Türkiye’s SANCAR armed unmanned surface vehicle enters service

February 25, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Türkiye has commissioned the SANCAR armed unmanned surface vehicle (AUSV) into service with the Turkish Navy.

The SANCAR AUSV, commissioned into service during the ceremony, was developed by HAVELSAN and YONCA TEKNİK using national and indigenous technologies. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN and Turkish officials.

The SANCAR incorporates mission autonomy based on the ADVENT combat management system (CMS) architecture, platform control and monitoring systems, mobile ground control stations, as well as value-added national solutions such as AI-based image processing software and secure communication systems.

SANCAR AUSV, equipped with autonomous capabilities and a remote command-and-control infrastructure, is expected to enhance Türkiye’s maritime deterrence.

Its advanced sensor suite, integrated weapon systems, and modular design enable the vessel to carry out a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering, surface combat, and the protection of critical maritime assets.

Developed in line with the operational requirements of the Turkish Naval Forces, SANCAR reflects HAVELSAN’s advanced level in unmanned autonomous systems technologies and serves as a force multiplier through its full compatibility with network-enabled warfare concepts.

The company has also laid the foundation for the Simulator Production and Integration Facility, which is set to become Europe’s largest production and integration hub for simulation technologies once completed.

Havelsan also inaugurated the KAAN Technology Center at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) campus, which will host activities in system engineering, software development, test and validation, platform cybersecurity, and simulation and training solutions.

The center will provide a strategic infrastructure for R&D in advanced software, artificial intelligence, and integrated defense solutions, and will play a key role in the development of national combat management systems, platform integration and network-enabled operational capabilities.

Recently, Havelsan signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Piloda Defence and VN Maritime to collaborate on the development, integration and commercialization of unmanned and hybrid (manned–unmanned) maritime platforms tailored for the Italian market.