Turkey-based defense company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) introduced a kamikaze unmanned surface vessel (KUSV) called the PİRANA. This crewless drone boat’s designed to attack enemy ships and other coastal targets. It approximately weighs 1,200 kgs and is capable of speeds greater than 50 knots, which is roughly 93 kmph.
In June 2025, a key capability was demonstrated: Bayraktar TB3, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), was used to control the PİRANA via datalink. This matters because when a surface vessel travels far enough from an operator at sea level, it disappears into the curvature of the Earth, making it practically impossible to send signals to it. The TB3 flies overhead and acts as an airborne relay, maintaining contact with the vessel well past that point. The PİRANA is also designed to operate in swarms, where some units keep enemy defense systems occupied while others with a low radar signature approach and strike.
While the drone technically has a range of about 370 km, an operator will likely lose line of sight, along with their ability to stay connected within about 3-5 km. Beyond that, there’s the demonstrated extension of about 40 kms through the Bayraktar TB3. Combining both, only about 45 km of the drone’s range is utilizable through remote control. The complete range of the drone only opens up when it operates autonomously, with the obvious caveat of not having an operator in the loop when something goes wrong. MKE has identified satellite command as its next target, which would push the PİRANA's control well beyond what the TB3 relay currently allows.
