The unmanned naval drone is fully integrated with the Advent network-based data-driven combat management system, also developed by Havelsan.
An official ceremony marked the start of the Turkish Armed Forces' use of the new armed naval drone produced by Havelsan, a Turkish defence and advanced technology company. Turkish media reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended today's ceremony.
The unmanned naval drone, named Sancar, is fully integrated with the Advent network-based combat management system, also developed by Havelsan. The 12.7-metre-long Sancar can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. This naval drone is equipped with a Stamp-2 stabilised machine gun system (developed by Türkiye's Aselsan) and UMTAS/L-UMTAS cruise missiles (developed by Roketsan).
The advancements in unmanned technology over the last 23 years have enabled Türkiye to reach a level that "leaves the entire world speechless," Erdoğan emphasised in his remarks during the ceremony. According to Erdoğan, the nation has advanced to a point where its wider security strategy is built on technological independence. "Türkiye now designs its own technology, produces its own software, and exports its products worldwide," said Erdoğan. "With the Sancar drone, we are strengthening our unmanned capabilities at sea, enhancing our security, efficiency, and surveillance capabilities," the Turkish President added. The ceremony also marked the inauguration of the new Havelsan complex. Erdoğan stated that the investments represent the continuation of strategic measures aimed at strengthening Türkiye's defence ecosystem's overall capacity and global impact. Once completed, the new Havelsan complex will be Europe's largest production and integration facility for simulation technologies.
Years of investment have transformed Türkiye from a country heavily dependent on foreign defence systems to one where domestically developed platforms meet nearly all needs. This process, which began in the early 2000s, has led to the development of a wide range of air, land, and naval platforms, reducing dependence on foreign markets from approximately 80% to less than 20% today. By 2025, Turkish defence industry exports are expected to increase by approximately 48% annually, exceeding $10 billion. More than 3,500 companies operate in Türkiye's defence sector, employing approximately 100,000 people.