What ARES Shipyard does

ARES Shipyard is a privately held Turkish defense shipbuilder founded in 2006 and headquartered in Antalya, with a workforce of 251–500 employees. The company designs and builds unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for navies, coast guards, and maritime enforcement agencies, anchored by the ULAQ product family developed in partnership with Meteksan Defence. The ULAQ line includes the base ULAQ AUSV (armed), ULAQ 11 ISR/PSV (port security variant), ULAQ ASuW (anti-surface warfare, nearing operational deployment), and ULAQ KAMA (extended variant). Technical capabilities include cruising ranges exceeding 400 km, speeds over 70 km/h, autonomous navigation and target acquisition, and containerized command-and-control systems capable of coordinating up to 12 USVs in swarm operations. The platform integrates weapons from the Turkish defense supply chain, including Aselsan's SARP-DUAL 12.7mm remotely operated weapon system and Roketsan's ÇAKIR anti-ship missiles with 150 km range.

ARES Shipyard generates revenue through one-time capital equipment sales of complete USV platforms and integrated payload systems to government defense customers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts are negotiated directly with ministries and coast guards. The company's go-to-market relies on participation in major international defense exhibitions—IDEF 2025, DIMDEX 2026, and Milipol Qatar 2024—to demonstrate capabilities and close deals with government buyers. Confirmed customers include the Qatar Emiri Coast Guard (ULAQ 11 PSV export, Turkey's first USV export and the Gulf region's first operational USV deployment) and the Turkish Navy (expected ULAQ deliveries). In July 2025, the company launched Ulaq Global, a weapon-agnostic venture for international expansion of the platform beyond the armed-variant configuration. The company achieved the world's first guided missile firing from a USV in May 2021, a credential that anchors its technical brand. Leadership consists of CEO Ozgun Alanc; broader management team data is not disclosed in the available sources.

Name

ARES Shipyard

Legal name

ARES Shipyard

Website

https://ares.global

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

ARES Shipyard is a Turkish defense shipbuilder that designs and builds unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for navies, coast guards, and maritime enforcement agencies, anchored by the ULAQ platform family developed with Meteksan Defence and exported internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Defense Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (33661), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE), Unmanned Naval Vessels (USV/UUV) (IMAJABAH), Patrol & Littoral Security Craft (OPV, Fast Attack, Interceptors) (IMAJABAE), Naval Weapons & Launch Systems (Guns, VLS, Torpedoes Interfaces) (IMAJABAK), Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Unmanned surface vessels
• Naval defense shipbuilding
• Armed USV platforms
• Maritime surveillance vessels
• Military ship design

Headquarters

HQ city

Antalya

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Platform Sales: ARES Shipyard generates revenue through the sale of unmanned surface vessels to government defense customers. The company exports complete USV platforms with integrated payload systems, representing one-time capital equipment sales to national defense forces.
2. Payload Integration Services: Revenue generated from integrating weapons systems (SARP-DUAL, missiles) and sensor payloads into USV platforms, customizing platforms for specific mission requirements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

ARES Shipyard designs and builds unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for naval, coast guard, and maritime enforcement agencies. Its ULAQ platform family includes armed, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (ISR), port-security, and kamikaze variants equipped with electro-optical sensors, missiles, and remote weapons stations. The vessels are sold to defense ministries and coast guards as turnkey platforms.

Product overview

ARES Shipyard offers the ULAQ family of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), a suite of autonomous naval platforms developed in partnership with Meteksan Defence. The portfolio includes the ULAQ AUSV (base armed platform), ULAQ 11 ISR/PSV (Port Security Variant), ULAQ ASuW (Anti-Surface Warfare), and ULAQ KAMA variants. These USVs operate via containerised command-and-control systems capable of managing up to 12 USVs in coordinated swarm operations. Key features include cruising ranges exceeding 400 kilometers, speeds over 70 km/h, autonomous capabilities for reconnaissance and surveillance, and integration of weapon systems such as Aselsan's SARP-DUAL 12.7mm remotely operated weapon system. The company has announced Ulaq Global as a weapon-agnostic venture for broader market reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ULAQ: Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) family developed jointly by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence. Includes armed, ISR/PSV, and anti-surface warfare variants.
• ULAQ Global

