At the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s National Company for Mechanical Systems (NCMS) exhibited the MARLIN unmanned surface vessel (USV), which was developped by the Turkish companies Aselsan and Sefine Shipyard.
At the World Defense Show 2024, a promising export deal came to light: The MARLIN Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), developed through the collaboration of Sefine Shipyard and Aselsan, could soon join the Royal Saudi Navy fleet.
During the event, Naval News took a close look at the USV scale model showcased by the Naval Construction and Maintenance Support (NCMS) team. It featured various payload options. Notably, the addition of two Kuzgun anti-ship missile launchers at the vessel’s aft side was revealed for the first time.
In conversation with Naval News, an NCMS representative shared that negotiations between the involved parties are ongoing, pending final requirements from the Royal Saudi Navy.
“We’re awaiting specifications from the Royal Saudi Navy to solidify our collaboration with Sefine Shipyard.”
NCMS official at WDS 2024
The official also noted that the USV may undergo some modifications tailored to meet the specific needs of the Royal Saudi Navy, suggesting a potential name change from MARLIN.
The collaboration was highlighted in the official publication of the World Defense Show, announcing upcoming sea trials for the MARLIN USV.
“The model displayed at the NCMS booth features four stern-mounted torpedo tubes and two box launchers for small surface-to-air missiles. Its modular design allows for easy mission system swaps, catering to Mine Countermeasure (MCM) or Electronic Warfare (EW) roles,” the magazine reported. Naval News however confirmed with company officials that the box launchers are actually for TUBITAK SAGE’s Kuzgun anti-ship missiles.
NCMS further revealed that while the initial version of the USV is equipped with French diesel engines, the second prototype will utilize Turkish technology with twin 600 HP engines capable of reaching a top speed of 45 knots. The first prototype, known as MARLIN, is expected to undergo upgrades, with the second prototype set to begin sea trials in June.
As a versatile USV with Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities and a robust armament, the MARLIN, or its customized Royal Saudi Navy variant, promises to enhance the Kingdom’s surveillance and strike capabilities in the region.
About MARLIN USV
Turkish SEFİNE Shipyard and ASELSAN unveiled the brand-new MARLIN USV in two NATO exercises in the second half of September 2022, which marked Turkiye’s first participation to REPMUS NATO exercise with unmanned systems. The USV conducted the first live-firing of Kuzgun anti-ship missile in April 2023.
According to SEFİNE and ASELSAN, the Marlin is one of the most capable USV to date, thanks to its size, payload, configuration adaptability, and especially its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, which can be considered a “first” in the field. The payload of MARLIN during the NATO exercises were specifically for EW. The 15-meter ship will provide fleets with off-board jammers, which would be beneficial for surface warfare.
MARLIN is an autonomous USV designed to meet the high speed, sea keeping and maneuverability requirements. The company didn’t share the dimensions and the endurance of the USV due to the confidentiality concerns, but available data suggests that the vessels optimal speed is 12 knots and it can exceed a top speed 36 knots. In addition, MARLIN is rather large, with a length of about 15 meters and a large payload capacity. MARLIN’s special hull form, propulsion system, and auxiliaries, allow it to operate up to Sea State 4 (and navigate in rough seas up to Sea State 5).
It can be configured as an anti-surface warfare (ASUW) with guided missiles, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with torpedoes.
According to SEFINE, MARLIN can easily be fitted with different types of payloads (SSM, Torpedo, EW, Sonobuoy, SATCOM, LOS Communication, Underwater communication…) in order to meet operational needs with both monohull and trimaran hull forms as well as optimized for endurance figures.
