Azerbaijan has unveiled two newly developed unmanned maritime systems, the armed Salvo unmanned surface vehicle and the Kayra kamikaze unmanned sea vehicle, as concerns grow over security risks in the Caspian Sea. The vessels were jointly developed by Azerbaijan’s MIRAS Military-Industrial Company and Turkey’s Dearsan Shipyard.
Azerbaijani pro-government media said the move reflects a more uncertain security environment in the Caspian region. Factors cited include Israeli strikes on Iranian military facilities in the Caspian, the wider reach of the Russia-Ukraine war and drone attacks on infrastructure linked to the region.
Protecting energy infrastructure has become a key priority. A significant share of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas facilities is located in the Caspian Sea, while attacks involving Caspian Pipeline Consortium facilities and tankers carrying Kazakh oil have highlighted vulnerabilities along energy export routes. Modern weapons can threaten ports, ships, offshore platforms and other critical infrastructure from long distances, the reports said.
The development of naval drones also reflects lessons from the war in Ukraine, where relatively inexpensive unmanned systems have challenged Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. Azerbaijan’s experience with unmanned aerial vehicles during the 2020 Karabakh war has similarly shaped its focus on cost-effective, technologically advanced and precise weapons.
According to pro-government Haqqin.az, the Salvo is a multi-purpose vessel intended for coastal operations, border patrols, surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-smuggling missions. The Kayra is designed mainly for asymmetric warfare and strike operations and can be used against ships, naval bases, ports and coastal facilities, as well as for reconnaissance.
Azerbaijan has also developed smaller kamikaze naval drones, Sugovushan and Kalan, and acquired Israeli-made Sea Breaker and Ice Breaker precision missiles with ranges of up to 300 km against maritime and coastal targets.
The combination of naval drones and long-range precision weapons is expected to strengthen Azerbaijan’s ability to monitor and protect its maritime zone and energy infrastructure. The move could also contribute to a changing balance of power in the Caspian Sea.
