2026
20 KARGU Loitering Munitions Execute a Coordinated Swarm Attack
During the Distinguished Observer Day of the ATEŞ SERBEST-2026 Exercise, held at the General Nahit
Şenoğul Firing and Exercise Area in Polatlı, Ankara, STM once again demonstrated its advanced swarm
intelligence capabilities powered by fully indigenous algorithms.
As part of the exercise scenario, simulated enemy infantry units were detected, prompting the
deployment of a swarm of 20 KARGU loitering munitions. Under the control of a single operator, the
KARGU swarm took off autonomously and navigated to the designated target area. Powered by a
distributed control architecture, the UAVs communicated with one another in real time, coordinating
target detection, classification and sharing.
Upon reaching the target area, the KARGU swarm split into two groups of 10 units each and executed
a synchronized attack, successfully destroying the designated targets with precision using their anti-
personnel warheads.
BOYGA Delivers a Precision Strike with 81 mm Munition
STM’s indigenously developed BOYGA Ammunition Drop UAV also demonstrated its precision-strike
capabilities during the ATEŞ SERBEST-2026 Exercise. In service with the Turkish Armed Forces since
2022, BOYGA successfully engaged its designated target by deploying an 81 mm UAV munition,
achieving a direct hit. STM’s FPV solution, KARGU FPV Kamikaze UAVs, also took part in the exercise.
Güleryüz: We Will Continue to Deliver Game-Changing Technologies
STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz emphasized that the capabilities demonstrated at ATEŞ
SERBEST-2026 reflect the advanced level of Türkiye’s defence industry in autonomous systems and
swarm intelligence technologies:
“The performance of our advanced technologies under realistic operational conditions is a great
source of pride for STM. Through our expertise in autonomous systems and swarm intelligence, we
are developing innovative solutions that address not only today’s operational requirements but also
the evolving demands of future warfare.
At EFES-2026, we achieved a historic milestone in global defence technology with a swarm of 20
KARGU loitering munitions. Today, at ATEŞ SERBEST-2026, we have once again demonstrated the
operational effectiveness of this advanced autonomous swarm capability through successful live-fire
engagements.
Combat-proven through years of critical operations and military exercises with the Turkish Armed
Forces, KARGU has also earned international recognition, with exports to 15 countries across four
continents. Developing such sophisticated technologies, mastered by only a limited number of
countries worldwide, represents a significant engineering achievement. More importantly, these
capabilities enhance the operational effectiveness and combat readiness of armed forces in
increasingly complex battlefield environments.
Under the leadership of the SSB, we will continue to advance our engineering capabilities, develop
game-changing autonomous systems, and deliver innovative defence technologies that shape the
future of warfare.”
KARGU: The Choice of Global Armies
KARGU, a rotary-wing loitering munition system developed by STM, is also commonly referred to as a
“kamikaze UAV.” Having entered the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces in 2018, KARGU has been
used effectively in counter-terrorism, special operations and cross-border missions by various security
forces. Proven across diverse geographical and operational conditions, KARGU has been exported to
15 countries across four continents.
Depending on operational requirements, users can rapidly replace the anti-personnel warhead with an
armour-piercing warhead in the field. With its low radar cross-section, KARGU is difficult to detect in
hostile environments and can be easily carried by a single soldier and deployed within one minute in
the operational area. Equipped with artificial intelligence and advanced image-processing capabilities,
quiet operation and high-precision strike performance, KARGU provides a significant surprise effect
and operational advantage. KARGU can operate effectively day and night thanks to its advanced
electro-optical and infrared cameras. It has an endurance of more than 30 minutes and an operational
range of 10 kilometres. The system is capable of swarm operations and, through STM-developed
software, can perform missions independently of GNSS and remain resilient in electronic warfare
environments.
By integrating an RF seeker into KARGU, STM has enhanced its capability to detect and target enemy
radars and other radio-frequency-emitting systems. The integration of the JINN Electronic Warfare
Pod further enables KARGU to jam enemy radars, suppress air defence systems and establish safe
operational corridors for friendly forces.
BOYGA: Precision Strike Capabilities with an 81 mm Ammunition
BOYGA, a member of STM’s tactical UAV family, is an Ammunition Drop UAV capable of delivering
specially adapted 81 mm UAV ammunition with high precision, supported by advanced ballistic
estimation algorithms. Designed for effective deployment in counter-terrorism operations and
asymmetric warfare environments, BOYGA offers an endurance of 30 minutes while carrying its UAV
ammunition. With an operational altitude of up to 3,000 metres and a range of 10 kilometres, BOYGA
weighs just 17 kg and can be carried by a single soldier. Its ammunition system was integrated in
cooperation with MKE. In service with Turkish security forces since 2022, BOYGA has demonstrated its
operational effectiveness in the field and achieved its first export success in 2024.