Press ReleasesSTM Showcases Cutting-Edge Defense Solutions at LAAD and UDT
STM, one of the leading companies in the Turkish defence industry, will exhibit its naval platforms and tactical mini UAV systems at major international defense exhibitions in Brazil (LAAD) and Norway (UDT).
Having played an important role in Türkiye’s recent breakthrough in the defense industry, STM offers critical solutions in such areas as naval platforms, tactical mini UAV systems and command and control. STM, a subsidiary of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), brings its experience, which has been gained through the company’s efforts to meet Türkiye’s needs, to friendly and allied nations through cooperation and technology transfer.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle “STM NETA” to Debut in Europe
Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) 2025 will be held in Oslo, Norway, from March 25–27. As Europe's leading event in the field of submarine defense technologies, UDT will host STM’s latest solutions in underwater and naval defense security.
Having played a key role in the Turkish Navy’s submarine modernization and construction projects, STM will showcase Türkiye’s first indigenous special operations and attack submarine design, STM500, and the Unmanned Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (UUV) "STM NETA" at UDT 2025. STM will also present TCG İSTANBUL (F-515), Türkiye’s first national frigate and the first vessel of the MİLGEM İstif-Class project, for which STM served as the main contractor alongside, Türkiye’s national Ada-Class Corvette, Logistic Support Ship, and STM MPAC - Multi Purpose Attack Craft.
Combat Proven Tactical Mini UAV Systems
Latin America’s largest defense and security exhibition, LAAD Defence & Security 2025, will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from April 1–4, 2025. STM, which has played a pioneering role in Türkiye and the world in the development tactical mini UAVs, will be presenting its KARGU platform at the event, as Türkiye's first national attack UAV. Since its launch, KARGU, which can be equipped with anti-personnel and armour-piercing warheads, has to date been exported to more than 10 countries on three continents. STM will also be displaying its TOGAN Surveillance UAV, which has now entered the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces and is being actively used in the fight against terrorism, as well as achieving remarkable export figures, and its BOYGA ammunition-drop UAV, at LAAD-2025.
In the field of naval defense, STM will exhibit the İstif-Class Frigate, Ada-Class Corvette, STM MPAC, STM CG-3100 Coast Guard Ship, STM500 Submarine, and STM NETA at the event.
Güleryüz: We Aim to Increase Our Exports in Europe and South America
Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, stated that under the leadership of the SSB, Türkiye has become an international player, noting the following:
“With our national platforms and engineering capabilities developed for our armed forces, we are making significant contributions to enhancing the defense capacities of friendly and brotherly countries. As Türkiye's engineering power at sea, we are a reliable partner for the world’s navies. Following the warship projects we carried out for Pakistan and Ukraine, we have now begun constructing 3 corvettes for the Malaysian Navy. With the Auxiliary Oiler Replenisher and Logistics Ships we will build for the Portuguese Navy, we have achieved Türkiye's first naval export to an EU and NATO member country. On the other hand, we have added our combat-proven tactical mini UAV systems to the inventories of over 10 countries across 3 different continents. Within NATO, we continue to maintain our presence with our command-and-control and software technologies. Our flexible 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 exhibitions, we also aim to increase our exports and collaborations in Europe and South America.”
STM – UDT-2025 Booth Information:
Booth No: F31
Date: 25-27 March 2025
Place: Norway | Oslo | NOVA Spektrum
STM – LAAD- 2025 Booth Information:
Booth No: Hall 4 / Booth P61
Date: 1-4 April 2025
Place: Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | Riocentro
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Production Aligned with NATO Standards
STM is engaged in collaborations, technology transfer and business development activities in more than 30 countries, from South America to the Far East. As part of its design, construction and modernization activities, STM develops flexible indigenous engineering solutions for the surface and submarine platforms of Türkiye – a NATO member with one of the most active navies in the world – and for the navies of friendly and allied nations, addressing specific needs and ensuring more effective mission performance. The systems successfully used in the field by the Turkish Navy are being 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 offering its products and capabilities to navies of other nations in a way that embargoes cannot affect them.
STM, the Choice of the Navies of Many Nations, From Ukraine to Portugal
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 defense capabilities of nations. 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 craft, and submarines. As a reliable partner in naval projects, STM is currently constructing two corvettes for Ukraine and three corvettes for Malaysia, while successfully executing a fleet tanker and Agosta 90B Class submarine modernization project for Pakistan.
Most recently, STM signed an agreement to build two Logistic Support Ships for the Portuguese Navy. This project marks Türkiye’s first naval export to a NATO and European Union member country. With their modular design, the ships will be capable of delivering logistical support, transferring fuel and cargo at sea, and enabling joint power transfer. Additionally, they will support amphibious operations with their capacity to carry armored vehicles.
Pioneering Submarine Projects
STM is also undertaking important tasks in the submarine modernization and construction projects of the Turkish Navy. Having successfully modernized two Ay-Class Submarines (Type-209/1200) in the role of main contractor, STM is now involved in the modernization of eight Turkish Navy Preveze-Class and Gür Class Submarines (Type-209/1400) as the lead contractor. STM is also playing a critical role in the Turkish Navy New Type Submarine Project (Reis Class/Type-214) featuring an Air Independent Propulsion System, taking a significant step in the realization of the Turkish National Submarine Project. The company has achieved historic success in the project with the first-time local production of the head section (section 50) that houses the torpedo tubes, adding Türkiye to the short list of countries in the world with such a capability. STM’s small-tonnage submarine named STM500, which was developed with the company’s own resources, also attracts great interest from different parts of the world.
STM NETA: Autonomous Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
STM, unveils its Autonomous Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (AUUV) “STM NETA”, developed with indigenous and national capabilities, for the first time at the SAHA EXPO fair. STM NETA, developed by STM with its own resources, primary mission will be the detection of mines.
Cost-Effective Tactical UAV Solutions for Modern Warfare
STM's tactical mini UAV systems are actively used by the Turkish Armed Forces in cross-border and counter-terrorism operations. These systems are the choice of more than 10 militaries across three continents, providing cost-effective solutions on the battlefield. Its portfolio also includes software developed for NATO's intelligence infrastructure, as well as responsibilities for the platform cyber security of KAAN, Türkiye's 5th generation fighter jet.
About STM
STM has been serving the Turkish defence sector for the last 33 years in such areas as engineering, technology development and consultancy services, operating in fields that are critical for Türkiye and its allies. It applies its advanced capabilities and technologies to a broad range of strategic fields, ranging from naval platforms to tactical mini UAV systems, from command and control systems to cybersecurity, and from big data analytics to artificial intelligence applications.
