The New "TUNGA-X" Interceptor UAV Debuts at SAHA 2026

STM, a leading developer of advanced technologies in the Turkish defence sector, has unveiled its new "drone hunter," the TUNGA-X, for the first time at SAHA 2026. Designed to operate in full integration with UAV detection radars to neutralize hostile UAS assets mid-air, TUNGA-X stands out with its high speed and advanced autonomous mission capabilities.

STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş., a pioneer in developing indigenous and innovative systems for the Turkish defense industry, has added a new breakthrough to its portfolio of autonomous solutions. Specifically developed to counter the rising threat posed by low-cost kamikaze UAVs in asymmetric warfare environments, the TUNGA-X Interceptor UAV was showcased for the first time at the SAHA 2026 exhibition.

Güleryüz: We are Creating a Cost-Effective Shield Against Asymmetric Threats

Highlighting the transformative impact of unmanned aerial vehicles on the modern battlefield, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz stated:

"Today, the threat posed by low-cost yet high-impact fixed-wing loitering munitions against critical infrastructure has necessitated a new chapter in our defense strategies. Intercepting such threats with significantly more expensive air defense missiles does not offer a sustainable cost-management model. This is precisely where TUNGA-X comes into play. Capable of reaching high speeds of approximately 300 km/h, operating in conjunction with radar, and neutralizing targets mid-air, this interceptor drone system provides users with both technological and cost-effective advantages against asymmetric threats. At STM, we are proud to transition our deep-rooted expertise in autonomous systems into the counter-UAS domain."

Strategic Defense Without the High Cost of Missiles

The TUNGA-X Interceptor Drone features a multi-rotor architecture that allows for vertical take-off (VTOL) from confined spaces or mobile platforms. Infused with STM’s world-class expertise in AI and autonomy, TUNGA-X supports both manual and autonomous flight modes, distinguished by its image-processing-based autonomous target tracking. Once a threat is detected by a radar from a range of 10 km, the data is instantly relayed to TUNGA-X.

The system rapidly deploys to the estimated approach corridor, verifies the target via its day/night EO/IR camera, and neutralizes it mid-air using a proximity-fuzed detonation mechanism. Thanks to its rotary-wing design, the system features a mission-cancel option, allowing for a safe return-to-home. Suitable for deployment in both urban and rural environments, Türkiye’s "hunter drone" boasts a modular architecture that enables integration into various carrier platforms.