UDT 2024: Aselsan to start work on second Deringöz AUV variant

A full-scale model of Aselsan's first Deringöz AUV under development on display at UDT 2024. The company is set to start work on a smaller version this year. (Janes/Kate Tringham)

Aselsan has outlined plans to start expanding its family of Deringöz autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) this year as the first prototype under development progresses through its trials programme.

Speaking to Janes at the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) 2024 conference and exhibition in London on 9 April, an Aselsan spokesperson told that the first prototype is making good progress following the successful completion of its first diving test in early March, and the company was optimistic that the system would complete development in the first or second quarter of 2025.

The AUV will conduct further navigation and guidance testing during April before progressing to trials in deeper water in May, the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the company is planning to start building a second, smaller version this year, which it aims to complete by 2026, according to the spokesperson. Aselsan is planning a family of three Deringöz AUVs in total, although no timeframe has yet been set for the development of the largest version.

Unveiled at the 16th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2023 exhibition in Istanbul, the Deringöz AUV is being developed by Aselsan as a self-funded research and development project.

Designed for both military and civilian applications, it can be used for a wide range of missions, including underwater research and seabed mapping, reconnaissance and surveillance, mine detection, pipeline inspection, and port and base protection.