RMAF Advances Surveillance Capability With ANKA-THS Debut

LABUAN, April 4 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has marked a key milestone in its asset modernisation efforts with the successful maiden flight of the ANKA-THS unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Labuan Air Base yesterday.

In a statement today, RMAF said the three-hour test flight was conducted successfully as part of preparations ahead of the asset’s official handover.

The exercise involved coordinated efforts among multiple parties, including the Air Force Headquarters -  Planning and Development Division (MTU-P&P), Air Operations Command Headquarters (MPOU), Air Region 2 Headquarters (MAWILUD 2) and Labuan Air Base.

Several agencies were also involved, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Defence Geospatial Division (BGSP), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the ANKA-THS is expected to enhance RMAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, particularly in the Eastern Region and areas of national interest, including the South China Sea.

The system is capable of operating in various weather conditions, day and night, with an endurance of over 20 hours.

ANKA-THS is part of Phase 1 of the National Defence Strategic Procurement Plan (PSPN) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), in line with RMAF’s capability development plan, CAP55.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen the operational readiness of the RMAF and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), particularly in strategic surveillance, maritime monitoring and intelligence gathering.

-- BERNAMA