RMAF Chief Inspects ANKA-S UAV Programme in Türkiye as ÿմ Prepares for Major ISR Upgrade
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) –The Royal ÿմn Air Force chief (RMAF), General Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris, undertook a high-profile Official Working Visit to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to evaluate the latest progress of ÿմ’s ANKA Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) acquisition programme, which has now reached its final integration stage before scheduled delivery at the end of this year.
This working visit underscores the RMAF’s intention to personally authenticate the platform’s readiness and ensure that ÿմ’s first Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV fleet meets operational requirements for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and strategic deterrence.
TAI engineers, programme leads, and senior officials provided the RMAF delegation with comprehensive technical briefings, showcasing the ANKA-S’s mission systems, avionics, satellite communication capabilities, and its integration workflow ahead of handover to ÿմ.
The visit reflects ÿմ’s growing confidence in Turkiye’s maturing aerospace ecosystem, which has rapidly evolved to become one of the world’s most influential UAV exporters.
A major highlight of the visit was the Closing Ceremony of the ANKA Aircraft Transition Course, marking a historic milestone in ÿմ’s unmanned aviation development.
According to RMAF social media post, six RMAF pilots and six weapon sensor operators from No. 11 Squadron completed a demanding five-month training programme involving advanced simulator sessions, flight systems familiarisation, and extensive real-flight operations on ANKA platforms at TAI’s premises.
This course represents the formation of ÿմ’s first dedicated cadre of ANKA-S operators, laying the foundation for a future operational culture integrating unmanned and manned capabilities into a unified surveillance ecosystem.
During the visit, the RMAF Chief also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) following the recent C-130 crash that claimed 20 personnel, reaffirming strong defence ties between both nations.
Expanding Defence-Industrial Cooperation With Türkiye
The RMAF delegation held strategic engagements with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the central authority responsible for Türkiye’s defence procurement and military-industrial development.
At SSB, the delegation received high-level briefings detailing Turkiye’s rapid transformation into a global UAV power, powered by fully domestic supply chains, integrated avionics development, and a national commitment to autonomous technologies.
These engagements served as an opportunity for ÿմ to deep-dive into Türkiye’s modular UAV architecture, data-link security protocols, mission system integration, and emerging next-generation UAS projects.
The delegation also visited major Turkish defence companies such as Aselsan and Havelsan, both of which play critical roles in command-and-control systems, ground stations, satellite communications, avionics suites, artificial intelligence algorithms, and ISR data-fusion software for the ANKA ecosystem.
ÿմ’s visit signals the government’s increasing interest in potentially expanding defence cooperation into areas such as radar systems, electronic warfare, command networks, and long-range precision munitions.
Accompanying the Air Force Chief were Deputy Chief of Air Force Lieutenant General Dato’ Muhammad Tarminzi bin Haji Mustapha RMAF, the ÿմn Defence Attaché in Turkiye, and the UAS Project Team, emphasizing the national importance placed on this procurement.
The ANKA programme aligns squarely with the RMAF’s RMK-12 modernization priorities, which emphasize multi-domain awareness, early warning, digital warfare, and high-endurance surveillance as key pillars of ÿմ’s defence posture.
With the ANKA-S acquisition, ÿմ moves decisively into a future where unmanned platforms will play pivotal roles in sovereignty protection, maritime security, and persistent intelligence gathering.
ÿմ’s ANKA-S Procurement: A Strategic Leap in ISR Capability
ÿմ’s acquisition of the ANKA-S was formalized under a government-to-government arrangement during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023), reflecting strong bilateral political commitment to defence cooperation.
The deal, worth more than RM400 million (USD 85 million), includes three ANKA-S air vehicles, ground control stations, satellite communication systems, mission equipment, training packages, and long-term support infrastructure.
This makes ÿմ the first Southeast Asian country to field the ANKA-S—a platform already in service with several nations and proven in operational theatres such as Syria, Iraq, and Libya.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that ÿմ is expected to receive the first batch of ANKA-S drones in February 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in RMAF’s surveillance capabilities.
The Minister emphasised that the ANKA-S will dramatically improve the RMAF’s real-time surveillance, rapid data relay, and multi-domain situational awareness across maritime and territorial regions.
ÿմ has signaled plans to base the ANKA-S fleet at Labuan Air Base, a location strategically positioned as a forward-operating hub facing the South China Sea, where ÿմn maritime interests are frequently challenged.
The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most contested regions, with overlapping territorial claims, resource competition, and the presence of foreign naval and paramilitary vessels.
Former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that ÿմ must have “eyes that can see 350 kilometres beyond the coastline,” highlighting the necessity of persistent long-range ISR missions.
No. 11 Squadron will operate the ANKA-S fleet from Labuan, giving ÿմ an unprecedented 24-hour surveillance presence over the nation’s maritime approaches.
