Turkish Aerospace to Export Three Customised ANKA Drone Systems to Malaysia

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) signed a contract to export three specially customised ANKA drone systems to Malaysia for approximately $100 million.
The ANKAs for Malaysia are equipped with with satellite control capability besides radars specific to Malaysia's needs. Deliveries are targeted to be completed within 2 years.
The contract constitutes Phase-1, while Malaysia's ANKA procurement will continue in the form of Phase-2, Phase-3. The total number of drones phase-wise was not disclosed by TAI officials at the show.
TAI Deputy Chairman Ömer Cihad Vardan told AA correspondent that the fact that Malaysia and Indonesia are brotherly countries with Turkey and that they have no political problems adds a special value to the relations.
The contract was won against offerings from the U.S., China and Italy, reports say.

The ANKA family of medium-altitude reconnaissance drones has a wingspan of 17.5 meters and a length of 8.6 meters besides a service ceiling of 30,000 feet. They can remain airborne at the operational altitude of 18,000-23,000 feet for more than 30 hours.
The Malaysian Air Force will deploy the drones to protect its exclusive economic zone. If needed the drone can be fitted with a missile for air-to-surface missions.