Products and services

• ULAQ AUSV (Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle)
• ULAQ ASuW (Anti-Surface Warfare USV)
• ULAQ 11 ISR/PSV (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance / Port Security Vessel)
• ULAQ KAMA

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ km operational range enabling extended maritime patrol missions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Meteksan DefencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Joint development partnership for ULAQ USV family. Meteksan Defence provides sensor integration and command-and-control systems. Partnership achieved world's first guided missile firing from a USV. Established venture called Ulaq Global for international expansion.
• AselsancoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2025Aselsan provides the SARP-DUAL 12.7mm remotely operated weapon system integrated into ULAQ USV platforms. This weapon system provides precision fire capabilities for the armed unmanned surface vessels.
• Qatar Ministry of InteriorflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExport customer for ULAQ 11 PSV. Qatar signed agreement at Milipol Qatar 2024 for first domestically produced Turkish USV. Vessel deployed by Qatari Coast Guard for maritime security missions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg develops autonomous and unmanned surface/underwater platforms (including the Sea Glider and USV programs) as part of a broader maritime technology portfolio. Comparable in naval autonomy and USV/UUV capabilities, with deep ties to NATO-aligned navies that ARES cannot easily access.
• L3Harris Technologies: Through its ASV (formerly Atlas Elektronik UK) business, L3Harris builds and operates autonomous surface vessels for navies and commercial customers worldwide. Comparable as a USV supplier, but with a much broader defense and communications portfolio and access to Western-aligned procurement channels ARES cannot enter.
• Saab: Swedish defense company producing unmanned surface vessels (e.g., SAMAR) and underwater systems for naval customers alongside a broader defense portfolio. Comparable in autonomous naval platforms and in serving similar coast-guard and navy mission sets, with a footprint in Western-aligned procurement.
• ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems: Through Atlas Elektronik, TKMS produces unmanned underwater vehicles and integrated naval combat systems for NATO-aligned navies. Comparable in unmanned naval systems and naval weapons integration, with access to German/EU procurement markets outside ARES's reach.
• Elbit Systems: Large Israeli defense company producing unmanned maritime systems (including USVs) plus a broad portfolio of naval, land, and C4I solutions. Directly comparable as an armed USV competitor in non-aligned and Gulf markets, though operating at much larger scale and across multiple domains.
• BAE Systems: Global defense prime with growing unmanned surface and underwater vessel programs (e.g., Herne, ARCIMS). Comparable as a naval-platform competitor with significant resources and Western-aligned procurement access, though typically positioned at larger and more integrated shipborne solutions than ARES's USV niche.

Direct peers

• Textron Systems: Textron produces the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) used by the US Navy for mine countermeasures and other missions. Closely comparable as an armed/utility USV peer, though anchored in US/NATO procurement and integrated with different sensor/weapon stacks.
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): IAI produces the KATANA family of unmanned surface vessels and other naval autonomous platforms, making it the closest direct peer to ARES's ULAQ. Comparable in mission profile (armed ISR/ASuW), customer base (navies and coast guards), and export-driven GTM in non-Western markets.

Emerging players

• Saildrone: Saildrone builds wind- and solar-powered autonomous surface vessels primarily for ISR, hydrography, and maritime domain awareness. Comparable as a USV platform developer, though its current portfolio is unarmed and focused on surveillance rather than ASuW missions.
• Saronic Technologies: US-based startup developing autonomous surface vessels for naval and maritime security customers with significant venture backing. Comparable as an emerging USV competitor pursuing similar navy/coast-guard customers, though focused on smaller autonomous platforms rather than large armed combatants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ARESShipyard
• Facebookfacebook.com/AresShipyard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aresshipyard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ARES Shipyard