Turkish defense firm STM's drone sold to over 10 countries in 2024

The Turkish defense industry has racked up another success with its Kargu drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by STM Defense based in the Turkish capital Ankara, which was sold to over 10 countries in 2024.

Attending the 4th Defense and Aerospace Industry Global Strategies Conference in the southern Turkish city of Antalya earlier this month, Ozger Guleryuz, the CEO of STM, told Anadolu that 2024 was a successful year for exports.

“STM operates in many different fields, maritime being our main activity area,” he said. “Last year, we signed contracts to build three new corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy and two supply ships and logistics support vessels for the Portuguese Navy.”

Guleryuz said STM provided design engineering support to the Turkish Navy for the country's first national corvette project, called Milgem (National Ship Project), and the firm is also developing two corvettes for Ukraine.

He highlighted that the rotary wing loitering munition system Kargu has been in the Turkish Army's inventory since 2018.

“Interest in Kargu started to grow last year and we exported to over 10 countries in 2024 –countries that bought Kargu started placing orders in higher quantities,” he said.

“To date the UAV has had an antipersonnel warhead but we recently unveiled our armor-piercing ammunition and its tests are about to be completed to enter the inventory,” he added.

He mentioned that other products from STM, namely the Alpagu, Togan, and Boyga, have also drawn interest.

“Türkiye has become a known brand in the defense industry, with the activities we carry out under the leadership of Türkiye's Defense Industry Secretariat, and we will continue to produce new products with new technology,” he said.

Guleryuz said projects for unmanned naval vehicles, submarines, and drones are continuing, noting STM's expertise in maritime engineering.

“We can make flexible designs in line with the navy's needs, and we're in talks on different projects with countries, so we hope 2025 will be a much better year,” he added.