Havelsan, VN Maritime Technologies and Piloda Defence have signed a strategic framework cooperation agreement for the development, marketing, integration and delivery of hybrid surface vessels configurable for manned, unmanned or mixed-mode operations. The deal builds on an existing industrial relationship and targets Italian government and security institutions as primary end users.
Production will take place at Piloda and VN Maritime facilities, with operational sites in Naples, Brindisi and Torre Annunziata. The three partners are targeting the signing of the first purchase order in the first half of 2026.
Background: A €159.2 Million Foundation
The new agreement grows out of a contract signed in 2025, when Piloda Shipyard and VN Maritime began joint production of 40 fifteen-metre vessels for the General Command of the Port Captaincies Corps, the Italian Coast Guard. That program carries a total value of €159.2 million. With the new framework, the partnership extends to hybrid and unmanned platforms, identifying the Guardia di Finanza and other Italian government and security institutions as potential end users.
Hybrid Surface Vessels: One Platform, Three Modes
The defining feature of the agreement is the hybrid vessel concept: a naval unit capable of operating manned, unmanned or in mixed mode, with no structural modifications required to switch between configurations. The platforms support a wide range of missions, from autonomous surveillance and coordinated swarm operations to patrol, search and rescue, transport and boarding activities.
The hybrid design also addresses a regulatory gap. In the absence of consolidated international legislation for fully autonomous vessels, the configuration allows immediate operational deployment by Italian institutions, with the option of embarking personnel when required. A functioning prototype was presented and tested by institutional delegations at the Seafuture 2025 exhibition, held at the Naval Base of La Spezia’s Military Arsenal.
Hull Technology and System Performance
The platforms use the patented ÖK Hull technology, licensed from Icelandic company Rafnar and further developed by VN Maritime. The hull reduces slamming impact by up to 95% compared to conventional V-hull forms, extending vessel lifespan and reducing maintenance requirements. Hull stability also improves onboard system performance: underwater sensors remain submerged for continuous data flow, while cameras, searchlights and electro-optical sensors require less stabilization, removing the need for additional stabilizers.
The command and control integration, handled by Havelsan, focuses on autonomous navigation, sensor fusion and real-time situational awareness. Havelsan has previously deployed unmanned air, land and naval platforms within the Turkish Armed Forces, providing operational experience that informs the current program.
Roles, Responsibilities and Outlook
Each partner holds a defined role under the agreement. Piloda Defence serves as the production hub and system integrator on Italian territory, drawing on more than fifteen years of technical support to Coast Guard and Guardia di Finanza units. VN Maritime Technologies provides naval design and hull technology, adapting the design to the operational requirements of Italian institutions. Havelsan contributes autonomous systems and defense software, including command and control, simulation and sensor fusion capabilities.
The cooperation provides for variants of different sizes and configurations, with applications ranging from defense and maritime security to environmental monitoring. The partners aim to strengthen Italian institutional fleets with platforms manufactured on national territory.
“We are not just building vessels: we are investing in an industrial model that brings advanced skills and technologies to Italy, and specifically to our production sites. Piloda Defence is the first entity with which Havelsan has signed an exclusive agreement: this confirms the strength of our trajectory in the institutional defence sector.”
Donato Di Palo, CEO of Piloda Shipyard and Co-Founder of Piloda Group
“Autonomy is not only about removing the operator from the platform, but about enhancing mission effectiveness through reliable, real-time situational awareness and control.”
Deniz Remzi Dumlu, C4ISR Director, Naval Surface Platforms, Havelsan
Ahmet Yasin Erdogan, Director of B&D and Co-Founder of VN Maritime Technologies, said the objective is to provide “reliable, mission-ready platforms tailored to the evolving needs of Italian and European institutions.” The defense partnership represents a model the three companies intend to scale across different vessel sizes and mission profiles through 2026 and beyond.
