HAVELSAN & CEMRE Partnership to develop ÇAKA H-USV

The HAVELSAN & CEMRE Partnership to develop ÇAKA H-USV marks a groundbreaking collaboration between Turkey’s leading defense technology company and one of the country’s premier private shipbuilding companies. This strategic alliance focuses on advancing the development and production of the innovative ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle (H-USV), representing a significant milestone in Turkey’s autonomous naval capabilities and maritime defense technology.

Key Partnership Details

The comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a framework for collaboration across multiple phases of the ÇAKA H-USV project:

• Design and Development: Joint engineering efforts to optimize the hybrid unmanned surface vehicle design
• Prototyping: Advanced testing and validation of the ÇAKA platform capabilities
• Production: Full-scale manufacturing of production-ready units
• Marketing: Collaborative promotion of the hybrid unmanned surface vehicle technology

This partnership leverages HAVELSAN’s expertise in autonomous systems with CEMRE Shipyard’s proven manufacturing capabilities, creating a powerful combination for naval defense innovation.

ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle

The ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle represents cutting-edge naval technology designed to address modern maritime security challenges. Key features of this revolutionary platform include:

Hybrid Operational Capabilities

The ÇAKA H-USV’s unique hybrid structure enables dual operational modes:

• Surface Operations: Traditional unmanned surface vehicle functionality for reconnaissance and patrol missions
• Submersible Capability: Ability to submerge when tactical situations require stealth operations

Advanced Technology Integration

HAVELSAN’s technological expertise powers the ÇAKA platform with:

• Low Observability Design: Reduced radar and visual signature for enhanced stealth
• Silent Operation: Minimized acoustic signature for covert missions
• Autonomous Navigation: Advanced AI-driven navigation and decision-making systems
• Network-Enabled Capabilities: Integration with broader naval command and control systems

Evolution from KUSV Concept to Production Reality

The ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle builds upon HAVELSAN’s successful Kamikaze USV (KUSV) concept, which debuted as a prototype during IDEF 2023. This evolution demonstrates HAVELSAN’s commitment to advancing high-speed unmanned naval platforms from concept to operational reality.

The transition from prototype to production-ready system showcases Turkey’s growing capabilities in autonomous naval defense technologies and represents a significant step forward in indigenous defense manufacturing.

CEMRE Shipyard

CEMRE Shipyard brings substantial maritime manufacturing expertise to this partnership, with notable achievements including:

International Recognition

• European Market Leadership: Established reputation for custom-built commercial vessels
• Zero-Emission Technology: Pioneering environmentally sustainable shipbuilding solutions
• Methanol-Powered Vessels: Advanced alternative fuel propulsion systems

Defense Sector Entry

In June 2025, CEMRE Shipyard achieved a crucial milestone by obtaining Military Shipbuilding Certification, officially qualifying the company for defense sector participation. This HAVELSAN partnership represents CEMRE’s inaugural project in unmanned military maritime platforms.

Strategic Implications for Turkish Naval Defense

This HAVELSAN-CEMRE collaboration carries significant implications for Turkey’s naval defense capabilities:

Indigenous Technology Development

The partnership strengthens Turkey’s autonomous naval technology base, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers while building domestic expertise in critical defense technologies.

Export Potential

The ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle positions Turkey as a competitive player in the global maritime defense market, with potential for international sales and technology transfer agreements.

Operational Advantages

Naval forces equipped with ÇAKA H-USV platforms will benefit from:

• Enhanced maritime domain awareness
• Reduced risk to human personnel
• Cost-effective persistent surveillance capabilities
• Flexible deployment options for various mission profiles

Future Development Phases and Variants

The initial focus on delivering a production-ready ÇAKA H-USV represents just the beginning of this strategic partnership. Future phases will explore:

• Multiple Configurations: Adaptation of the hybrid unmanned surface vehicle for different mission requirements
• Specialized Variants: Development of mission-specific versions for reconnaissance, patrol, and defense roles
• Technology Enhancement: Continuous improvement of autonomous capabilities and operational effectiveness

Market Impact and Industry Significance

This partnership demonstrates the maturation of Turkey’s defense industry ecosystem, where established technology companies like HAVELSAN collaborate with manufacturing specialists like CEMRE Shipyard to deliver advanced military systems.

The hybrid unmanned surface vehicle market represents a growing segment within naval defense, driven by increasing demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and cost-effective force multiplication solutions.

Don’t miss this: HAVELSAN, Karel Europe Sign Defense Tech Deal at IDEF 2025

Advancing Naval Autonomy Through Strategic Collaboration

The HAVELSAN-CEMRE Shipyard partnership for ÇAKA Hybrid Unmanned Surface Vehicle development represents a significant advancement in Turkish naval defense capabilities. By combining HAVELSAN’s autonomous systems expertise with CEMRE’s manufacturing excellence, this collaboration positions Turkey as an emerging leader in hybrid unmanned maritime platforms.

As the ÇAKA H-USV moves from concept to production, this partnership exemplifies how strategic collaboration between technology developers and manufacturing specialists can accelerate the delivery of advanced defense capabilities to operational forces.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for real-time coverage of defense events worldwide.