Qatar Takes Control With Powerful New Usv Capability

Qatar Coast Guard Takes Delivery of First ULAQ Armed USV, Marking Significant Milestone in Unmanned Maritime Capabilities

In December 2025, the Qatar Coast Guard officially took possession of its first ULAQ armed unmanned surface vehicle (USV) from Türkiye’s esteemed Ares Shipyard. This delivery marks a major milestone in the implementation of unmanned maritime capabilities within the Qatari defense forces.

The platform, known as the ULAQ 11 ISR/PSV variant, represents a significant investment by Qatar in enhancing its coastal security operations and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The ULAQ 11 was developed jointly by Ares Shipyard and Meteksan Defence, with the first prototype completing sea trials in 2020.

The platform’s modular design allows for the integration of various payloads depending on mission requirements, making it an attractive option for countries seeking to expand their unmanned maritime capabilities. Qatar’s procurement of the ULAQ follows a rigorous evaluation process, which considered several unmanned surface vehicle options. The Qatari Coast Guard cited the platform’s operational range, payload capacity, and autonomous capabilities as key factors in its selection.

The ULAQ 11 measures 11 meters in length, with a beam of 2.6 meters and a draft of 0.6 meters. Powered by twin diesel engines, the platform can reach speeds of up to 35 knots and maintain a range of 400 kilometers. The vessel is designed for autonomous navigation, with control maintained from a shore-based station.

The ULAQ’s armament includes a SARP-DUAL 12.7mm remotely operated weapon system manufactured by Aselsan, as well as naval radar systems, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and encrypted communication systems. This comprehensive suite of equipment enables the ULAQ to conduct various missions, including coastal patrol, surveillance, and interdiction operations in territorial waters.

One of the key features of the ULAQ is its ability to operate in autonomous, semi-autonomous, or remote-controlled modes. This allows the Qatari Coast Guard to flexibly deploy the vessel to suit different operational requirements, while also ensuring that it can maintain a high level of control and precision during missions.

The delivery of the first ULAQ armed USV marks an important step forward for Qatar’s defense modernization efforts. The platform will undoubtedly play a significant role in enhancing the country’s coastal security capabilities and contributing to regional maritime stability. Unmanned surface vessels have garnered increasing attention within the military and defense communities, with technology continuing to advance at a rapid pace.

While unmanned surface vessels are becoming more sophisticated, they are still not yet widely adopted in naval forces around the world. The Turkish Naval Forces recently commissioned their first ULAQ ASuW variant, marking a significant milestone in the platform’s development and export prospects. The inclusion of unmanned systems in major exercises and capability demonstrations serves as an important testbed for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

The war in Ukraine has further highlighted both the vulnerabilities of traditional warships to unmanned systems and the stark cost asymmetry involved. As countries seek to bolster their defense capabilities, they are increasingly turning to unmanned solutions as a way to reduce operational burdens and enhance tactical options. Qatar’s decision to induct the ULAQ unmanned surface vehicle into service represents a notable development, as the platform is well-suited to the operational environment of the Persian Gulf.

The Turkish defense industry can be seen as having made significant strides in developing the ULAQ platform. Developing a capability entirely from scratch within just five to six years, inducting it into the inventory of the national armed forces, and then achieving an export order in such a short timeframe is a testament to the company’s technical prowess and commercial acumen.

Looking ahead, it is likely that unmanned surface vessels will become increasingly prominent within naval warfare. As countries continue to invest in these systems, we can expect to see significant advancements in their capabilities and operational effectiveness over the coming years. It is essential for countries to continue investing in research and development, as well as developing effective concepts of operations (CONOPS) for integrating unmanned systems into their forces.

The coming decade is likely to witness rapid and wide-ranging developments in unmanned maritime capabilities. Unmanned surface vessels will not replace manned fleets; rather, they are expected to reduce the operational burden on manned units in ISR, patrol, and selected combat roles. Practical battlefield experience, coupled with the growing prominence of a wide variety of unmanned platforms at defense exhibitions and the increasingly open discussion of these capabilities by many navies, underscores a broader reality: future operational planning will increasingly be built around unmanned systems.

As a platform well-suited to the operational environment of the Persian Gulf, ULAQ is expected to significantly enhance Qatar’s intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities in a strategically sensitive region. From the perspective of the Turkish defense industry, this export can be regarded as a major success story, demonstrating the company’s technical prowess and commercial acumen.

The delivery of the first ULAQ armed USV by the Qatar Coast Guard marks an important milestone in the implementation of unmanned maritime capabilities within the Qatari defense forces. The platform’s advanced features and capabilities make it an attractive option for countries seeking to expand their unmanned maritime capabilities, while also contributing to regional maritime stability and enhancing coastal security operations.