“Exploring the Future: STM Showcases Innovations in Maritime and Drone Tech at LAAD Brazil and UDT Norway”

STM, a distinguished player in the Turkish defense industry, is poised to unveil its naval platforms and tactical mini UAV systems at major international defense events in Brazil (LAAD) and Norway (UDT).

Having played a crucial role in Türkiye’s recent leaps in the defense sector, STM offers vital solutions in areas including naval platforms, tactical mini UAV systems, and command-and-control systems. As a branch of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), STM capitalizes on its experience, gained through the company’s efforts to meet Türkiye’s needs, to support friendly and allied nations through collaborative partnerships and technology transfer.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle “STM NETA” Set to Debut in Europe

Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) 2025 is scheduled to unfold in Oslo, Norway, from March 25–27. As Europe’s leading event concentrating on submarine defense innovations, UDT will feature STM’s latest advancements in underwater and maritime defense security.

Having been instrumental to the Turkish Navy’s submarine modernization and construction programs, STM will showcase Türkiye’s first indigenous special operations and assault submarine design, STM500, along with the Unmanned Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (UUV) “STM NETA” at UDT 2025. STM will also unveil TCG İSTANBUL (F-515), Türkiye’s first homegrown frigate and the inaugural vessel of the MİLGEM İstif-Class initiative, for which STM served as the primary contractor, in addition to Türkiye’s native Ada-Class Corvette, Logistic Support Ship, and STM MPAC – Multi Purpose Attack Craft.

Proven Tactical Mini UAV Systems

As Latin America’s largest defense and security showcase, LAAD Defence & Security 2025, is set for April 1–4, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. STM, which has pioneered advancements in tactical mini UAVs both in Türkiye and globally, will present its KARGU platform at the event, celebrated as Türkiye’s first national attack UAV. Since its inception, KARGU, capable of deploying anti-personnel and armor-piercing munitions, has been dispatched to over 10 countries across three continents. STM will further highlight its TOGAN Surveillance UAV, which has recently been incorporated into the Turkish Armed Forces and is actively used in counter-terrorism operations, achieving impressive export numbers, alongside its BOYGA ammunition-drop UAV at LAAD-2025.

Within the maritime defense sphere, STM will exhibit the İstif-Class Frigate, Ada-Class Corvette, STM MPAC, STM CG-3100 Coast Guard Ship, STM500 Submarine, and STM NETA during the event.

Güleryüz: Our Goal is to Amplify Exports in Europe and South America

Özgür Güleryüz, Chief Executive Officer of STM, highlighted that under SSB’s stewardship, Türkiye has emerged as a global entity, emphasizing the following:

“With our national platforms and engineering expertise tailored for our armed forces, we are making significant strides in enhancing the defense capacities of friendly and allied nations. As Türkiye’s engineering stronghold at sea, we are a dependable partner for the navies worldwide. Following the naval projects we successfully executed for Pakistan and Ukraine, we have now embarked on constructing three corvettes for the Malaysian Navy. Our Auxiliary Oiler Replenishers and Logistics Ships for the Portuguese Navy mark Türkiye’s first naval export to an EU and NATO member country. Furthermore, our battlefield-ready tactical mini UAV systems have been incorporated into the arsenals of over 10 nations spanning three continents. Within NATO, we continue to maintain our leadership with our command-and-control and software technologies. Our versatile engineering solutions, compliant with NATO standards, are attracting interest from the Asia-Pacific to Europe, and from Africa to the Gulf Region. Through the LAAD and UDT events, we aspire to enhance our export portfolios and partnerships in Europe and South America.”

STM – UDT-2025 Booth Information:

Booth No: F31

Date: March 25-27, 2025

Location: Norway | Oslo | NOVA Spektrum

STM – LAAD-2025 Booth Information:

Booth No: Hall 4 / Booth P61

Date: April 1-4, 2025

Location: Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | Riocentro

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Production Aligned with NATO Standards

STM is actively engaged in alliances, technology sharing, and business growth in over 30 countries, extending from South America to the Far East. As part of its design, construction, and modernization initiatives, STM creates adaptable indigenous engineering solutions for the surface and submarine fleets of Türkiye – a NATO ally with one of the most active naval forces worldwide – and for the navies of friendly and allied countries, meeting specific needs and ensuring heightened operational efficiency. The systems effectively utilized by the Turkish Navy are being exported abroad by STM as leading, cost-effective, and modern engineering solutions. STM, with its extensive service support and domestic weapon systems, distinguishes itself by offering its products and capabilities to other nations’ navies in a manner that embargoes cannot undermine.

STM: The Preferred Choice for Navies Across the Globe, From Ukraine to Portugal

STM prioritizes cost-effectiveness, uninterrupted technical support, and knowledge sharing in every project, promoting collaborations that strengthen nations’ defense capabilities. STM provides services to the Turkish Navy in the design, construction, and modernization of naval platforms, including the Ada-Class Corvette, İstif-Class Frigate, Logistic Support Ships, fast attack vessels, and submarines. As a trustworthy partner in naval projects, STM is currently constructing two corvettes for Ukraine and three for Malaysia, alongside executing a fleet replenishment tanker and the modernization project for the Agosta 90B Class submarine for Pakistan.

Recently, STM finalized an agreement to construct two Logistic Support Ships for the Portuguese Navy. This initiative represents Türkiye’s first naval export to a NATO and European Union member state. With a modular design, these vessels will provide logistical support, transfer fuel and cargo at sea, and facilitate collaborative operational capabilities. Additionally, they will support amphibious missions with their ability to transport armored vehicles.

Innovative Submarine Initiatives

STM is also assuming critical roles in the modernization and construction of submarines for the Turkish Navy. After successfully modernizing two Ay-Class Submarines (Type-209/1200) as the main contractor, STM is presently involved in upgrading eight Turkish Navy Preveze-Class and Gür Class Submarines (Type-209/1400) as the lead contractor. Moreover, STM is making substantial contributions to the Turkish Navy New Type Submarine Project (Reis Class/Type-214), featuring an Air Independent Propulsion System, marking significant progress toward realizing the Turkish National Submarine Project. The company has reached a historic milestone with the localized production of the head section (section 50) that houses the torpedo tubes, placing Türkiye among a select group of nations globally with such capabilities. STM’s small-tonnage submarine, STM500, developed through the company’s resources, is also receiving considerable attention from various global regions.

STM NETA: Autonomous Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

STM proudly unveils its Autonomous Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (AUUV) “STM NETA,” developed using domestic resources, for the first time at the SAHA EXPO fair. The primary mission of the STM NETA will be mine detection.

Cost-Effective Tactical UAV Solutions for Modern Warfare

STM’s tactical mini UAV systems are currently employed by the Turkish Armed Forces in cross-border and counter-terrorism operations. These systems are favored by more than 10 military forces across three continents, offering budget-friendly solutions on the battlefield. Its portfolio also includes software designed for NATO’s intelligence framework, as well as responsibilities for platform cybersecurity of KAAN, Türkiye’s cutting-edge 5th generation fighter jet.