(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Malaysia’s acquisition of three Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System (MALE UAS) “ANKA” from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) last year is progressing smoothly and is scheduled for delivery within the set timeframe.
Speaking to BERNAMA, Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Dr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, stated that there would be no delays in the delivery date of the ANKA MALE UAS to Malaysia, which will be operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
“I do not know the exact date (for delivery), but it will be delivered. Currently, in the process (of installation) of some specific requirements from Malaysia and training for personnel (from Malaysia),” he said in an interview held outside the Asia Defense Services Exhibition (DSA) and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2024.
Previously, news reports indicated that Malaysia is expected to start receiving the “ANKA” MALE UAS from next year.
Malaysia was the first country in the region to use the battle-proven “ANKA” MALE UAS, when the Ministry of Defense and TAI signed a contract to acquire the MALE UAS platform and support equipment in May last year during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023).
The Ministry of Defense advertised an international tender to acquire three MALE UAS along with related systems such as ground stations and other equipment, in August 2020.
Three more MALE UAS systems will be acquired in the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030).
Malaysia is reportedly planning to deploy the Turkish-made drones at a strategic airbase in Labuan to monitor any encroachment into the country’s waters in the South China Sea.
Former Defense Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasized the importance of equipping the country with comprehensive surveillance capabilities and the need to have “eyes to see and ears to hear” everything happening in the country’s waters, especially in the South China Sea.
“The three MALE drones we are acquiring will be deployed to the South China Sea. We must have the ability to see and hear. Our eyes must have the ability to see far, 350km from the coast,” he said.
He added that the country must know everything in the South China Sea before it happens.
“In the South China Sea, the country’s interest is very high, exceeding 20 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). There are our oil wells and gas wells,” he said when answering questions in the Senate April last year.
He said that the South China Sea is the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Malaysia is believed to have selected the “Anka-S” variant, capable of flying for 24 to 30 hours continuously, at an altitude of 30,000 feet and carrying a payload of between 250 to 350 kilograms.
The composite structure of the Anka-S unmanned aircraft integrates an autonomous flight control computer developed by a Turkish company to enable the UAS to perform flights using waypoint navigation and flight control.
The autonomous flight control system allows the Anka-S to “return” to a pre-defined location if it loses communication with its ground control station.
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Inverse SAR (ISAR), and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar carried by the Anka-S are used to detect, identify, and track static or moving targets on the ground.
The Anka-S uses the PD170 turboprop engine developed domestically by Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) under a contract with TAI in 2014.
The unmanned aircraft’s engine uses diesel and JP-8 jet fuel, providing a maximum power of 150 horsepower.
In addition to conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the Anka-S drone acquired by Malaysia also has the capability to carry four MAM Smart Micro guided missiles developed by another Turkish defense company, Roketsan, for ground attack missions.
The MAM guided missiles are also available in several variants, namely MAM-L (thermobaric), MAM-C (high explosive), and MAM-T (long-range attack).
The Anka-S drone is also equipped with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera for capturing high-resolution images and videos in all weather conditions, an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, a laser target designator, and a laser range finder.
It is also equipped with a high-powered ViaSat VR-18C satellite communication antenna, providing secure communication beyond the line of sight. — DSA