Malaysia is set to receive its first Turkish-built ANKA-S Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Systems (MALE-UAS) by March 2026. The acquisition signals a major shift in Kuala Lumpur’s defence posture, particularly in the context of intensifying geopolitical contestation in the South China Sea, where Malaysia’s territorial integrity and resource sovereignty face growing challenges.
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the ANKA-S is no ordinary surveillance drone. With its 30-hour endurance, ability to operate at 30,000 feet, and suite of advanced sensors and communication systems, the drone is purpose-built for long-range, persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions across complex maritime environments. Key components of the system—including radar modules—are currently undergoing integration and testing, sourced in part from German suppliers, as Malaysia gears up for operational deployment.
Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, during his recent visit to Türkiye, confirmed that Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) personnel have begun hands-on operational training at TAI’s facilities. The move ensures that Malaysia will not only receive the platforms but also the institutional capability to maintain and operate them independently.
“When we procure assets of this nature, the operational training element is always provided by the manufacturer,” Khaled Nordin told Malaysian media, highlighting the crucial role of skill transfer in defence procurement.
This structured training pipeline reinforces Malaysia’s strategy of not just buying hardware but embedding doctrinal and operational self-sufficiency in the use of such advanced technologies.
While the ANKA-S acquisition may appear technical, its strategic orientation is unmistakable. The drones are destined for RMAF Labuan, a forward-operating base geographically positioned near the contested Spratly Islands and adjacent to Luconia Shoals—areas that have witnessed repeated incursions by Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels.
Former Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who oversaw the initial phase of the procurement, had candidly described the rationale:
“The three MALE drones we acquired will be deployed to the South China Sea. We must possess the capability to see and hear. Our eyes must have the ability to observe up to 350km from the shoreline.”
Hasan’s remarks underscored Malaysia’s urgent need for real-time situational awareness in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), particularly over oil and gas infrastructure frequently shadowed by foreign vessels.
The ANKA-S is equipped to deliver both persistent ISR and selective offensive capability, a dual role that could redefine Malaysia’s concept of operations over its maritime territories.
Key performance highlights include:
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Endurance: Up to 30 hours of continuous flight.
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Altitude Ceiling: 30,000 feet, allowing coverage of vast sea lanes.
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Powerplant: A locally developed PD170 turboprop engine by Turkish Engine Industries (TEI), capable of running on both diesel and JP-8 aviation fuel.
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Autonomy: A fully autonomous flight control system allows waypoint navigation, automatic takeoff/landing, and return-to-base protocols in case of communication loss.
Its composite airframe provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, extending loiter time while enhancing survivability in contested airspaces.
The selected Malaysian ANKA-S variant features a multi-layered sensor array designed for dynamic threat environments:
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Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Inverse SAR (ISAR): For mapping and imaging through clouds and darkness.
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Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI): To detect and track moving objects on land or sea.
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Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Camera: For real-time, high-resolution video and thermal imaging.
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Laser Designator & Range Finder: To mark targets for precision-guided munitions.
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Identification Friend or Foe (IFF): Enhancing target discrimination and avoiding fratricide.
To support Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) operations, the UAV is equipped with a ViaSat VR-18C satellite communication system, enabling operations far from Malaysian shores with high reliability and encryption.
Though primarily designed for ISR, the ANKA-S can also carry and deploy up to four MAM-L or MAM-C Smart Micro Munitions, developed by ROKETSAN, allowing for precision strikes on high-value or time-sensitive targets.
These munitions, weighing between 6.5–22 kg, have demonstrated combat effectiveness in Libya, Syria, and Nagorno-Karabakh, reinforcing the utility of armed drones in hybrid conflict scenarios. With a 200+ kg payload capacity, the ANKA-S can also be reconfigured for communications relay, electronic warfare, or even search and rescue missions if required.
The drone acquisition is part of Malaysia’s larger force transformation initiative under the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is expected to allocate increased funding to maritime domain awareness, asymmetric capabilities, and cyber-electronic warfare.
While the initial contract includes three ANKA-S units and associated support infrastructure, defence sources in Kuala Lumpur indicate that the fleet size may grow if operational feedback is positive and budget allocations allow.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is also considering domestic maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, either in Labuan or Sabah, to reduce downtime and boost indigenous technical capacity.
The strategic implications of ANKA-S deployment are vast. As tensions in the South China Sea continue to simmer—with the People’s Republic of China increasing patrols and asserting expansive maritime claims—Malaysia’s move is a clear assertion of sovereign surveillance capability.
Unlike manned aircraft or naval patrols, drones offer persistence and deniability, making them ideal for a region where escalation management is as crucial as deterrence.
Beijing has frequently objected to what it perceives as “external interference” in the South China Sea. However, Malaysia maintains that its activities—ranging from oil and gas exploration to fisheries management—fall entirely within its UNCLOS-defined EEZ, and it has the right to monitor and defend them using all means available.
ANKA-S, thus, becomes a symbol of strategic independence, enabling Malaysia to monitor foreign vessels without triggering immediate escalation—a delicate but vital balance.
The deal is emblematic of Türkiye’s growing influence as a drone technology exporter. Alongside the better-known Bayraktar TB2, the ANKA-S series is establishing a strong export record, with sales to Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia. Combat-tested and affordably priced at USD 20–30 million per unit, the ANKA-S has disrupted a field once dominated by U.S. and Israeli drones.
Türkiye’s government-to-government sales model, often including training, technology transfer, and co-production options, is particularly attractive to Global South countries wary of Western restrictions or over-dependence.
By entering into a defence partnership with Türkiye, Malaysia not only gains a capable ISR asset but also sends a signal to other ASEAN states about the viability of alternative strategic partnerships beyond traditional Western suppliers.
Malaysia’s ANKA-S procurement sends three distinct messages:
- To domestic stakeholders: That the government is serious about defending national interests without overextending the budget.
- To regional neighbors and ASEAN: That Malaysia is modernizing responsibly and is prepared to assert its maritime claims with credible ISR capability.
- To external powers, notably China: That Malaysia will not rely solely on diplomatic avenues when it comes to defending its energy interests and territorial integrity.
The drones, when operational, will enable Malaysia to maintain constant aerial surveillance over disputed waters, creating a persistent intelligence loop that supports both diplomatic engagement and tactical decision-making.
Despite the optimism, several challenges remain:
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Sustainment and logistics: Operating high-end drones in tropical maritime environments poses issues related to corrosion, data bandwidth, and satellite coverage.
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Legal and ethical dimensions: The deployment of armed drones invites scrutiny regarding rules of engagement, especially if Malaysia ever chooses to employ them in a kinetic role.
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Integration into command-and-control networks: Ensuring that drone-derived intelligence is seamlessly integrated into Malaysia’s joint operational command structure will be critical for mission effectiveness.
Nevertheless, MINDEF appears aware of these challenges and has structured the ANKA-S program with sufficient support elements, including satellite uplinks, ground control stations, and data analysis capabilities.
