Malaysia’s Air Force Tests ANKA-THS Drone to Strengthen Surveillance Capability
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has completed the maiden flight of the ANKA-THS unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Labuan Air Base, marking a step forward in the country’s defence modernisation efforts. The three-hour test flight forms part of preparations before the asset’s official handover and is intended to strengthen Malaysia’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. According to a report by Bernama, the platform will support monitoring activities in strategic areas, including the eastern region and the South China Sea.
Test Flight Conducted Through Multi‑Agency Coordination
In a statement, the RMAF said the flight test was carried out through coordinated efforts between several operational and planning units. These included the Air Force Headquarters Planning and Development Division (MTU-P&P), the Air Operations Command Headquarters (MPOU), Air Region 2 Headquarters (MAWILUD 2) and Labuan Air Base.
Multiple government agencies also supported the exercise. These included the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the Defence Geospatial Division (BGSP), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Their involvement helped ensure that airspace coordination, communications management and weather monitoring were aligned with operational requirements.
Enhancing Long-Endurance Surveillance Operations
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the ANKA-THS UAV is designed to support intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The platform can operate for more than 20 hours and is capable of functioning in a range of weather conditions during both day and night operations.
These capabilities are expected to strengthen situational awareness in areas of national interest, particularly maritime zones and the eastern region of Malaysia. The addition of advanced UAV systems reflects a wider push to expand technology-driven monitoring and data collection tools across defence and public-sector operations, complementing broader initiatives such as efforts to protect Malaysia’s sovereignty over critical digital infrastructure.
Part of Malaysia’s Long-Term Defence Procurement Plan
The ANKA-THS programme forms part of Phase 1 of the National Defence Strategic Procurement Plan (PSPN) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). The acquisition also aligns with the RMAF’s long-term capability development roadmap known as CAP55.
By expanding unmanned aerial capabilities, the Malaysian Armed Forces aim to strengthen operational readiness in areas such as maritime monitoring, intelligence gathering and border surveillance. The development also reflects Malaysia’s wider investment in aerospace and advanced technology sectors, alongside initiatives such as the development of the Selangor Aero Park to drive tech-focused expansion.
