Engineers from Mindanao State University in the Philippines are working on a unique naval prototype—a “kamikaze drone” designed to resemble a civilian boat. This unconventional unmanned surface vessel (USV) aims to enhance maritime defense capabilities.
The project, dubbed the Philippine Autonomous Littoral Interdiction Drone (Palid), was unveiled during the recent Self-Reliance Defense Posture (SRDP) summit organized by the Philippine Navy in Manila. This marked the platform’s first public appearance.
Built to operate autonomously, the Palid can travel at speeds of up to 40 knots (74 km/h) and has a maximum displacement of 650 kilograms. Its speed and civilian-like appearance suggest it could be used for stealthy interdiction missions in coastal waters.
The development reflects the Philippines’ growing efforts to modernize its defense systems using indigenous innovation and local expertise in response to increasing maritime security challenges.
