The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) successfully flight tested an Anka-THS medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone in Malaysian skies for the first time on 3 April 2026.
This milestone was announced by the RMAF the following day, stating that No. 11 Squadron performed the three-hour flight from Labuan Air Base in East Malaysia. It was “part of the preparations before the handover of the new asset to the RMAF”.
Three of these Turkish Aerospace aircraft had arrived in Malaysia by sea in mid-January, before completing ground tests and institutional acceptance procedures. The Anka-THS is a tailored version of the Anka-S that utilises satellite communications.
Malaysia also selected a new type of radar not used by other Anka users, and integration work for this undisclosed radar meant delivery took more than 2.5 years. It is understood that Malaysian aircraft also feature modified wings.
Malaysian pilots and technicians had been training on the system in Turkey. Six pilots and six weapon sensor operators received their wings in Ankara in November 2025, after completing a five-month Anka conversion course.
The air force said the new Anka-THS assets “will strengthen the RMAF’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities in carrying out strategic surveillance in the eastern region and areas of national interest such as the South China Sea”.
The RMAF added: “The acquisition of this new asset will also directly enhance the capabilities of the RMAF and the Malaysian Armed Forces in carrying out strategic monitoring operations, maritime surveillance and intelligence gathering, thus strengthening the country’s defence preparedness and sovereignty.”
The RMAF did not mention strike missions in its statement, though Anka platforms do feature hardpoints. Therefore, Malaysia could acquire munitions at any stage in the future. Electronic and signal intelligence pods – available from Aselsan, for example – could also represent an option for the RMAF.
Malaysia ordered these three Anka MALE aircraft on 25 May 2023 during the LIMA exhibition. The deal was worth MYR423.8 million ($91.6 million), and it followed a letter of intent signed in around October 2022 when the RMAF first selected the Anka-S.
Bertan Kurt, Turkish Aerospace’s VP Corporate Marketing and Communications, told Asian Military Review at the time that the deal covered three UAVs, a single ground control station and two years of support. Subsequently, the RMAF will take full responsibility for maintaining the Ankas, although Turkish Aerospace has an engineering and design centre in Selangor able to provide assistance.
Malaysia was the seventh export client for the Anka. The MALE platform can stay aloft for 30 hours, and it can fly in various weather conditions by day or night.
The RMAF noted the Anka acquisition represented “part of Phase 1 of the National Defence Strategic Acquisition Plan under the 12th Malaysia Plan”.
Kurt therefore expected Malaysia to acquire additional aircraft under follow-on phases. The country has previously talked about needing 6-12 MALE UAVs. Nor does this necessarily mean the RMAF will procure more Ankas, with Kurt suggesting the more capable twin-engine Aksungur was also a good option for Malaysia.
by Gordon Arthur
