One of the most innovative products of the Turkish defense industry, the KARGU loitering munition drone developed by STM, continues to attract global attention. Entering the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory in 2018, KARGU has quickly demonstrated its operational effectiveness, leading to exports to more than 10 countries, strengthening the international recognition of Turkish defense technologies.

STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz, speaking at the “4th Global Strategies in Defense and Aerospace Industry Conference” held in Antalya, highlighted that 2024 had been a highly productive year for the company. He emphasized STM’s major achievements in the field of military naval projects, including new shipbuilding agreements for the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Portuguese Navy, underlining Turkey’s growing engineering capabilities on the global stage.

Discussing tactical mini UAV systems, Güleryüz noted that the KARGU system stands out for being portable, rotary-wing, and capable of autonomous strikes. “KARGU exports began to accelerate last year, reaching more than 10 countries. Initial small-scale deliveries have now turned into larger orders,” he said. He also announced that the armor-piercing warhead version of KARGU is currently in the testing phase and will soon be added to the inventory.

Güleryüz added that other STM-developed systems — ALPAGU, TOGAN, and BOYGA — are also attracting strong international interest. “Turkey has become a brand in the defense industry. Under the leadership of the Defense Industry Agency, our global recognition and credibility are increasing every year. We believe 2025 will be even more productive,” he stated.

STM continues to expand its expertise not only in aerial systems but also in unmanned surface vessels, submarines, and electronic warfare technologies. These systems, developed entirely with Turkish engineering, are enhancing national defense capabilities while contributing significantly to the country’s export revenues and strategic influence worldwide.