Bagota, Colombia. 27 November 2021. STM supplies NATO’s second largest army, the Turkish Armed Forces, as well as the navies of friendly and allied nations with state-of-the-art warships. Its military naval platforms and tactical mini-UAV systems will be on display at the Expodefensa 2021 fair to be held in Colombia.
As a significant actor in the recent groundbreaking efforts of the Turkish defence sector, STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. offers critical solutions particularly to the Turkish naval platforms, and in the fields of tactical mini UAV systems and cybersecurity. Under the leadership of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), STM continues to export the experience it has accumulated in meeting domestic needs to friendly and allied nations through cooperation and technology transfer.
STM will be present at Expodefensa 2021 – to be held in Bogota, the capital of Colombia – between 29 November and 1 December, where it will introduce its naval projects and tactical mini UAV system product family to South America. At Expodefensa 2021, one of the largest defence industry fairs in Latin America and the Caribbean, STM will be exhibiting models of both the CF3500 Frigate that has been designed for the Colombian Navy based on MiLGEM, and its I-Class Frigate, alongside the STM family of mini UAV systems, including ALPAGU, KARGU and TOGAN.
STM’s corvette and frigate projects attract the attention of South America
The indigenous military naval platforms designed by STM are being closely followed by South American countries. In addition to the Offshore Patrol Ship (OPV), designed for surface defence warfare, effective uninterrupted reconnaissance, surveillance and patrol missions on the high seas and in coastal waters, South American countries are also keeping a close eye on the MiLGEM Ada Class Corvette and I-Class Frigate.
STM plays a critical role in fulfilling Turkish Navy needs
STM is engaged in collaborations, technology transfer and business development activities in more than 20 countries, from South America to the Far East. As part of its design, construction and modernization activities, STM produces Indigenous and flexible engineering solutions for the surface and submarine platforms of the Turkish Navy – one of the most active navies in the world – and those of friendly and allied nations, to address specific needs and ensure more effective mission performance.
The systems used successfully on the field by the Turkish Navy, are exported overseas by STM as quality, affordable and modern engineering solutions. STM, with its long-term service support and indigenously developed weapon systems, makes a difference by rendering its products and capabilities available to national navies even in the presence of embargoes.
STM carries out the project for TCG ISTANBUL, Turkey’s first national frigate
The Turkish Naval Forces are making active use of the four MiLGEM Ada-Class Corvettes under a project in which STM was the main subcontractor and undertook various crucial tasks. STM has designed and is the main contractor of TCG ISTANBUL, Turkey’s first national frigate, and is continuing in its efforts to deliver the ship in 2023 with an indigenisation rate of at least 75 percent.
Pioneering submarine projects
STM also undertakes important tasks in the submarine modernisation and construction projects of the Turkish Navy. STM, having successfully modernised two AY-Class Submarines in its role as the main contractor, has also taken part in the modernisation of four Turkish Navy Preveze-Class Submarines as the lead contractor. Another programme in which STM plays a critical role is the Turkish Navy New Type Submarine Project with an Air Independent Propulsion System (Reis Class). In this context, STM has achieved historic success in the manufacture of the Torpedo Section of the vessel, which houses the torpedo tubes for the first time in Turkey, joining the few countries in the world with such a capability.
STM begins Corvette Construction for the Ukrainian Navy
STM attaches great importance to cost-effectiveness, uninterrupted technical support and knowledge transfer in every project in which it is involved, creating collaborations that will enhance the defence capabilities of nations. Under a project that included technology transfer elements, STM has this year begun the construction of a Corvette for the Ukrainian Navy. STM built and delivered the Pakistan Fleet Tanker PNS MOAWIN in Karachi. Designed for the Pakistan Navy, the ship represents Turkey’s largest military shipbuilding project in terms of tonnage. Continuing its activities in the country as the main contractor in the modernisation project for Pakistan’s Agosta 90B Khalid-Class submarines, STM has gained the trust of the Pakistan Navy with the projects it has delivered successfully to date. Finally, STM is also currently involved in the construction of four Ada-Class Corvettes to be built by Turkey for Pakistan; bringing all its engineering capabilities to the project for the procurement and integration of the main propulsion system.
Tactical Mini UAV Systems
The attack and surveillance UAV systems developed by STM using its own engineering and technological capabilities are being used to full effect by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in the provision of border security, as well as in international operations. A leading and competitive producer both in Turkey and around the world in the field of tactical mini UAV development, STM’s product range consists of Fixed-Wing Autonomous Tactical Attack UAV System ALPAGU, Rotary-Wing Attack UAV System KARGU and Autonomous Multi-Rotor Reconnaissance UAV System TOGAN.
Great interest in KARGU among world armies
KARGU, which has been in TAF’s inventory since 2018, achieved its first export this year (2021). As the exports of KARGU continue, negotiations are under way with various nations who are interested in the product. KARGU, which has proven its capabilities in various battlefields, performs its duties under complete human control under the principle of “Man-in-the-loop”.
ALPAGU on the other hand, stands out with its light structure, its dive speed, its low radar cross-section, its speed and its ability to cause point damage against key targets. ALPAGU can be carried by a single soldier and fired from a launcher, weighing only 1.9 kg. Having passed its firing tests, ALPAGU is set to enter the Turkish Armed Forces inventory in the coming weeks.
