Kargu-2

Kargu-2 overview

The Kargu-2 is a rotary-wing autonomous attack drone developed by the Turkish company STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik). Designed as a quadcopter-based loitering munition, the Kargu-2 weighs approximately 7 kg and can operate autonomously using machine learning-based targeting to identify and engage targets. It carries a fragmentation or thermobaric warhead and can operate individually or in coordinated swarms of up to 20 units.

The Kargu-2 gained significant international attention in 2021 when a United Nations Panel of Experts report suggested it may have autonomously engaged fighters in Libya without specific human authorization, potentially marking the first use of a lethal autonomous weapon in combat. This claim has been debated, but it sparked renewed global discussion about autonomous weapons regulation. As of 2025, STM continues to market and develop the Kargu-2, with several international customers. Its significance extends beyond its military capability, as it has become a focal point in the global debate about lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) and the need for international regulation of AI-driven military technology.

Armament

Fragmentation/thermobaric warhead (integral)

Development and operational timeline

1. Apr 2019STM unveils Kargu-2 autonomous attack drone
2. Mar 2020Kargu-2 reportedly used in Libyan civil war
3. May 2021UN report suggests possible autonomous engagement in Libya
4. Nov 2022STM delivers Kargu-2 to Turkish Armed Forces and export customers
5. Jul 2024Kargu-2 upgraded with improved AI targeting and swarm capability