Turkish Navy tests crewed-uncrewed operations and USV strike in 100-ship exercise

The Turkish Navy conducted crewed-uncrewed teaming and a live one-way unmanned surface-vehicle attack during the six-day Denizkurdu-I/2026 exercise. Roughly 100 ships operated across four seas, using networked command arrangements to coordinate conventional vessels with autonomous systems and demonstrate the Pirana strike concept in a large fleet setting. Beyond the individual attack, the exercise tested how unmanned craft can be assigned, controlled, and integrated into wider naval operations, while Turkish officials also used the event to outline future fleet development, procurement, and experimentation priorities across the fleet.