Anadolu Robotik Starts Sea Tests of Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System

The Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System, jointly developed by Anadolu Robotik and Sekizaltmış Technology, has successfully completed the initial phase of development and started the sea trial stage.

The company announced the start of sea trials by sharing a video on its social media channels. The footage captures the deployment of the ARİDA-M from its hangar to the sea, followed by the USV proceeding at high speed.

“We are continuing sea trials with ARİDA-M, Türkiye’s first fully indigenous autonomous USV, and preparing for the demonstration phase of Phase-1. With a speed capability exceeding 50 knots, full autonomous mission functionality, and designed for the security of the Blue Homeland, ARİDA-M is ushering in a new era.” the company said on X.

First unveiled at the SAHA EXPO 2024, Arida-M is designed to detect and intercept kamikaze USVs targeting naval combatants, offering a new level of protection for critical maritime assets. At the heart of the Arida-M system are the “Muhafız” (meaning “Guard” in English) USVs, which are tasked with the detection and interception of hostile USVs. Each Muhafız USV is a small, 4.5-meter long vessel, with a width of 1.3 meters and a displacement of one ton. Despite their compact size, these vessels carry a payload of up to 30 kilograms, including sensors and communication systems, making them a potent force against incoming threats.

Naval News reached out Anadolu Robotik and learned more about the devleopment of the Arida-M system, project timeline, and capabilities.

“Since 2015, the emergence of kamikaze USVs as an asymmetric threat on the battlefield has revealed the vulnerabilities of existing systems. The most evident examples of this have been observed in the Russia-Ukraine war and in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have targeted merchant vessels trading with or transporting goods to Israel using kamikaze USVs.” said Ahmet Musab YILDIZ, Anadolu Robotik’s CEO and Co-Founder.

“When we began analyzing the effectiveness of these systems, we concluded that their small size and high speed were key factors that made them difficult to detect and neutralize. This raised the question: why not develop a solution using the capabilities we already possess?”

Ahmet Musab YILDIZ, CEO and Co-Founder of Anadolu Robotik

Mr. YILDIZ also mentioned that they realized that for the detection and weapon systems to effectively counter such threats, they would require substantial revisions and the updating of many operational procedures. This is because these systems were originally designed to detect and engage large, cumbersome, and heavy platforms. It was at this point that the concept of MİDA emerged, and the project was launched entirely with internal resources.

MİDA stands for “Muhafiz İnsansız Deniz Aracı”, means Guard Unmanned Surface Vessel.

MİDA Project

The MİDA System is designed to ensure the security of both stationary and mobile maritime platforms against the aforementioned threats. Its primary objective is to detect, monitor, and neutralize threats surrounding strategically important facilities and vessels. The system consists of two subsystems: the Threat Detection and Surveillance System (ARİDA-T) and the Interception System (ARİDA-M).

In line with this objective, ARİDA-T will be capable of detecting and identifying asymmetric threats, USVs, small boats, and surface naval mines within a radius of up to 10 kilometers. Once a threat is detected and identified by ARİDA-T, ARİDA-M will carry out the interception mission.

Thanks to its detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities, the MİDA System is designed to operate in sea state conditions up to 5 and to autonomously engage targetsi The system aims to utilize multi-layered sensing technologies for early threat detection, execute precision engagements when necessary, and employ electronic warfare systems to both protect itself and disrupt the threat’s communication systems.

One of the system’s key features is its ability to operate independently of the platform it is tasked to protect. For instance, it is designed to defend a naval task group operating under emission control (EMCON) conditions against asymmetric threats, without requiring active emissions from the protected force.

Due to the complexity of the concept and the inclusion of multiple advanced subsystems, the entire project has been divided into three main phases, with a demonstration activity planned at the end of each phase.

Project Timeline

In the first phase, an autonomous interception system (ARİDA-M) was to be developed. This subsystem was conceptualized as the project’s “smart munition,” and development began in October 2024. The estimated duration for Phase 1 was set at nine months.

Phase 2 will involve the construction of the detection platform (ARİDA-T) and the production of two additional ARİDA-M units. The goal is to establish the full system configuration for the first time. Additionally, this phase includes work packages for live detonation tests under real-world conditions. The projected duration for Phase 2 is 18 to 24 months, with contingency agreements in place to extend the timeline to 24 months should further sea trials be required.

The demonstration for Phase 1 is scheduled for the second week of June 2025, while the demonstration for Phase 2 is planned for the fourth week of November 2026.