The Azerbaijan Navy has made strides in enhancing its maritime security capabilities by showcasing the Turkish-built “Salvo” unmanned surface vessel (USV) for the first time during a live-fire exercise in the Caspian Sea. This event marks a significant development in Azerbaijan’s naval capacity, particularly aimed at protecting vital marine energy infrastructure.
Political analyst Fuad Shahbazov highlighted the drill on social media, providing insight into Azerbaijan’s strategic military focus as its oil and gas exports to the European Union continue to grow. This uptick in exports aligns with the EU’s efforts to decrease its dependence on Russian energy sources, as noted by fellow analyst Gadir Aslan. While specific details regarding the acquisition date of the Salvo remain undisclosed, its deployment during the exercise hints at a rapid enhancement of Azerbaijani naval capabilities.
The Salvo USV, unveiled in 2022, is a technologically advanced platform that offers various operational features. It can be equipped with a 12.7mm stabilized machine gun and guided missile system, achieving speeds of up to 60 knots (111 kilometers/69 miles per hour). With an operational range of approximately 300 nautical miles (550 kilometers/345 miles), the vessel can be controlled from both shore-based command centers and naval ships, making it versatile for a variety of missions.
Designed for tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering, surface and asymmetric warfare, armed escort, and the safeguarding of strategic facilities, the Salvo is available in multiple configurations. This includes a 15-meter (49-foot) intelligence and surveillance variant and an 11-meter (36-foot) version available in two distinct setups.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s acquisition of the Salvo USV highlights the strengthening ties between Ankara and Baku in the realm of unmanned systems. This collaboration is indicative of Turkey’s growing reputation in drone warfare. Recently, Ankara signed an export agreement with Qatar for the ULAQ 11 unmanned surface vessel, a product of Turkish defense firm Meteksan. In addition to these platforms, Turkish defense companies have introduced other advancements in unmanned systems, such as the SANCAR armed USV, developed through a partnership between Yonca Onuk and Havelsan, and the ALBATROS USV swarm, designed by Aselsan.
As Azerbaijan continues to bolster its maritime capabilities, the introduction of the Salvo USV reflects broader geopolitical trends and underscores the importance of modern technology in contemporary naval warfare.
