During the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan 2026 maritime exhibition, held on August 20–23 this year at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard in Kocaeli, Turkish company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri unveiled the İ-ZAHA amphibious unmanned vehicle, known internationally as the U-MAV (Unmanned Marine Assault Vehicle).
Photo: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri
İ-ZAHA is a multirole, modular 4×4 amphibious unmanned vehicle designed to reduce the burden on amphibious assault forces and support manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with tracked ZAHA (Zırhlı Amfibi Hücum Araçları) amphibious armored personnel carriers, known internationally as MAVs, which are already in service with the Turkish Navy (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri) within the Amphibious Marine Brigade (Amfibi Deniz Piyade Tugayı).
FNSS CEO and Board Member Selim Baybaş said:
„FNSS continues to expand its work and R&D investments in unmanned and autonomous vehicle technologies. İ-ZAHA stands out as a next-generation heavy-class unmanned amphibious vehicle that combines FNSS’s engineering capabilities, the field-proven success of the ZAHA Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicle, and our ongoing R&D efforts. The number of companies worldwide capable of producing an unmanned amphibious ground vehicle of this size and with this range of capabilities is extremely limited. With more than 35 years of industry experience and an active production line, FNSS is one of the few NATO suppliers capable of manufacturing different platforms simultaneously. I am proud to say that with İ-ZAHA, FNSS is opening the door to a new era.”
FNSS tarafından geliştirilen, İ-ZAHA Çok Maksatlı Modüler İnsansız Amfibi Araç, ZAHA kullanan deniz piyade birlikleriyle koordineli görev yapacak şekilde tasarlanmış; yeni nesil bir insansız öncü harekât unsurudur. İ-ZAHA’nın temel görevi, ZAHA’lardan önce düşman kıyı… pic.twitter.com/neEQZU4Col
— FNSS Savunma (@FNSS_Savunma) August 20, 2026
As FNSS explains, an amphibious assault is among the most demanding operations across the entire spectrum of warfare and carries one of the highest risks of casualties. Enemy forces deny access to the shoreline with layered minefields and fixed obstacle belts, while deploying machine-gun positions and anti-tank guided missiles to dominate the coast. These obstacle systems slow down the landing force, channel it into engagement zones and increase the effectiveness of enemy fire. Every second of delay affecting the first assault wave favors the defender. This critical period—from the moment the landing force enters weapons range until it crosses the waterline—is decisive for the entire operation; opposing forces exploit this window to disrupt the momentum of the assault and defeat the operation before the main attack can be carried out.
Developed by FNSS, the multirole modular İ-ZAHA is a next-generation unmanned maneuver element designed to operate in close coordination with marine infantry units equipped with manned ZAHA amphibious assault vehicles. İ-ZAHA’s primary mission is to make first contact with enemy coastal defenses at the leading edge of the force ahead of manned landing elements, neutralize mines and obstacles depending on its payload configuration, prepare the beach for the approach and landing of manned ZAHAs, and provide support throughout all subsequent phases of the operation. Autonomous, remotely operated and hybrid control modes will allow operators to maintain distance from the line of contact throughout the mission, while a modular payload architecture configurable with a range of mission systems will enable İ-ZAHA not only to conduct the initial contact, but also to actively participate in all phases of the operation: assault, support, seizure and securing of the beachhead.
One of İ-ZAHA’s most important features is the interchangeability of mission payload modules on a common base platform adapted to different operational profiles. Modules can be replaced in the field in approximately 40 minutes, enabling ten different mission configurations: fire support, mine clearance, engineering support, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, decoy, counter-UAS, navigation and obstacle marking, logistics support, and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). Multiple variants will be able to operate in a coordinated manner within the same mission. The common platform and support infrastructure shared by all variants will minimize logistics requirements while maintaining a high level of operational readiness.
