Türkiye’s STM KARGU Kamikaze Drone with Armour-Piercing Warhead Secures Second Export Contract
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On June 20, 2025, STM Türkiye’s KARGU rotary-wing loitering munition with an armour-piercing warhead secured its second international export contract, confirming the growing interest in this tactical drone within the loitering munitions category. Originally designed for anti-personnel operations, KARGU’s evolution with a new payload showcases a broader operational potential. The news underscores Türkiye’s rising profile in UAV exports, as reported by STM. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
With its second export contract for the armour-piercing KARGU, STM confirms not only the system’s battlefield relevance but also Türkiye’s rising influence in the global tactical UAV market (Picture Source: STM)
KARGU is a man-portable, rotary-wing loitering munition developed by STM to offer direct-strike capabilities against fixed and mobile targets. Weighing just 7 kilograms, the UAV is deployable in under one minute by a single operator and boasts a flight endurance exceeding 30 minutes, with a maximum range of 10 kilometres. Equipped with EO/IR imaging, AI-based target recognition, and the capacity to function in swarms under the KERKES project, KARGU’s armour-piercing version adds a critical edge against light armoured vehicles and fortified positions. The system’s low radar signature, quiet approach, and precise warhead delivery reinforce its role in asymmetric and conventional operations.
The development of the KARGU began in the mid-2010s, with operational deployment in the Turkish Armed Forces dating back to 2018. Initially fielded for counter-terrorism and cross-border operations, the platform was internationally introduced in 2021. In 2024, STM finalized the integration of an armour-piercing warhead following intensive R&D and field testing. The successful demonstration led to its first international sale. This new contract, signed with another user already operating the anti-personnel version, reflects continued confidence in the system’s modular warhead concept and battlefield adaptability.
Compared to other loitering munitions such as the U.S. AeroVironment Switchblade 600 or Russia’s Lancet drone, KARGU stands out with its modular payload system and rotary-wing mobility, granting it VTOL capacity and superior deployment flexibility. While the Switchblade 600 features a longer range and heavier warhead, KARGU compensates with portability and tactical responsiveness, especially in urban or mountainous environments. Its swarm capabilities, under active development, also position it for broader strategic integration compared to traditional single-drone systems.
Strategically, the evolution and growing export of the KARGU system reflect Türkiye’s ambition to establish itself as a supplier of cost-effective, technologically advanced unmanned solutions for both NATO allies and non-aligned partners. The drone’s dual-use capability, both anti-personnel and armour-piercing, enhances its utility in hybrid warfare contexts, from counter-insurgency to peer-conflict scenarios. KARGU’s success reinforces Türkiye’s indigenous defense innovation and contributes to shifting UAV geopolitics, particularly in regions where cost, availability, and tactical agility outweigh legacy procurement preferences.
While STM has not disclosed the financial value of the latest contract, the broader KARGU program has seen interest from more than ten countries across three continents, indicating robust export momentum. The previous sale of the armour-piercing variant occurred only months ago, and ongoing negotiations with multiple potential clients suggest continued growth. STM’s positioning of KARGU as a scalable, modular solution will likely attract further defense procurement programs seeking affordable loitering munitions with high operational flexibility.
With its second export contract for the armour-piercing KARGU, STM confirms not only the system’s battlefield relevance but also Türkiye’s rising influence in the global tactical UAV market. As modular loitering munitions gain traction worldwide, KARGU offers a blend of combat validation, flexible deployment, and domestic innovation that continues to reshape the contours of drone warfare.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On June 20, 2025, STM Türkiye’s KARGU rotary-wing loitering munition with an armour-piercing warhead secured its second international export contract, confirming the growing interest in this tactical drone within the loitering munitions category. Originally designed for anti-personnel operations, KARGU’s evolution with a new payload showcases a broader operational potential. The news underscores Türkiye’s rising profile in UAV exports, as reported by STM.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
With its second export contract for the armour-piercing KARGU, STM confirms not only the system’s battlefield relevance but also Türkiye’s rising influence in the global tactical UAV market (Picture Source: STM)
KARGU is a man-portable, rotary-wing loitering munition developed by STM to offer direct-strike capabilities against fixed and mobile targets. Weighing just 7 kilograms, the UAV is deployable in under one minute by a single operator and boasts a flight endurance exceeding 30 minutes, with a maximum range of 10 kilometres. Equipped with EO/IR imaging, AI-based target recognition, and the capacity to function in swarms under the KERKES project, KARGU’s armour-piercing version adds a critical edge against light armoured vehicles and fortified positions. The system’s low radar signature, quiet approach, and precise warhead delivery reinforce its role in asymmetric and conventional operations.
The development of the KARGU began in the mid-2010s, with operational deployment in the Turkish Armed Forces dating back to 2018. Initially fielded for counter-terrorism and cross-border operations, the platform was internationally introduced in 2021. In 2024, STM finalized the integration of an armour-piercing warhead following intensive R&D and field testing. The successful demonstration led to its first international sale. This new contract, signed with another user already operating the anti-personnel version, reflects continued confidence in the system’s modular warhead concept and battlefield adaptability.
Compared to other loitering munitions such as the U.S. AeroVironment Switchblade 600 or Russia’s Lancet drone, KARGU stands out with its modular payload system and rotary-wing mobility, granting it VTOL capacity and superior deployment flexibility. While the Switchblade 600 features a longer range and heavier warhead, KARGU compensates with portability and tactical responsiveness, especially in urban or mountainous environments. Its swarm capabilities, under active development, also position it for broader strategic integration compared to traditional single-drone systems.
Strategically, the evolution and growing export of the KARGU system reflect Türkiye’s ambition to establish itself as a supplier of cost-effective, technologically advanced unmanned solutions for both NATO allies and non-aligned partners. The drone’s dual-use capability, both anti-personnel and armour-piercing, enhances its utility in hybrid warfare contexts, from counter-insurgency to peer-conflict scenarios. KARGU’s success reinforces Türkiye’s indigenous defense innovation and contributes to shifting UAV geopolitics, particularly in regions where cost, availability, and tactical agility outweigh legacy procurement preferences.
While STM has not disclosed the financial value of the latest contract, the broader KARGU program has seen interest from more than ten countries across three continents, indicating robust export momentum. The previous sale of the armour-piercing variant occurred only months ago, and ongoing negotiations with multiple potential clients suggest continued growth. STM’s positioning of KARGU as a scalable, modular solution will likely attract further defense procurement programs seeking affordable loitering munitions with high operational flexibility.
With its second export contract for the armour-piercing KARGU, STM confirms not only the system’s battlefield relevance but also Türkiye’s rising influence in the global tactical UAV market. As modular loitering munitions gain traction worldwide, KARGU offers a blend of combat validation, flexible deployment, and domestic innovation that continues to reshape the contours of drone warfare.
