unmanned surface vessel

Ukraine reports a first-of-its-kind engagement in which one of its unmanned surface vessels destroyed a Russian kamikaze drone boat at sea. The clash marks a military milestone in the growing battle between robotic vessels in the Black Sea, with both sides increasingly relying on uncrewed craft for attack and defense.

Singapore's navy has launched a new patrol vessel designed to detect and combat unmanned threats, including drones and uncrewed surface or aerial systems. The Straits Times reported the launch, which reflects the Republic of Singapore Navy's push to modernise its fleet against emerging autonomous warfare threats in regional waters.

A Russian FPV drone attempted to attack a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel but was caught by a net launcher, according to reports shared on Ukrainian war-tracking channels. The incident highlights the growing use of net-based counter-drone systems to defend naval drones and other equipment against kamikaze attacks.

A German defense startup demonstrated a 39-foot unmanned surface vessel during a NATO exercise off Portugal, launching attack drones from a boat designed to carry ten of them plus four anti-ship missiles. A smaller 20-foot sister vessel, already operated by the German military, is unarmed. The demonstration highlights how quickly European startups are fielding drone boats for navies as NATO tests new unmanned warfare capabilities.

A demonstration of fully remote subsea operations combining an unmanned surface vehicle with underwater robotics has been reported, allowing tasks to be carried out beneath the surface without a crewed vessel on site. The development points to growing interest in robotic systems for offshore inspection and maintenance work, reducing the need to put people at sea.