İ-ZAHA is designed to provide seamless sea-to-shore mobility, reaching a swimming speed of 7 knots and a road speed of 70 km/h. Its 300 hp powerpack provides robust and reliable maneuverability at a combat weight of 8 tonnes. With a power-to-weight ratio of 37.5 hp/tonne, the platform retains strong performance during the transition from the waterline to firm terrain. Independent suspension provides high maneuverability, while the choice of tires allows adaptation to different terrain conditions. Low visual, thermal and acoustic signatures increase the platform’s survivability, while a large payload area is available for the mission systems listed above.
İ-ZAHA was designed to operate in autonomous, remotely controlled or hybrid modes. Its encrypted MESH network infrastructure, GNSS/INS satellite and inertial navigation system, and IFF identification friend-or-foe module work together to maintain command-and-control (C2) continuity throughout the operation. The inertial navigation unit maintains an estimated position in environments where satellite navigation signals are jammed or unavailable. The operator communication range is 3 km within line of sight (LOS), with the option to extend it in all variants through an unmanned aerial vehicle acting as a communications relay. Keeping operators aboard the amphibious assault ship throughout the mission reduces the risk of casualties to zero compared with traditional forward assault elements. If the data link is lost, the platform first enters a safe-stop condition and then either automatically returns to base along a pre-programmed route or continues navigation, depending on its configuration.
İ-ZAHA can be transported by road, rail and sea using all available means of transport. When rapid airlift to distant operational areas is required, the platform is compatible with heavy transport helicopters and strategic airlifters such as the CH-47F Chinook, Mi-26, C-130 Hercules, A400M, C-17A Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, An-124 and Il-76.
The image-processing architecture used in İ-ZAHA, based on machine learning (artificial intelligence), analyzes camera feeds in real time on the onboard mission computer, transmitting detection data rather than high-bandwidth video over the radio link. This provides low-latency target recognition in environments with limited bandwidth and disrupted communications. Detected objects are assigned a threat score, type and status using color-coded overlays and detailed intelligence cards. Automated target detection and fire-control systems accelerate the sensor-to-shooter cycle by presenting prioritized targets to the operator, reducing the burden of analysis. All detected targets are tracked and recorded with time stamps. Newly defined target types or engagement rules can be applied immediately to the live image in the field.
İ-ZAHA is the first unmanned vehicle to integrate Nurol Teknoloji’s Armor Integrity structural integrity monitoring system into its digital architecture. With no crew on board to assess hits or damage, the system replaces human evaluation. Its sensors detect the location, direction and force of an impact in real time, calculate the remaining structural strength of the affected area, track hidden damage accumulating over time, and transmit the data to the operator. Using real-time data and systematic tactical analysis, the system provides the commander with options such as maneuvering to protect a weakened area, seeking cover, continuing the mission or assuming a passive role. If communications are lost, the data are stored locally and transmitted once the connection is restored, ensuring that the decision-making cycle – from the operator, through tactical planning, to logistics support – continues without disruption.
İ-ZAHA ve ZAHA, #TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan’da! 🇹🇷@teknofest #fnss #zaha #izaha #teknofest #mavivatan pic.twitter.com/b1iQU1F30k
— FNSS Savunma (@FNSS_Savunma) August 23, 2026
#teknofestmavivatan @teknofest #fnss #teknofest #mavivatan #zaha #izaha #mav #umav pic.twitter.com/rDm2ax5IdB
— FNSS Savunma (@FNSS_Savunma) August 22, 2026
Türkiye’mizin geleceği gençlerimizle bir arada olmaktan büyük mutluluk duyuyoruz. 🇹🇷 @teknofest #fnss #teknofest #mavivatan pic.twitter.com/aEJh6OFYfq
— FNSS Savunma (@FNSS_Savunma) August 22, 2026
TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan 2026’da gerçekleştirilen İ-ZAHA lansmanı kapsamında, Millî Savunma Bakanımız Sayın Yaşar Güler, Genelkurmay Başkanımız Orgeneral Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Savunma Sanayii Başkanımız Sayın Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Deniz Kuvvetleri Komutanımız Oramiral Dr. Ercüment… pic.twitter.com/806H5OBZpI
— FNSS Savunma (@FNSS_Savunma) August 20, 2026
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