Turkiye Just Revealed A Kamikaze Drone That Can Fly Over 1,000km

STM unveils Kuzgun within the SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair at Istanbul Expo Center in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 5, 2026. (AA Photo)

Turkish defense company STM has officially unveiled a new long-range kamikaze drone called Kuzgun during the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul. The unmanned aerial vehicle is designed for deep-strike missions and is being positioned as a cost-effective system capable of targeting critical military infrastructure over long distances.

STM says the drone has a range exceeding 1,000 kilometres and can operate autonomously against targets such as command centers, radar systems, and air defense units. The company also stated that Kuzgun was developed in response to growing demand for long-range strike systems seen in recent regional conflicts. Details of the unveiling and specifications were shared during the defense exhibition in Istanbul, as reported by Türkiye Today.

According to STM General Manager Ozgur Guleryuz, the drone is built to operate in difficult electronic warfare environments. Kuzgun uses a navigation system designed to resist GNSS jamming and can fly at low altitude to reduce detection risk. The platform is also designed with a low radar signature, which the company says improves survivability when approaching defended targets.

One of the system’s notable features is its launch flexibility. Kuzgun does not require a runway and can instead be launched using rocket-assisted takeoff from mobile launch platforms or fixed launchers. This allows the drone to be deployed in a wider range of environments and potentially closer to operational zones.

STM says the drone performs fully autonomous flights using predefined routes and targeting information. The UAV reaches its objective using GNSS-assisted precision strike capabilities and is designed to continue operating even in contested navigation environments.

The company listed several technical specifications during the event. Kuzgun reportedly has a flight endurance of six hours, a takeoff weight of 200 kilograms, and an operational altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level. STM also released footage of the drone’s maiden test flight during the exhibition.

The development of Kuzgun follows STM’s earlier work on the Kargu loitering munition, which entered service in 2018. Guleryuz described Kuzgun as a continuation of that development path, with greater range and strike capability aimed at modern battlefield requirements.

Turkey has steadily expanded its domestic defense industry over the past decade, particularly in drone technology. Turkish-made UAVs have gained international attention through deployments in several regional conflicts and growing export demand from allied countries.

With Kuzgun, STM appears to be targeting the increasingly competitive market for long-range autonomous strike systems, where endurance, lower operational costs, and electronic warfare resistance are becoming major priorities for military planners.