Malaysia Will Start Receiving Turkish Made MALE-UAS ANKA-S Drones In March 2026

Defence affair analysis

Malaysia is expected to receive the Medium Altitude Long Endurance-Unmanned Aerial System (MALE-UAS) "ANKA" made by Turkiye by March 2026.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the aircraft, manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is currently in the process of integrating the radar system and radio communication installation brought from Germany.

"Currently, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officers who will operate the aircraft are undergoing operational training with the supplier."

"When we purchase assets like this, operational training elements are also provided by the company that supplies them," he told Malaysian reporters who are currently on a working visit to Turkey.

Regarding the possibility of additional acquisition of the ANKA MALE-UAS, Mohamed Khaled said that the decision on the national defence asset acquisition plan will be determined by the government based on the 13th Malaysia Plan which is scheduled to be presented on July 31.

The contract for the acquisition of three ANKA MALE-UAS units along with related support equipment was signed between the Ministry of Defence and TAI during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 2023).

The ANKA drone acquired by Malaysia will play an important role in monitoring efforts in the South China Sea.