IDEF 2025: MKE unveils Pirana USV
MKE's Pirana USV (foreground) on display at IDEF 2025. (Devrim Yaylali)
Türkiye's Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) unveiled its new Pirana unmanned surface vehicle (USV) at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 held in Istanbul from 22 to 27 July.
The Pirana is a high-speed, remotely operated kamikaze USV designed for precision strikes against enemy naval targets. Equipped with a single-use warhead, the platform is intended to close in on targets at high speed and detonate upon impact, delivering significant offensive capability while eliminating risk to friendly vessels and personnel.
The Pirana is 4.5 m long, with a 1.6 m beam and a 0.35 m draught. It has a total weight of approximately 1,200 kg. Powered by a diesel engine coupled with a waterjet propulsion system, the vessel is capable of cruising at 20 kt and reaching burst speeds of over 40 kt. Its operational range exceeds 200 n miles.
The vessel carries a warhead with a total weight of 65 kg, consisting of a 50 kg main charge and a 15 kg precursor charge. To ensure effectiveness even in suboptimal impact conditions, the Pirana is equipped with three detonators designed to function regardless of the angle of contact with the target.
Designed for operations in conditions up to Sea State 4, the Pirana can be guided via a line-of-sight communication link or through an airborne relay.
During the IDEF 2025 exhibition, MKE told Janes that testing had been conducted with the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) acting as a relay station. This set-up allowed operators stationed aboard the landing helicopter dock TCG Anadolu to remotely control the Pirana beyond line-of-sight distances – at a range of 40 km – through the TB3.
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