RMAF’s ANKA-THS drone completes maiden test flight

 The drone is capable of operating in various weather conditions and can remain airborne for more than 20 hours.

The three-hour flight was conducted at Labuan Air Base as part of final preparations before the system is officially handed over to the RMAF. (RMAF pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Royal Malaysian Air Force has successfully completed the first test flight of its new ANKA-THS unmanned aerial system, marking a key milestone in its modernisation programme.

The three-hour flight was conducted at Labuan Air Base as part of final preparations before the system is officially handed over to the RMAF.

Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, the drone is capable of operating in various weather conditions and can remain airborne for more than 20 hours.

“The ANKA-THS system is expected to strengthen RMAF’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in conducting strategic surveillance in the eastern region and other areas of national interest such as the South China Sea,” RMAF said in a statement.

It said the successful trial was achieved through close coordination among various military departments and several supporting agencies, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the Malaysian meteorological department (MetMalaysia). - FMT