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Ukraine Unveils New Low-Profile Naval Drone With Strike and Mothership Capabilities
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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Ukrainian UADEFENSE company has unveiled a new multifunctional unmanned surface vessel, the M.A.K., designed for both river and maritime operations, according to Militarnyi report on February 9.
A company representative presented the drone at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, saying it can operate effectively at sea in waves up to 0.75 meters.
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Ukraine had previouly successfully employed unmanned surface vessels against the Russian Navy. In one notable instance, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that a drone strike critically damaged a Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class submarine (NATO: Improved Kilo), rendering it inoperable. The vessel was reportedly equipped with four Kalibr cruise missile launchers used to attack Ukraine.
The M.A.K. platform is built for low visibility, with only about 30 centimeters of its silhouette rising above the water, and a fiberglass hull to reduce detection.
Powered by a Chinese-made electric engine, the M.A.K. can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. In a suicide drone role, it can carry a 60-kilogram warhead with an autonomous range of 30–50 kilometers, Militarnyi wrote.
Developers highlighted its modular design, including a replaceable deck that can transform the drone into a carrier for other strike systems. In one configuration, it can deploy two additional FPV drones while reducing its main payload, effectively serving as a “drone mothership” to extend operational reach.
The M.A.K. supports multiple communication options, including Starlink satellite link, LTE, mesh radio systems, and fiber-optic control, with operators able to switch between them during missions.
UADEFENSE told Militarnyi that the warhead type can also be adapted to customer needs, and the platform could be used for reconnaissance and logistics tasks as well.
The drone is currently undergoing codification after five months of intensive water trials, with the company noting it is significantly cheaper to produce than similar Ukrainian systems such as Magura or Sea Baby.
Earlier, Ukrainian security forces had struck a Russian tanker from the so-called shadow fleet on December 10, disabling the vessel during a covert maritime operation in the Black Sea.
According to preliminary information, SBU maritime drones—Sea Baby—intercepted and attacked the tanker Dashan while it was moving at full speed with its transponder switched off. The vessel was operating under the flag of the Comoros Islands to conceal its true ownership.
