Kamikaze drone from STM: Turkish long-range model resembles Iran's Shahed

Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik (STM) has tested a new long-range kamikaze drone. The company is one of the key players in the Turkish defence industry. According to the Turkish press, the aircraft is identical to the Iranian Shahed.

Until now the drone was known only from 3D renderings; STM has now published the first video of a flight test. It was presented together with other new types, including interceptor drones and fixed-wing anti-radiation drones.

Range and missions of the kamikaze drone

According to Turkish journalists, the new model can fly several hundred kilometres. The black detail on the front of the drone suggests an optical sensor for terminal guidance. Other estimates even put the maximum range at around 2,000 kilometres. It is intended to play an important role in strategic missions: destroying stationary targets and air defence systems and cutting supply lines.

The two designs share several features of their operational concept. Compared with the Shahed drone, however, the Turkish model is said to have more advanced technological infrastructure and to strike more precisely.