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The International Defense and Security Exhibition World Defense Show - 2024 continues to work in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, which will end tomorrow. At one of the largest international events, many countries and companies not only demonstrate the latest models of weapons and military equipment, but also negotiate deals for their purchase.
One of the most attractive buyers is the host country of the exhibition, whose defense spending in 2022 amounted to $ 75 billion. According to this indicator, Saudi Arabia is in fifth place in the expert rating, second only to India, Russia, China and the United States. The Kingdom pays great attention to equipping the armed forces with the most modern types of weapons and military equipment for various purposes purchased from foreign manufacturers.
The online edition of Naval News, covering naval topics, reports that at the exhibition in Riyadh, the National Company of Mechanical Systems (NCMS), which is the organizer of the Saudi Arabia stand, presented a large-scale model of the unmanned surface ship MARLIN (USV) in various modifications. The military drone was developed by the Turkish companies Aselsan and Sefine Shipyard for the Royal Navy and may soon enter their service. The model is presented in various payload variants, to which two Kuzgun anti-ship missile launchers have been added aft for the first time.
In an interview with Naval News, an NCMS representative said that negotiations between the interested parties are continuing pending receipt of final requirements and full specifications from the Saudi Arabian Navy. The representative of the company also noted that the USV ship may undergo some modifications adapted to the specific needs of the Royal Navy. The cooperation was highlighted in the official publication of the international defense exhibition announcing the upcoming sea trials of the MARLIN USV.
— it is reported in the magazine World Defense Show - 2024.
An NCMS representative said that although the initial version of the surface drone is equipped with French diesel engines, the second prototype will use Turkish technology with two 600 hp engines capable of reaching a maximum speed of 45 knots. It is expected that the first prototype, known as MARLIN, will undergo modernization, and the second prototype will begin sea trials in June this year and may change its name. As a versatile naval ship with electronic warfare capabilities and reliable weaponry, the MARLIN or its modified version for the Saudi Arabian Navy promises to strengthen the Kingdom's surveillance and strike capabilities in the region.
Unmanned ships of the MARLIN USV type developed by the Turkish companies Aselsan and Sefine Shipyard are already in service with the Turkish and US Navies, the first live firing of the Kuzgun anti-ship missile (Raven) took place in April 2023. Currently, the military-grade marine drone is considered the most modern and largest in the world, its length reaches 15 meters. The autonomous ship is designed to meet the requirements for high speed, seaworthiness and maneuverability, and is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems.
The modular configuration of the ship allows it to be used both for hitting surface targets with guided missiles and destroying submarines with torpedoes. The MARLIN can be easily equipped with various types of payloads to meet operational needs with both single-hull and trimaran hull shapes, as well as optimized for endurance performance, writes Naval News.
The timing of Saudi Arabia's purchase of marine drones from Turkish companies, as well as other parameters of the contract, have not yet been disclosed. However, Naval News calls this deal promising, its final legal formalization will certainly take place in the near future after the parties have agreed on all the technical details.