Turkey’s leading defense technology company STM (Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc.) unveiled its next-generation unmanned systems at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025). Two key innovations took center stage at STM’s booth: the STM VTOL, a vertical take-off and landing tactical UAV, and the enhanced KarguFPV kamikaze drone featuring a new armor-piercing warhead.

The STM VTOL system offers long endurance, 10 kg payload capacity, and the advantage of runway-independent operations, making it suitable for both military and civilian missions. The UAV can take off from naval platforms or land-based positions, and is capable of deploying FPV drones, 81 mm munitions, or smart precision payloads. STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz stated, “Our VTOL solution eliminates runway dependency and provides superiority in extended missions. It will serve not only in tactical operations but also in disaster response, search and rescue, and critical logistics tasks. With fully indigenous technologies, we are addressing both today’s and tomorrow’s needs.”

The spotlight also shone on KarguFPV, STM’s evolving loitering munition platform. Previously fielded with an anti-personnel warhead, the system now features a new armor-piercing warhead and a fiber-optic communication link, enabling it to effectively engage armored vehicles and fortified targets. The fiber-optic tether allows the drone to operate securely without relying on GPS or RF signals, ensuring uninterrupted missions even in electronic warfare environments. Both systems have successfully completed field testing.

Güleryüz emphasized that these upgrades make KarguFPV a versatile and adaptive combat system, adding: “With the addition of an armor-piercing payload and fiber-optic communication capability, KarguFPV’s operational flexibility has expanded significantly. STM remains committed to delivering adaptive, local, and resilient solutions tailored to the evolving nature of warfare.”

Through the introduction of the KarguFPV and VTOL UAV, STM demonstrated Turkey’s growing strength in autonomous flight, mission adaptability, and electronic warfare resilience. These platforms not only boost the Turkish Armed Forces’ effectiveness on the battlefield but also enhance STM’s footprint in the global unmanned systems market.