STM strengthens defense ties with Malaysia through naval and UAV agreements

May 27, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Turkiye’s defense company STM has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in Malaysia covering naval projects and tactical mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.

STM has entered into two new international collaborations at the 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) in Malaysia. The company signed an MoU with Lumut Naval Shipyard SDN BHD (LUNAS), one of Malaysia’s long-established shipyards, to collaborate on naval projects.

STM also signed a separate MoU with Malaysia’s defense aviation company, G7 Aerospace, to explore joint production of tactical mini UAV systems in Malaysia.

“The MoU signed with Lumut Naval Shipyard is not only a milestone in defence industry cooperation between Türkiye and Malaysia, but also a strategic step towards enhancing regional maritime security,” STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz emphasized.

“Through this cooperation, we aim to realize locally produced, high value-added projects.”

Güleryüz also stated that STM’s mini UAV systems had first entered the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory eight years ago and had since played an active role in various operations.

He noted that products such as KARGU, TOGAN, and BOYGA had demonstrated their effectiveness in real combat situations, especially in counter-terrorism, cross-border, and special operations.

He mentioned that these UAV systems were now being exported to over 10 countries across three continents.

According to him, the goodwill agreement marked a significant step in STM’s global expansion as a UAV systems developer and elevated the defence and security cooperation between Malaysia and Türkiye.

At LIMA, STM unveiled a new design of its multi-role support ship (MRSS). The MRSS is an amphibious assault vessel designed for expeditionary warfare, capable of transporting RDF battalions, equipment, and vehicles. It also provides logistical support to naval platforms at sea under challenging conditions, both in peace and wartime.