Ukraine Unveils New Underwater Drone, the Sea Trident

Ukraine has unveiled Sea Trident, its new long-range underwater drone.

According to military outlet Militarnyi, the Sea Trident underwater drone was presented by the Ukrainian company Global Mark at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris on Monday.

Designed for autonomous maritime operations requiring a low signature, the drone can carry up to 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) of payload and is intended for missions against strategic targets.

Built for long-range autonomous missions

The Sea Trident is equipped with autonomous control systems and adaptive navigation, allowing it to conduct long-range missions with minimal operator involvement.

According to specifications presented at the exhibition, the underwater vehicle has a maximum range of 3,218 kilometers (2,000 miles).

The drone weighs 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds) and measures 10 meters (33 feet) long, two meters (6.6 feet) wide, and 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) high.

Its claimed top speed is 10 knots (11.5 mph), while its cruising speed is 6 knots (6.9 mph). The operational diving depth is up to 60 meters (197 feet).

The manufacturer said the Sea Trident can be used for strike missions, logistics, and cargo delivery, as well as intercepting and neutralizing other unmanned underwater vehicles.

Its low-observable design is intended to allow it to penetrate contested maritime areas undetected, the company said.

Previous developments

Ukraine has developed several classes of naval drones since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Other Topics of Interest

EXPLAINED: Ukraine’s Mid-Range Drone Strikes vs. Russia – Damage Done and What’s Next

Ukraine’s mid-range drone strike has destroyed hundreds of fuel trucks, paralyzed logistics over a vast occupied area in southern Ukraine the size of Arizona/Bulgaria, and nearly blockaded Crimea. Strikes have hit the E-58 highway, Chonhar/Dzhankoi bridges, pontoons, and truck queues, slashing traffic by 71%, according to Ukraine.

The best known is the Magura V5 surface drone, which has a range of up to 800 kilometers (497 miles), carries a warhead of around 320 kilograms (705 pounds), and has been used to damage and destroy Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels.

Ukraine has also fielded the larger Sea Baby drone, capable of carrying heavier explosive payloads and conducting long-range strike missions against maritime and coastal targets.

In terms of underwater drones, Ukrainian developers have previously unveiled the Toloka family of unmanned submersibles, designed for reconnaissance and strike missions.

However, the newly presented Sea Trident significantly expands these capabilities, combining a 3,218-kilometer (2,000-mile) range with the ability to carry up to 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) of payload.