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Turkish defense firm STM Defense Technologies exported its domestically developed Kargu rotary-wing loitering munition system and Alpagu fixed-wing autonomous tactical attack UAV systems to a NATO and European Union (EU) member country as part of an integrated autonomous systems project.
The export marks STM's first autonomous system exports to the European market; with this contract, STM's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems now reach users on four continents and 15 countries.
Under the contract, Kargu and Alpagu will be integrated into ground vehicles in compliance with local user needs and operational doctrine. STM will conduct software integration for the battle management system, compatible with the country's existing systems and operational concepts.
STM General Manager Ozgur Guleryuz said the tactical UAV family's field success has increased international demand from friendly and allied nations.
"The export of Kargu and Alpagu to a NATO and EU member country is a concrete indicator of the trust our engineering knowledge and systems receive internationally. As of today, we are pleased to have introduced our UAV systems to users in four different continents and 15 countries," he said.
Guleryuz emphasized that the development carries significance beyond being STM's first European autonomous system export.
"Kargu and Alpagu's integration into armored ground vehicles demonstrates our software capabilities. In this respect, our project is not limited to platform export but carries the quality of high-value-added integration and software export. This project encompasses not only system delivery but also joint integration activities compatible with the country's existing platforms and operational doctrines," he noted.
"We expect this collaboration to serve as an important reference for STM's autonomous systems' future operational deployments in European countries and broader-scale use. Following successful project completion, we aim to integrate STM's autonomous product family into more ground vehicles in the relevant country," Guleryuz stated.
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Kargu, also known publicly as a "kamikaze UAV," was developed by STM using domestic capabilities. Entering the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory in 2018, KARGU is actively used by TAF and various Turkish security forces in counterterrorism operations, special operations, and cross-border operations.
Operating personnel can quickly change Kargu's anti-personnel warhead to an armor-piercing warhead based on field conditions. With its low radar cross-section, Kargu is difficult to detect in enemy territory. A single soldier can easily carry Kargu and deploy it in the operational area within 1 minute.
Kargu provides a significant surprise effect and operational advantage through its artificial intelligence and image-processing capabilities, its silence, and its ability to deliver its explosive payload precisely to the target.
Kargu can conduct effective night and day operations with advanced electro-optical and infrared cameras. Kargu can remain airborne for more than 30 minutes and has a 10-kilometer range. Kargu units can operate in swarm formations.
Kargu can perform missions independent of GNSS and unaffected by electronic warfare (EW) environments using STM-developed software.
Alpagu stands out for its light structure, high dive speed, low radar cross-section, and ability to deliver precision strikes against important targets. Capable of active duty in counterterrorism operations, cross-border operations, and urban conflict, Alpagu has an 8-kilometer range.
Alpagu can conduct effective night and day operations with electro-optical and infrared cameras. Launched from a launcher, Alpagu flies for approximately 15 minutes and successfully tracks targets using artificial intelligence-enabled, advanced image-processing software.
With a low radar cross-section and small size, Alpagu remains undetected by targets until the final moment and destroys targets with precision accuracy using its munitions.
Easy to carry and deploy by a single personnel within one minute, Alpagu provides significant force multiplication and operational advantage through its artificial intelligence and image processing capabilities, silence and ability to deliver explosives precisely.
Beyond superior capabilities, Alpagu distinguishes itself from competitors through its integration with different platforms, including ground, maritime, and aerial vehicles.
Weighing under 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds), only two platforms worldwide are comparable to Alpagu. Both Kargu and Alpagu conduct target detection and destruction under the "Man-in-the-Loop" principle with complete operator control.
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