Ukraine Unveils MOBIDIK Unmanned Surface Vessel with Missile-Drone Payload

During the Ukrainian-Nordic DIH Naval Forge 2026 conference, the Ukrainian company Avarid unveiled the MOBIDIK naval drone, which can be equipped with long-range, mid-class drones as well as a missile-drone, among other payloads.

The head of the company shared the specifications of the new unmanned surface vessel with Militarnyi.

According to the company, the new maritime drone is available in six configurations, all of which have already been developed and are currently in operational use.

“The vessel you see here is a fully functional platform that is already in use… I think you’ll be hearing more about us once we deliver our vessels and they begin carrying out combat missions,” he said.

The drone provides up to 120 hours of autonomous operation, has an operational range of up to 1,400 km, a maximum speed of 65 km/h, and maintains seaworthiness in sea states with wave heights up to 1.2 m.

The MD-1 version is equipped with five fixed-wing interceptor UAVs to establish a maritime air defense (AD) barrier. The MD-2 variant serves the same purpose but is configured to carry eight multirotor (quadcopter-type) interceptor UAVs.

The MD-3 version is designed to integrate the company’s in-house developed MORRIGAN medium-strike UAVs for engaging surface vessels, coastal targets, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets at medium range.

The MD-4 version serves as a launch platform for a jet-powered strike UAV designed to engage high-priority targets at strategic ranges.

The MD-5 is equipped with a combined machine gun and missile armament package for engaging both aerial and surface targets. Specifically, it can carry two R-73 or AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, or equivalent systems, as well as a remote weapon station armed with a Browning M2 heavy machine gun.

The MD-6 version is an assault platform that simultaneously serves as a carrier for strike FPV drones and is equipped with a 300 kg warhead for engaging large surface targets and port infrastructure.

The company states that development of the maritime unmanned systems has now been completed and that the program is transitioning to codification and serial production.

During the DIH Naval Forge 2026 conference, participants in two closed panel discussions examined tactical challenges and emerging concepts for the employment of maritime unmanned systems. Military representatives emphasized the need to develop unmanned surface vessels capable of performing multiple mission sets, operating across multiple domains, and remaining effective in a contested environment amid persistent enemy countermeasures.