Turkey Introduces World's First Sea-Skimming Combat Drone, TALAY

Turkey has unveiled TALAY, the world's first sea-skimming combat drone. The stealthy, production-ready Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft can skim the sea from 30 cm to 100 m, making it ideal for harbor attacks, reconnaissance, and rapid-response maritime operations. TALAY can carry up to 66 pounds of payload, reach 200 km/h, and operate for up to three hours with a 200 km range. Its advanced AI-assisted flight control ensures accurate and adaptable missions, even in sea state three conditions. The drone's compact size and versatility make it a serious maritime threat, particularly in swarm tactics.

Turkey has recently unveiled TALAY, the world's first sea-skimming combat drone. This innovative Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft is designed to skim the sea surface at varying heights, from 30 cm to 100 m, making it ideal for a range of maritime operations. TALAY is capable of reaching speeds up to 200 km/h and can operate for up to three hours with a range of 200 km [1].

The drone's advanced AI-assisted flight control system ensures accurate and adaptable missions, even in challenging sea conditions. TALAY can carry up to 66 pounds of payload, making it suitable for harbor attacks, reconnaissance, and rapid-response operations. Its compact size and versatility position it as a serious maritime threat, particularly when deployed in swarm tactics [1].

The introduction of TALAY marks a significant shift in naval warfare strategy, leveraging stealth and ground-effect flying to evade detection by traditional radar systems. This technology could revolutionize maritime operations, offering new capabilities for patrolling, striking, and conducting harbor attacks in rough sea conditions [1].

The market for aircraft autopilot systems, which underpins the technology used in TALAY, is projected to grow significantly. According to a recent market report, the size of the Aircraft Autopilot System Market is valued at USD 7.1 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 12.6 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 7.48% over the forecast period [2]. This growth is driven by advancements in flight control and automation, integrating technologies such as AI, enhanced sensors, and advanced data systems to improve flight safety and efficiency.

The market report also highlights the increasing focus on autonomous flight capabilities, particularly for UAVs. These advancements are transforming traditional autopilots into highly automated, data-driven systems applicable across commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft [2].

The development and deployment of TALAY underscore Turkey's commitment to innovative defense technologies. As the market for aircraft autopilot systems continues to expand, TALAY's unique capabilities could position Turkey as a leader in advanced maritime drone technology.

References:

[1] https://www.facebook.com/fossbytes/posts/a-turkish-firm-has-launched-talay-the-worlds-first-sea-skimming-multipurpose-dro/1191743172993725/
[2] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/06/3128104/28124/en/Aircraft-Autopilot-Systems-Market-Outlook-to-2034-Autonomous-Flight-Capabilities-Transform-UAV-Operations.html