HAVELSAN has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Türkiye’s leading private shipbuilder, CEMRE Shipyard, to jointly develop and market Hybrid and Submersible Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicles (H-USVs). The partnership marks a significant advancement in Türkiye’s indigenous capabilities in unmanned naval technologies.
ÇAKA: A New Frontier in Naval Autonomy
The collaboration focuses on the development of the ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle, a next-generation platform capable of both surface and sub-surface operations. Designed with a hybrid structure, the ÇAKA H-USV features low observability, quiet propulsion, and underwater maneuverability. It is optimized for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as advanced maritime security operations.
HAVELSAN brings to the project its proven capabilities in autonomous systems, network-enabled warfare, and integrated platform control technologies. The ÇAKA H-USV also builds upon the company’s Kamikaze Unmanned Surface Vehicle (KUSV) concept, which was first introduced during IDEF 2023.
CEMRE Shipyard Enters the Defense Domain
CEMRE Shipyard, internationally recognized for its environmentally friendly and methanol-powered commercial vessels, received its Military Shipbuilding Certification in June 2025. The agreement with HAVELSAN marks CEMRE’s entry into the defense industry, demonstrating the growing integration between Türkiye’s commercial and defense maritime sectors.
Scope and Objectives of the MoU
The agreement—titled “Cooperation Protocol on the Design, Development, Production, and Marketing of Hybrid and Submersible Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicles”—sets out a phased development plan. The initial phase aims to deliver a production-ready ÇAKA H-USV, followed by the creation of mission-specific variants in future stages.
This strategic alignment enables both companies to leverage complementary strengths—HAVELSAN’s expertise in digital defense solutions and CEMRE’s industrial-scale shipbuilding infrastructure.
Strengthening Türkiye’s Defense Ecosystem
The partnership signifies a major step forward in Türkiye’s pursuit of indigenous and export-ready unmanned maritime solutions. It reflects a shared commitment to enhancing operational effectiveness, technological independence, and international competitiveness in the naval defense sector.
