Defense company Uforce has unveiled its new Magura MV11 maritime drone, a platform built to transport and launch other uncrewed systems far from shore. The vessel was officially presented during a parade of uncrewed systems organized to mark Ukraine's Independence Day.
Uforce described the MV11 as the largest craft in the Magura lineup and one of the largest autonomous surface drones operating in Europe. The company created the vessel not merely for standalone missions, but as a multipurpose platform capable of serving as a mothership for smaller unmanned craft.
The new maritime drone measures up to 12 metres in length and 3.5 metres in width, offering a cargo capacity of up to 2.2 tonnes. Engineered for extended operations, the craft can remain at sea for up to seven days and travel over 2,000 nautical miles on a single deployment.
The platform is designed to operate in open sea environments, carrying secondary drones deep into offshore waters and launching them far from coastal facilities. Its designated mission roles include maritime reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, direct support for naval operations, and delivering essential fuel and equipment to other autonomous craft.
Development and modular design
The MV11 was designed and constructed by the engineering and research bureau of Uforce, located in Portugal. According to company representatives, the modular architecture of the platform will allow it to support multiple operational configurations and bolster the overall capabilities of Ukraine's uncrewed naval fleet.
By serving as a transport hub, the MV11 allows smaller drones to save fuel during transit and deploy closer to target areas. The vehicle can also carry supply loads to replenish other uncrewed craft operating far from shore base facilities.
Autonomous surface vessels, commonly known as sea drones, have emerged as vital naval assets during maritime conflicts in Eastern Europe. Portugal, a founding member of NATO, has developed a growing marine technology sector, providing advanced engineering research for defense applications.
Combat history of Magura sea drones
The announcement comes following significant operational activity by earlier iterations of the Magura drone series, which recently struck radar installations in Crimea. According to Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, specialized operators from its Group 13 unit have deployed Magura drones to destroy nine Russian ships and damage five others.
Ukrainian intelligence officials reported that Group 13 operators have also destroyed three enemy helicopters, damaged a fourth helicopter, and destroyed two fighter jets belonging to Russia's Black Sea Fleet during operational engagements.
The combat performance of Ukrainian maritime drones has drawn close observation from allied militaries around the globe. United States military forces operating in Asia recently conducted joint training exercises utilizing Ukrainian Magura sea drones to evaluate tactics for autonomous surface craft in modern naval warfare.
