Turkey Is Developing A New Unmanned Fighter Called ANKA-3 MİUS
The Turkish defense industry is working hard to replicate its global success with the Bayraktar TB-2 and ANKA drones in the field of unmanned fighter aircraft. In this context, it was revealed that, in addition to the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed by Baykar, which recently completed its first flight test, TAI is also working on an unmanned fighter aircraft called ANKA-3. This was announced during Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay’s speech at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey’s General Assembly. Oktay stated in his speech that the ANKA-3 MİUS (National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle System) is a new generation project that will increase the capability of unmanned aerial vehicles and added: “ANKA-3, with its jet engine and speed, high load carrying capacity, and tailless structure that is almost invisible on radar, will open a new page in the field of UAVs. We will continue to share the good news from our ANKA-3 MİUS project with our nation next year.”
In his remarks before the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Oktay also discussed the most recent advancements in the Turkish defense industry. Oktay stated that the National Combat Aircraft, Kızılelma, and other unmanned warplanes will rewrite the defense balances. He also stated that the Turkish Armed Forces will receive the first deliveries of the long-range air defense systems Siper, Karaok, Bozdoğan, and Gökdoğan, and that Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicles (ZAHA), PARS 66 Mine Protected Vehicles, Modernized Armored Combat Vehicles (ZMA) and VURAN vehicles with domestic engines will enter the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces for the first time.
Turkish Defense Industry Agency President Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir first revealed the development of an unmanned fighter aircraft in a statement to SavunmaSanayiST during the international defense and security fair “INDO Defense Expo & Forum 2022” in Jakarta, Indonesia in November 2022. When asked whether we will see an unmanned fighter aircraft from TAI, Demir said, “it is on the production line, wait.” in response. There is little known about the Unmanned Aircraft System (TIUS) platform, later known as ANKA-3. There are only expectations and an old design image shared by TAI. The system, which is being developed based on the experience gained with ANKA class drones, is expected to be unveiled in the first half of 2023. One of the expectations for ANKA-3 is that it will be able to operate in tandem with Turkey’s future fighter TF-X (MMU in Turkish), another platform being manufactured by TAI.
Turkey is already actively using ANKA MALE UAV systems, developed by TAI, as part of the ANKA-1 project. Anka UAV systems, which come in three variants known as ANKA-A, ANKA-B, and ANKA-S, have also been exported to three countries: Tunisia, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia. AKSUNGUR, which was developed on the experiences gained from ANKA MALE unmanned aerial vehicles within the scope of the ANKA-2 Project, is currently actively used by the Turkish Navy, Air Force, and Special Missions (MİT). Indonesia is also known to be interested in Aksungur, which recently had its first export success with Kyrgyzstan.