In the analysis published in the international maritime defense publication Naval News, the MALAMAN smart bottom mine developed by Türkiye was discussed in detail. In the analysis, it was stated that the mine was dropped into the sea from the Tuzla class TCG Karabiga (P-1205) patrol ship of the Turkish Naval Forces during the Nusret 2026 Invitation Exercise held off the coast of Izmir Bay and Karadeniz Ereğli between 6-16 October. Images of MALAMAN, covered with camouflage that imitates the vegetation on the seabed, being lowered from the ship into the water were widely covered in the international defense press.
HE SELECTS HIS TARGET WITH SENSORS
Developed in cooperation with KoçSavunma, Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) and TÜBİTAK SAGE, MALAMAN was designed as a new generation smart mine system placed on the seabed. According to Naval News’ technical analysis, the system can detect and classify ships passing around it through acoustic, magnetic and pressure sensors. The electronic control unit compares the obtained data with pre-programmed target criteria. Thanks to its ship counter feature, the mine can be activated against a designated target among ships passing through the same area. Its outer coating compatible with the seabed and its design to reduce its acoustic signature also aim to make it difficult to detect the mine.
IT CAN BE RELEASED FROM SUBMARINES AND UNMANNED VEHICLES
One of the most important features of MALAMAN is that it has been developed so that it can be used from different naval platforms. The mine, with a diameter of 533 millimeters, was designed to be dropped from submarine torpedo tubes and was subjected to compatibility checks on REİS class submarines of the Turkish Navy. In August 2026, remote-controlled and autonomous mine-laying trials were carried out using the MARLIN armed unmanned marine vehicle (SİDA). MARLIN’s special release mechanism and mission planning software developed by Sefine Shipyard and ASELSAN were integrated. Thus, MALAMAN can be used with unmanned platforms as well as crewed ships.
EXCEEDS 600 KG
MALAMAN, which was first introduced at IDEF 2023, was also exhibited at the DSA defense fair in Malaysia in 2024. According to the technical information provided by Naval News, the weight of the mine is over 600 kilograms and its length is over 1.8 meters. The system uses a polymer-bonded underwater explosive charge. In February 2024, it was announced that the functional demonstration, including the actual explosion at sea, was completed. 20 warships, five aircraft, various unmanned systems and 32 foreign military observers participated in the Nusret 2026 exercise. According to Naval News analysis, the use of MALAMAN in the multinational exercise involving Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Romania increased the visibility of Türkiye’s domestic mine technology in international military activities.
