Three Aircraft in ‘Phase 1’ Procurement
On 25 May, the Malaysian MoD signed 43 contracts and agreements, cumulatively worth MYR10.128 billion (USD2.19 billion), at LIMA 2023. Among the more significant deals was one with Turkish Aerospace for Anka-S medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.
This procurement, for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), amounted to MYR423.8 million and will Malaysia its first ever unmanned MALE platform. The contract followed a letter of intent signed in October 2022 after the Anka-S had been selected for this long-standing requirement. Malaysia had issued a tender for this project in August 2020. The MoD disclosed that the deal with Turkey covers three Anka-S aircraft and a single ground control station. The “S” designation indicates the aircraft is fitted with satcom.
Bertan Kurt, VP Corporate Marketing and Communications at Turkish Aerospace, told MON that Malaysia has selected a different radar that is not presently fitted on the Anka. With extra work required to integrate this radar, of undisclosed progeny, delivery of the aircraft will only occur about two years from now. The RMAF’s Anka-S will be able to operate over both land and water, and all Anka platforms are able to carry armaments such as Roketsan’s MAM-L, though it is unclear whether Malaysia plans to arm its UAVs at this stage.
Malaysian pilots and technicians will train on the system in Turkey over a period of two years. Turkish Aerospace will also offer technical support for the first two years after delivery, before the RMAF takes over responsibility for maintenance. The company opened an engineering and design office in Selangor, Malaysia in November 2021.
The MoD called this procurement UAS MALE Phase 1, so Kurt expected multiple follow-on phases will see Malaysia seek additional UAVs. They may not necessarily be more Ankas, but Malaysia could target even more capable platforms, such as Turkish Aerospace’s twin-engined Aksungur. Previously, Malaysia has talked about obtaining 6-12 MALE UAVs.
Malaysia becomes the seventh export client for the Anka. Neighbouring Indonesia also operates the Anka-S, ordering the platform after a dalliance with the CH-4B beginning in 2019. Jakarta’s purchase of the Anka suggests it was not entirely satisfied with the Chinese-built system.
Gordon Arthur reporting from Langkawi
