On the Distinguished Observer Day of Exercise Denizkurdu-I/2026, Baykar KALKAN DİHA took off from TCG Anadolu for the first time.
The Turkish Naval Forces' Exercise Denizkurdu-I/2026 witnessed a remarkable demonstration in terms of unmanned systems. KALKAN Vertical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (DİHA), developed by Baykar, took off from TCG Anadolu and carried out its mission for the first time. Within the scope of the same activity, the surface target determined by KALKAN was destroyed by the MKE-produced PİRANA Kamikaze Unmanned Marine Vehicle (KİDA).
The Distinguished Observer Day of Exercise Denizkurdu-I/2026 is held off the coast of Aksaz, Marmaris district of Muğla. In the exercise, the Naval Forces Command, Land and Air Forces, Gendarmerie General Command and Coast Guard elements take part. In total, approximately 14 thousand personnel, 100 ships and 50 air elements are participating in the exercise.
First departure for KALKAN from TCG Anadolu
One of the most striking developments of the exercise was the first use of KALKAN DİHA from TCG Anadolu.
KALKAN, which has just joined the Navy's inventory, is among the unmanned aerial vehicles that eliminate the need for classical runways thanks to its vertical take-off and landing capability. System; It was developed to be used for reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence missions.
The fact that KALKAN operates from a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship such as TCG Anadolu also draws attention in terms of the development of the ship's usage concept with unmanned aerial vehicles. The activity in the exercise enabled the ability of unmanned aerial vehicles to perform missions from naval platforms to be demonstrated in the field.
KALKAN detected, PIRANA destroyed
The second important development was the use of KALKAN DİHA and PİRANA KİDA in the same mission scenario within the scope of the exercise.
The surface target detected by KALKAN DİHA was hit and destroyed by PİRANA KİDA developed by MKE. Thus, a scenario was implemented in which the reconnaissance and detection activity carried out by an airborne unmanned system was completed with an attack carried out via an unmanned marine vehicle.
PİRANA stands out as a kamikaze unmanned marine vehicle developed by MKE. In the statement of the Ministry of National Defense before the exercise, it was stated that the system carries a warhead of approximately 100 kilograms and will attack surface targets.
Unmanned systems worked together
The activity carried out within the scope of Denizkurdu-I set an example for the use of different unmanned platforms within the same mission chain.
In the scenario, PİRANA KİDA's destruction of the surface target following the detection information provided by KALKAN DİHA from the air element revealed a usage concept in which reconnaissance-surveillance and attack missions are shared between different unmanned platforms.
In this approach, it is aimed to use unmanned air and sea vehicles together, as well as manned platforms. The main objectives of the Denizkurdu-I exercise include improving decision-making capabilities in a multi-threat environment and strengthening interoperability between different force elements.
Intense activity in Denizkurdu-I/2026
Exercise Denizkurdu-I/2026, which took place between 20-25 September 2026, is carried out simultaneously in the Black Sea, Marmara Sea, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. In addition to actual weapons training, operational preparation and operation activities in a highly threatening environment are carried out during the exercise.
Within the scope of Distinguished Observer Day, different scenarios for mine hunting, amphibious operations, boarding and joint use of air-sea elements were performed in TCG Anatolia-based activities.
