that they are all aware of the importance of the defense of the seas surrounding Turkey, which is dubbed the “Blue Homeland,” along with the security and protection of the country’s maritime continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“In this context, we came together as two private companies and started the ULAQ project, keeping our national interests in the foreground, and being aware of the fact that this is also an example in the defense industry, we continue our work day and night in great cooperation,” the statement said.
The officials of the companies added that from now on, the goal will be to complete sea tests and perform guided missile firing tests.
