Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 1 hr ago
STM Demonstrates 20-Drone KARGU Swarm at Turkish Military Exercise
At the Ateş Serbest-2026 exercise in Polatlı, Turkey, defense company STM demonstrated several unmanned aircraft systems.
In one scenario, 20 KARGU attack drones flew under one operator’s control after enemy personnel were detected.
The drones communicated with one another, shared target information and split into two groups of 10.
They then attacked designated targets at the same time using anti-personnel warheads.
STM also demonstrated a BOYGA drone dropping an 81 mm munition and used KarguFPV kamikaze drones.
The display followed a similar KARGU swarm attack at Turkey’s EFES-2026 exercise in May.
STM says it will continue developing autonomous defense systems under Turkey’s defense industry program.
STM demonstrated an autonomous swarm of 20 KARGU attack drones at Turkey’s Ateş Serbest-2026 military exercise.
The swarm operated under the control of one operator and split into two groups of 10 to attack designated targets simultaneously.
The drones communicated in real time and coordinated target detection, classification and sharing, according to STM.
STM also demonstrated a BOYGA ammunition-dropping drone and KarguFPV kamikaze drones at the exercise.
STM said it had previously carried out an autonomous 20-drone swarm attack using live ammunition at the EFES-2026 exercise in May.
- Who
- STM demonstrated the drone systems. Senior Turkish military officials, including Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, observed the swarm operation.
- What
- A swarm of 20 KARGU attack drones conducted an autonomous coordinated attack using anti-personnel warheads.
- When
- At the Ateş Serbest-2026 exercise. The article was published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- The General Nahit Şenoğul Firing and Exercise Area in Polatlı, Ankara.
- Why
- The demonstration was part of the exercise, which showcased the Turkish Armed Forces’ firepower. A further purpose is Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
STM said it carried out an autonomous attack with a swarm of 20 KARGU drones using live ammunition at the EFES-2026 exercise.
STM demonstrated a coordinated attack by 20 KARGU drones at the exercise’s Distinguished Observer Day.
- KARGU swarm
- 20 attack drones
- Operator
- One operator controlled the swarm
- Swarm groups
- Two groups of 10 drones
- Exercise location
- General Nahit Şenoğul Firing and Exercise Area, Polatlı, Ankara
- Other systems demonstrated
- BOYGA and KarguFPV drones
What people are saying
The high performance demonstrated in the field by our national technologies, the work of Turkish engineering, is a great source of pride for us.
At Ateş Serbest-2026, we once again demonstrated this advanced autonomous swarm capability in the field with live ammunition fire.