Turkish authorities destroyed an armed unmanned surface vessel after it washed ashore on the country’s Black Sea coast on March 20, 2026.
The military carried out a controlled blast after confirming the craft was still active and carrying munitions.
The vessel, identified as an AEGIR-W, was found on a beach in the Yüceler area of Ünye district in Ordu province.
Civilians first noticed the object on Friday afternoon and informed authorities. Gendarmerie teams quickly reached the site and secured the area to keep people away.
On March 21, specialists from Istanbul’s SAS Group Command and Turkish Navy explosive ordnance disposal teams inspected the vessel.
According to the Ordu Governor’s Office, the examination showed that the craft was still operational and fitted with a warhead. As a safety step, nearby homes were evacuated.
Görseller üzerinden yapılan incelemelerde, bahsi geçen İDA’nın, AEGIR ailesinin AEGIR-W adlı üyesi olduğu görülüyor.
Yaklaşık 10 metre uzunluğundaki AEGIR-W, azami 900 kilometre menzile sahip ve 25+ knot sürate ulaşabiliyor. Otonom olarak görev icra edebilen İDA’nın faydalı yük… https://t.co/Uqdb24Z73G pic.twitter.com/jZ3DjBbdx0
— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) March 21, 2026
After the inspection, authorities decided to move the vessel away from the shore. It was towed about 4 kilometres offshore and then destroyed in a controlled detonation. Officials said the operation was completed safely without…
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