Ukraine’s naval arsenal is evolving. The developers of the heavy underwater drone “Marichka” have finally lifted the veil on the capabilities of this sub-surface beast, and the numbers are staggering. Here is what we know about the drone designed to change the rules of engagement in the Black Sea.
In a recent revelation on the Militarnyi podcast “To Arms”, the engineering team behind the heavy unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) “Marichka” — the company Aquatechnic — disclosed key technical details that position this drone as a formidable strategic asset.
The Specs: Distance & Power
The “Marichka” is not just a drone; it is a long-range underwater hunter. The headline figures confirm its massive potential:
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Range: Up to 1,000 kilometers.
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Payload: Approximately 1,000 kg of explosives.
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Speed: Up to 10 km/h.
While the speed suggests a methodical approach rather than a sprint, the payload capacity makes it a catastrophic threat to heavy naval targets and fortified coastal infrastructure.
Stealth and “Sleep Mode”
What makes “Marichka” truly dangerous isn’t just its explosive power, but its patience. The developers emphasized the drone’s ability to operate autonomously using an inertial navigation system, making it resilient to standard electronic warfare.
“The drone’s low visibility to enemy detection systems is ensured by a special hull material and the low-noise operation of its engines”, Aquatechnic representatives stated.
Perhaps the most tactically significant feature is its “Sleep Mode”. The drone can travel to specific coordinates and enter a standby state, lurking underwater for up to one week. Upon receiving a command, it wakes up to execute its attack.
Mission Profile: More Than a Kamikaze
While primarily designed as a loitering munition to strike ships, bridges, and port infrastructure, the platform is modular. Aquatechnic notes that with the right equipment installed, “Marichka” can be repurposed for reconnaissance missions.
Currently, the drone is undergoing active testing and refinement, particularly focusing on its navigation systems and propulsion, though it has not yet been deployed in combat operations.
The Aquatechnic Fleet
“Marichka” is the flagship of a broader ecosystem. Aquatechnic has developed a line of marine and river drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces, including the “Viy”, “Harpoon”, “Dzyga” and “Khoryv 2.0” hulls.
The company’s evolution from 3D-printed hulls to heavy strategic UUVs marks a significant leap in Ukraine’s domestic defense tech sector. With a 1,000 km range and a ton of explosives, “Marichka” is a silent reminder that the deep sea is no longer a safe haven.
