Turkish STM announces first export of BOYGA combat drone to African market

STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş., a well-known figure in the Türkiye defense industry, announced the first export of BOYGA, its autonomous multi-rotor combat drone on July 9, Report informs via Defense News.

This development marks an important step for Türkiye's national defense industry. The contract for this export, destined for an undisclosed African country, is scheduled for completion in 2024.

BOYGA, the autonomous multi-rotor combat drone developed by Turkish company STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş., has been exported for the first time, marking a major turning point for the national defense industry of Türkiye. This first international sale involves an unspecified African country, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2024.

Since being incorporated into the Türkiye armed forces in 2022, BOYGA has been actively used in various operations, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts and international exercises. It notably distinguished itself during the EFES-2024 exercise by hitting targets with remarkable precision.

Ozgur Guleryuz, General Manager of STM, emphasized the importance of this advancement for both the company and the Türkiye military: "Each member of our mini UAV family has been developed to meet the specific challenges of modern combat fields, and all have now successfully expanded into international markets."

Designed to operate at altitudes up to 3,000 meters, BOYGA can deploy 81 mm mortar ammunition with extreme precision thanks to a sophisticated ballistic estimation algorithm. This capability makes it particularly effective in counter-terrorism and asymmetric warfare contexts. The system is so compact that it can be transported and operated by a single individual, enhancing its flexibility in the field.

In recent years, Türkiye has established itself as an increasingly influential player in the global defense industry, with a significant presence in the African market. The expansion of its arms exports to Africa is part of a broader strategy to diversify its partnerships and strengthen its diplomatic and economic relations with African nations.