STM KUZGUN: Turkiye’s 1,000+ km Range Kamikaze UAV Enters the Field

STM Defence Technologies has unveiled KUZGUN, a domestically produced long-range kamikaze UAV with a strike range exceeding 1,000 kilometers a landmark in Turkiye’s push for full defense industry independence.

The modern battlefield has been reshaped by loitering munitions. From the Iran-Israel conflict to the war in Ukraine, kamikaze drones have proven their ability to neutralize high-value targets at low cost. STM Defence Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc., long recognized for tactical autonomous systems, is now entering the strategic tier with a weapon built entirely on domestic technology.

The KUZGUN Long-Range Kamikaze UAV System is the company’s most ambitious platform to date. Following the completion of design phases and successful first flights, STM made the official public unveiling with the system set to make its international debut at SAHA-2026.

What KUZGUN is designed to do

Named after a bird species renowned in nature for sharp intelligence and strategic speed, KUZGUN is built for deep-penetration missions against critical enemy assets. The system targets high-priority objectives such as command centers, air defense installations, and radar elements assets that are often located well behind enemy lines and heavily protected.

With a flight range surpassing 1,000 kilometers and a flight duration of over six hours, KUZGUN can loiter and strike at distances previously out of reach for Turkish domestically produced systems. Its high-explosive warhead, combined with precision targeting capability, allows it to engage time-sensitive targets with minimal collateral risk.

No runway required full mobile deployment

One of KUZGUN’s defining operational advantages is its complete runway independence. The system launches via rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) from either mobile ground platforms or fixed launchers, meaning it can be rapidly deployed across diverse terrain from mountainous regions to coastal areas without relying on airfield infrastructure.

This flexibility makes KUZGUN especially relevant for expeditionary or contested environments where conventional airpower is unavailable or impractical. Weighing 200 kg at takeoff and operating at mission altitudes up to 3,500 meters MSL, it combines tactical agility with strategic reach.

Built to survive jamming and GPS denial

Electronic warfare is now a default feature of high-intensity conflict zones. KUZGUN is specifically designed to operate in environments where GNSS jamming is widespread. Its jamming-resistant navigation architecture allows the system to continue flying and homing in on targets even when satellite signals are disrupted or spoofed.

The system supports fully autonomous flight based on pre-programmed route and target data. A GNSS-supported precision coordinate dive mode ensures terminal accuracy when navigation signals are available, while alternative navigation methods maintain performance when they are not. Low-altitude flight capability further reduces the system’s radar signature, enhancing survivability in defended airspace.

STM’s general manager on KUZGUN

Global and regional crises have once again demonstrated the decisive role of long-range and cost-effective strike forces on the battlefield. With KUZGUN, we aim to take our country’s strategic deterrence to a higher level. Equipped with national software, an electronic warfare-resistant navigation system, and low-altitude flight capability, KUZGUN will perform missions with pinpoint accuracy even in the most challenging geographies.

Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager, STM Defence Technologies

The statement underscores STM’s positioning of KUZGUN not as a tactical asset, but as a strategic-level deterrent one capable of reshaping how adversaries calculate the risks of engaging Turkiye or its allies.

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KUZGUN technical specifications at a glance

What KUZGUN means for Turkiye’s defense posture

KUZGUN represents a significant leap in Turkiye’s indigenous strike capability. For years, Turkiye has expanded its tactical UAV portfolio most visibly with systems like Bayraktar TB2. KUZGUN pushes into new strategic territory, bridging the gap between short-range loitering munitions and long-range cruise missiles.

With its combination of range, autonomy, and electronic warfare resistance, KUZGUN positions Turkiye among a small number of countries capable of producing sovereign long-range precision strike systems entirely from domestic resources. Its public debut at SAHA-2026 will be closely watched by both allies and potential export partners.

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