TECH – Turkish defence company SolidAERO, in collaboration with Yonca Shipyard, recently trialed its Talay kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for maritime missions. Leveraging the wing‑in‑ground (WIG) effect, the drone glides mere centimeters above the water surface—making it exceptionally stealthy and difficult for radar systems to detect. The UAV prototype was showcased via footage released by Anadolu Agency during flight tests and will be officially presented at the Istanbul International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025).
Operating at altitudes ranging from as low as 0.3 meters up to approximately 150 meters, Talay capitalizes on the cushion of air created by the WIG effect, increasing lift by an estimated 40%, while remaining hidden beneath typical naval radar coverage. With a payload capacity of 30 kg and a top speed of 200 km/h, the UAV offers a flight endurance of roughly three hours. It also claims a communication range of up to 300 km via beyond‑line‑of‑sight (BLOS) links, likely enabled through relay platforms.
A report from Hürriyet Daily News adds that Talay features foldable wings for rapid deployment from coastal vessels or seabed platforms. It incorporates AI-based flight control and next-generation systems for reconnaissance, strike operations, or logistical tasks. Mass production is expected to commence in October 2026, with initial deliveries slated for January 2027.
Reddit users on r/WeirdWings chimed in on Talay’s design. One noted, “Cruise missile plus ekranoplane is a combination so good it’s utterly baffling why we haven’t seen it yet”.
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Another added skepticism regarding operational limitations:
“Bad weather and choppy seas can cause ekranoplanes to lose ground effect lift and potentially smash into the ocean”.
Strategically, Talay could revolutionize littoral warfare by evading radar and defensive systems, enabling covert strikes on small- or medium-sized vessels, or targeting port infrastructure. It may be deployed autonomously or remotely controlled, operating in Sea State 3 conditions while maintaining stealth.
Experts suggest Talay’s combination of WIG flight, low radar cross-section, and kamikaze strike potential represents a meaningful advancement over traditional loitering munitions or surface drones. While reminiscent of Soviet-era ekranoplans, Talay is tailored specifically for modern unmanned maritime engagements. Its cost-effective design and agility position it as a flexible asset for Turkey’s naval approach in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, challenging conventional maritime force structures.
Talay shows how asymmetrical technologies may shift coastal defence dynamics: it offers stealthy, fast, and expendable strike options, pressuring adversaries to revisit detection systems and defence postures. As UAV sophistication accelerates, systems like Talay underscore the growing importance of low-altitude, radar-evasive platforms in modern conflict.
