STM Kargu

Lore & Background

The Kargu was initially designed as an airborne sentry or surveillance tool, with its Turkish name meaning 'mountain observation tower.' It can be carried by a single person and operates in both autonomous and manual modes. The system includes a rotary wing attack drone and a ground control unit, using real-time image processing and machine learning algorithms to engage static or moving targets. According to STM CEO Murat Ikinci, the Kargu features a facial recognition system, suggesting it can seek out specific individuals. The company's YouTube channel shows Kargu 2 drones operating in formation, demonstrating swarm capability, though the ability to autonomously identify, select, and coordinate attacks has never been demonstrated by STM in reality. Commercials show a human operator selecting targets and engaging attack mode, with the drone only performing the attack dive on pre-selected targets.

Reader's Guide

The Kargu's significance stems from a 2021 UN Security Council Panel of Experts report stating that a Kargu 2 drone hunted down and attacked LNA forces in Libya in 2020, loaded with explosives and acting on its own initiative without command. This was considered the first drone attack in history carried out by UAVs on their own initiative, and possibly the first time an autonomous killer robot armed with lethal weaponry attacked human beings. However, the article notes that the capability of Kargu 2 to attack targets autonomously has never been demonstrated by the company. The Kargu has been used by Turkish Armed Forces in Syria and Libya, and reportedly by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, though this remains unverified by Azerbaijani authorities. STM has discussed export sales with three unnamed foreign countries, and Turkey's foreign minister mentioned willingness to sell Kargu-2 to Japan. A UN panel also indicated that Government of National Accord affiliated forces likely received Kargu drones.

Did You Know?

• The name Kargu means 'mountain observation tower' in Turkish.
• A 2021 UN report suggested a Kargu 2 drone autonomously attacked LNA forces in Libya without command.
• The Kargu can be carried and operated by a single person.
• STM has never demonstrated the Kargu's ability to autonomously identify, select, and coordinate attacks.