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Underwater · Autonomous underwater vehicle

STM TENGİZ

A large autonomous underwater-vehicle programme unveiled by STM in May 2026.

Role & capabilities

  • Persistent underwater observation
  • Modular mission carriage
  • Underwater environmental sensing
Concept / announcedConcept / announced
Primary domain
Underwater
System type
Autonomous underwater vehicle
Developer / manufacturer
STM
Origin / production countries
Türkiye
Other names
TENGIZ
Variants / configurations
Not distinguished in reviewed sources
Operators / programme customers
Not identified in reviewed sources

Evidence & current status

Manufacturer claims are distinguished from procurement and acceptance evidence; undisclosed figures have not been estimated.

TENGİZ extends STM's underwater portfolio from the portable NETA 300 toward a much larger autonomous vehicle. The company presented it publicly at SAHA in May 2026 and describes a platform for persistent underwater observation, environmental assessment and carrying modular mission equipment. Its proposed ability to carry smaller systems makes it a different class of programme from a compact seabed-survey AUV.

The published dimensions, displacement, endurance and depth figures are design claims. The launch material reviewed here does not establish completion of sea trials, a production order, naval acceptance or an operational fleet. Consequently the record treats TENGİZ as an announced programme, even though the manufacturer publishes a substantial technical outline.

STM describes compatibility with a standard container footprint, which is relevant to transport planning but does not by itself establish how every ship would launch or recover the vehicle. The maximum speed, long-duration endurance and deep-water rating are separate performance points; no evidence reviewed shows all of them being achieved together. Later updates should record prototype testing, the exact energy configuration and customer milestones before changing its maturity classification.

Sourced specifications

Figures apply to the named configuration. Maximum values are not guaranteed operating performance.

SpecificationReported valueContext & source
ConfigurationLarge autonomous underwater vehicleSupplier-published configuration; payload and operating conditions affect performance. Source ↗
Hull / propulsionNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
Dimensions11.2 m length; 1.6 m diameterSupplier-published configuration; payload and operating conditions affect performance. Source ↗
Displacement / mass17.8 tonnesSupplier-published configuration; payload and operating conditions affect performance. Source ↗
PayloadModular mission equipment and provision for smaller systemsSupplier-published configuration; payload and operating conditions affect performance. Source ↗
EnduranceMore than 20 days advertisedDesign claim; battery/load conditions and demonstrated endurance not established. Source ↗
RangeNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
SpeedMore than 8 knots advertisedSupplier-published configuration; payload and operating conditions affect performance. Source ↗
Operating depthMore than 400 m advertisedSupplier-published configuration; payload and operating conditions affect performance. Source ↗
SensorsNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
Communications / controlNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
Launch / deploymentAdvertised compatibility with 40-foot ISO container dimensionsTransport footprint; specific launch-and-recovery installations not established. Source ↗

Documented milestones

  1. Public debut

    STM announced TENGİZ at SAHA Expo.

    Read the announcement ↗

Publication history

  • — Added in the September 2026 global coverage review, with sources, configuration limits and explicit data gaps.

Suggest a correction to this entry →

Follow the evidence

Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.

  1. STM TENGİZ product description (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  2. STM TENGİZ debut, 7 May 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  3. STM maritime portfolio technical overview (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer

Explore the connections

Manufacturer indexTürkiye

STM

Aircraft and programme links: KARGU, ALPAGU.

Reviewed 20 Sept 2026Read