STM tests AI swarm drones with live ammunition in Turkey
STM, a Turkish defence company, successfully conducted a live-fire test of its KARGU swarm drones in Ankara. Twenty anti-personnel equipped drones autonomously coordinated to attack three separate targets simultaneously under single-operator control, demonstrating decentralized swarming capabilities.
What happened
STM conducted a live-fire test of 20 KARGU swarm drones at the General Nahit Şenoğul Firing and Exercise Range near Ankara on 27 January 2026. The drones were equipped with anti-personnel warheads and operated under decentralized, distributed control architecture using domestically developed algorithms.
The drones autonomously divided into sub-swarms to engage three separate targets and executed simultaneous attacks under a single operator command. The distributed architecture enabled inter-drone communication, allowing the system to maintain operations even if some units became inoperable.
Reported impact
STM described the test as demonstrating successful autonomous coordination, targeting accuracy, and operational reliability of swarm attack capabilities. Officials stated the capability represents a strategic threshold for future warfare concepts, positioning Turkey as one of a limited number of nations with advanced autonomous systems and swarm coordination capabilities.
Index analysis
The test involved autonomous weapons systems coordinating lethal action on multiple targets with minimal human intervention, raising questions about proportionality, distinction between combatants and civilians, and compliance with principles of human control in weapon systems.
Classification
Sources and evidence
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