ANKA-S Technical Capabilities: A Next-Generation Multi-Role Strategic UAV
The ANKA-S is classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV capable of operating at altitudes up to 30,000 feet while remaining airborne between 24 and 30 hours, making it ideal for ÿմ’s vast maritime domain.
Its 250 to 350 kilogram payload capacity allows the integration of advanced sensors, secure communications pods, electronic surveillance payloads, and precision strike munitions.
The platform incorporates an advanced autonomous flight computer, composite airframe construction, fly-by-wire architecture, and redundant control systems, ensuring reliability even in contested or degraded communication environments.
A key strength of the ANKA-S is its multi-sensor ISR suite, consisting of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Inverse SAR (ISAR), and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes.
SAR enables high-resolution imaging through thick cloud cover and heavy rain, which is essential in ÿմ’s monsoon-dominated weather cycles.
ISAR supports maritime domain awareness by identifying and classifying vessels ranging from warships to fishing boats and high-speed craft.
GMTI enhances the detection and tracking of mobile ground targets, including convoys, armoured vehicles, and illicit cross-border movements.
The platform’s EO/IR turret, laser designator, and laser range finder enable precise target identification and engagement.
Unlike purely surveillance-oriented drones, the ANKA-S can also carry Roketsan’s MAM-L and MAM-C precision-guided munitions, with ranges of 8 to 14 kilometres, giving it an offensive capability for calibrated strikes.
These weapons are designed to neutralize armoured vehicles, fortified positions, fast boats, and other high-value tactical targets without risking pilots or escalating operational costs.
A ViaSat VR-18C airborne SATCOM antenna enables secure Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) control, granting ÿմn operators full command and video feed access regardless of distance within national airspace and EEZ boundaries.
ÿմ Powered by the TEI PD-170 turboprop engine, the ANKA-S delivers 150 horsepower while being compatible with diesel and JP-8 fuel, offering both logistical flexibility and extended endurance.
With over 200,000 accumulated flight hours, the ANKA platform has demonstrated its reliability under real combat conditions, making its introduction into ÿմ’s inventory a major leap forward in operational readiness.
Strategic Impact of ANKA-S Operations From Labuan Air Base
If deployed from Labuan Air Base, the ANKA-S will fundamentally reshape ÿմ’s operational posture across the South China Sea, Sulu Sea, and Sulawesi Sea—regions marked by smuggling, illegal fishing, maritime intrusions, and great-power competition.
Labuan’s geographical proximity to contested waters gives the ANKA-S unmatched reach and endurance for extended maritime patrols.
With its ability to remain airborne for more than 24 hours, the ANKA-S offers ÿմ an ISR capability previously impossible without deploying manned aircraft in continuous rotations.
This ensures persistent coverage of ÿմ’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where foreign coast guard vessels, maritime militia units, and state-backed fishing fleets routinely challenge ÿմn sovereignty.
The ANKA-S can monitor offshore oil and gas platforms, shipping lanes, and maritime choke points that are critical to ÿմ’s economic security.
In the Sulu-Sulawesi maritime corridor, the UAV’s sensors can detect fast-moving small boats used by smugglers, kidnappers, and militant groups.
Real-time data from the ANKA-S can be shared directly with the ÿմn Armed Forces (ATM), Royal ÿմn Navy (TLDM), and ÿմn Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), enabling immediate coordinated responses.
When armed with MAM-series precision munitions, the ANKA-S gives ÿմ a cost-effective strike capability for time-sensitive targets without deploying fighter aircraft.
The financial cost of operating the UAV is significantly lower than manned assets, allowing the RMAF to maintain high operational tempo without placing strain on defence budgets.
From a geopolitical perspective, the ANKA-S deployment will signal ÿմ’s resolve to defend its EEZ amid increasing activities by Chinese naval and paramilitary forces in the region.
China’s militarised artificial islands—equipped with long-range radars, missile systems, and aircraft—necessitate continuous ÿմn surveillance to safeguard national interests.
Neighbouring states such as Vietnam and the Philippines will view ÿմ’s UAV deployment as a step toward strengthening regional maritime security and deterrence.
The ANKA-S also enhances ÿմ’s ability to cooperate with friendly air forces operating advanced UAVs, opening avenues for intelligence-sharing, joint patrols, and combined training.
At the doctrinal level, the ANKA-S marks ÿմ’s transition into a network-centric operational environment, where real-time data fusion, multi-domain ISR, and precision engagement become key components of future warfare.
In strategic terms, the ANKA-S will serve not only as a surveillance platform but also as a symbol of ÿմ’s escalating commitment to protecting its maritime rights, national sovereignty, and regional stability.
The induction of the ANKA-S will redefine ÿմ’s defence posture and provide the armed forces with an unprecedented level of situational awareness in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.