LIMA 2025: TA prepares to deliver Ankas to Malaysia

The Turkish Aerospace Anka (Phoenix) is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). (Janes)

Turkish Aerospace (TA) is on track to deliver all three Anka (Phoenix) multirole unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on contract to Malaysia in 2025, Mehmet Demiroğlu, TA CEO and president, has said.

Speaking to Janes during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2025 in Malaysia on 20 May, Demiroğlu said that the “project is going according to the plan” with the first UAV due to be delivered in September 2025. The third Anka on order will be handed over to Malaysia by November, he added.

In keeping with the plan, the construction of the hangars for the new UAVs has also been completed as of today, Demiroğlu said. “This is a significant milestone for the project and will allow Malaysia to operate the aircraft after they are delivered,” he added.

Janes understands that the hangars are custom-designed for the Anka platform and include fuel storage systems designed to support the UAVs.

Janes has previously reported that the three Anka aircraft will operate from Labuan Air Base, off Sabah state, East Malaysia. According to Janes Orders of Battle, this airbase hosts several transport units and a combat squadron equipped with BAE Systems Hawks.

The Malaysian Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) announced the contract to acquire the three aircraft in the 2023 edition of LIMA. Valued at MYR423.8 million (USD91.6 million), the contract for the three Anka aircraft comprises Phase 1 of the acquisition. A medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) platform, the Anka has a maximum take-off weight of 1,700 kg and an endurance of 30 hours.