Türkiye's unmanned power at sea is reaching the oceans with beyond-line-of-sight communication capability. TUSAŞ subsidiary CTech achieved a historic technology demonstration at the World Defense Show 2026 fair held in Saudi Arabia. The company successfully used its developed AquaARX satellite communication terminal. It remotely controlled an unmanned marine vehicle located in Yalova from the fairground in Riyadh, a distance of 1,400 kilometres. This successful test completely eliminates the operational range limits of domestic UMVs.
The most critical factor determining the operational capacity of unmanned marine platforms is their communication infrastructure. In modern naval warfare, an unmanned vehicle that loses connectivity loses all its functionality. With this live test conducted in Riyadh, CTech showcased the level Turkish engineering has reached in data transmission on the global stage. Fair participants had the opportunity to command a vehicle thousands of kilometres away without any noticeable delay.
The AquaARX Terminal and Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) Capability
The greatest physical limitation of unmanned systems is the Line of Sight constraint. Standard radio frequency (RF) antennas only work up to a certain distance. Due to the Earth's curvature, marine vehicles typically cannot operate more than 30-50 kilometres from the coast. The AquaARX satellite communication terminal developed by CTech overcomes this physical barrier.
The system provides platforms with Beyond Line of Sight (BLoS) communication capability. The 1,400-kilometre satellite link established between Riyadh and Yalova created an uninterrupted command and control capability. This connection proved that the platform can operate anywhere in the world independently of a command centre. Moreover, this technology provides uninterrupted and encrypted data transmission even in rough and challenging sea conditions.
Strategic Depth from the Blue Homeland to the Oceans
The Turkish defence industry has produced unmanned marine vehicles of various classes in recent years. For these platforms, digital infrastructure is as important as their weapon and sensor payloads. In the past, these vehicles were only planned for use in close coastal defence. However, thanks to CTech's national satellite systems, the doctrine in the field has completely changed.
Domestic UMVs will now safely conduct missions at the farthest points of the Blue Homeland or in international waters. In the modern battlefield, where electronic warfare and jamming threats are intense, satellite communication plays a vital role. Secure satellite frequencies directly increase the survivability of UMVs against electronic attacks.
Global Export Potential
Live demonstrating this technology at a global fair like the World Defense Show is a significant engineering showcase. Foreign military delegations personally experienced that a moving marine vehicle could be controlled from thousands of kilometres away. This low-latency command and control system received full marks from participants.
This development will multiply the export potential of armed unmanned marine vehicles (SİDA) produced by Turkish shipyards. Consequently, Türkiye is transcending being merely a shipbuilding nation. Our country is transforming into a technological game-changer, endowing the platforms it produces with global reach and secure communication capabilities.
