Turkey demonstrates MALAMAN smart mine in Nusret 2026 exercise
The Turkish Navy field-tested its domestically developed MALAMAN smart bottom mine during the multinational Nusret 2026 exercise, deploying it from a patrol boat for the first time in a comprehensive operational setting.
The Turkish Navy deployed the domestically developed MALAMAN smart bottom mine from the Tuzla-class patrol boat TCG Karabiga during the Nusret 2026 exercise. This marked the system's first comprehensive field use in a multinational environment. The exercise was hosted by Türkiye from October 6 to 16 in the Gulf of Izmir and off Karadeniz Ereğli in the Black Sea.
MALAMAN system capabilities and development
The MALAMAN smart bottom mine was developed by Turkish defense firms KoçSavunma, MKE, and TÜBİTAK SAGE. It was first publicly shown at IDEF 2023 and again at DSA 2024 in Malaysia. At DSA 2024, KoçSavunma stated the system had completed a functional demonstration in February 2024, including a live detonation at sea, and was undergoing final acceptance procedures.
The mine uses acoustic, magnetic, and pressure sensors for target detection and classification. Its onboard electronics determine if a vessel meets pre-set engagement criteria. It can be programmed using ship counters to engage a selected vessel among multiple targets.
MALAMAN can be deployed from surface ships, submarines, aircraft, and unmanned surface vessels. Its 533 mm diameter allows launch from submarine torpedo tubes. The system is produced in both combat and exercise configurations.
Technical specifications presented at DSA 2024 include:
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | Exceeding 600 kg |
| Length | Exceeding 1,800 mm |
| Explosive Charge | Plastic-bonded underwater explosive |
Development addressed the Turkish Navy's modern mine warfare requirements. Integration required a custom mine carriage and release apparatus and mission-planning software for autonomous operations. Türkiye’s MARLIN unmanned surface vehicle, developed by Sefine Shipyard and ASELSAN, completed trials laying MALAMAN mines in August 2026. These trials involved both remote-controlled and autonomous mine-laying modes.
Exercise context and multinational participation
Nusret 2026 was a large-scale invitational exercise involving extensive NATO and allied participation. Approximately 20 naval vessels, five aircraft, and various unmanned systems took part.
NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) participated with assets from Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Türkiye. The Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group included ships from Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye. Explosive Ordnance Disposal and autonomous underwater vehicle teams from the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Romania, and Oman were also involved.
A separate very-shallow-water scenario at Ilıksu Beach involved 59 personnel from Turkey, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Romania, and Oman. Thirty-two international military observers attended the exercise overall, with 89 foreign personnel from 26 countries present for Distinguished Observer Day on October 13.
Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Commander of Naval Forces, described the exercise's purpose as sharpening mine warfare planning and execution skills and deepening allied interoperability.
Operational demonstration and neutralization
The mine deployment from TCG Karabiga was a key operational milestone. The mine was wrapped in artificial-grass camouflage to reduce visual and acoustic detectability, mimicking seabed vegetation.
The minehunter TCG Anamur later located the deployed mine using a remotely operated underwater vehicle. Mine-warfare divers aboard the minehunter TCG Amasra then neutralized it. In another exercise vignette, underwater defense commandos neutralized a drifting mine.
The demonstration showcased Turkey's advancing mine warfare capability. The next milestone is a decision on serial production and formal entry into the Naval Forces inventory, though no specific timeline has been set.
