Turkish firm Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik (STM) has entered the global race for long-range strike drones with its newest KUZGUN loitering munition.
The system blends a sleek, aerodynamically optimized airframe with a strike range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), supporting extended endurance and stable flight profiles.
It also boasts a cruise speed of 180 kilometers (112 miles) per hour, an operational ceiling of 3,500 meters (11,483 feet), and a maximum takeoff weight of 200 kilograms (441 pounds).
KUZGUN is capable of carrying a 40-kilogram (88-pound) high-explosive fragmentation warhead and operating fully autonomously along preplanned routes and target data.
Endurance is listed at up to six hours, with the system designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -20 degrees to 55 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit to 131 degrees Fahrenheit).
For deployment, the loitering munition can be launched via rocket-assisted takeoff from mobile ground platforms or fixed launch systems, removing the need for a runway.
Meeting Demand
The system made its debut at the SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul.
Following the completion of its design phase, KUZGUN has also completed its maiden flight, with the company releasing test footage for the first time.
STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz said global and regional conflicts have highlighted the importance of long-range, cost-effective strike capabilities on the battlefield.
“At STM, we aim to elevate our nation’s strategic deterrence to the next level with our long-range loitering munition system, KUZGUN, developed specifically to meet this need,” he added.
