Qatari Firm Performance Marine Unveils Armed Ghost 7 USV, Targets 2026 Sea Trials
Qatari company Performance Marine has taken the wraps off its new armed unmanned surface vessel, the Ghost 7, at the DIMDEX 2026 exhibition in Doha, with plans to begin sea trials this year. The privately-held firm aims to market the seven-meter-long drone boat both to the Qatari military and for export across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), signaling a growing indigenous defense manufacturing push in the region.
The vessel was unveiled by Sheikh Hassan Al Thani, CEO of Performance Marine, who told Breaking Defense that the immediate goal is to finalize the proof-of-concept through testing. “We need to finalize the proof-of-concept [through] water [trials], [we will] do a regular testing, and then we go for the local end user,” Al Thani said. He confirmed the company is actively pursuing exports, with talks underway with the UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Kuwait. “We’re going abroad as well… Our next stop will be in Riyadh [for World Defense Show]. We’re exploring more markets,” the CEO added.
The Ghost 7 is being offered in two primary modular configurations: one for naval combat and another for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Dave Kriner, the company’s chief integration officer, detailed the setups. The combat variant, displayed on the show floor, features a sensor-laden deterrence turret with optronics, a searchlight, a dazzling laser, and an AIS transponder. It is also armed with a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) and a launcher for APKWS laser-guided rockets. Kriner emphasized the modularity, noting the exact configuration is subject to “individual customer request.” The ISR version swaps the heavy turret for a rotary-wing drone, extending its surveillance reach.
Propulsion for the Ghost 7 comes from two inboard FNM 350 horsepower diesel marine engines, supported by a generator, fuel tank, and a stabilizing gyro system to maintain platform control during engagements. The vessel can be controlled via radio, GPS, or Starlink satellite link, the latter providing extended operational range. The company showcased its broader ambitions near the Ghost 7 with a three-meter-long unmanned jet ski, a concept similar to those seen in conflict zones, highlighting its focus on versatile, small unmanned platforms.
Performance Marine is not starting from scratch. During the last DIMDEX, the firm displayed the 12-meter Suhail USV, developed in cooperation with U.S.-based L3Harris. Furthermore, Kriner revealed the company has already delivered a 13-meter USV prototype to the Qatari firm Barzan. With its own serial production facility boasting a line capable of building 10 USVs in one year, Performance Marine is positioning itself as a scalable manufacturer. Future plans include developing even larger USVs measuring 15, 16, and 24 meters in length.
The debut of the Ghost 7 reflects a clear and growing regional focus on unmanned naval systems, a trend evident across the DIMDEX 2026 show floor with exhibits from other firms like Barzan and Turkey’s Ulaq. For Performance Marine, the path is set: validate the Ghost 7 at sea this year, secure a domestic Qatari customer, and then leverage its modular, combat-ready design to become a new player in the burgeoning GCC defense market.