New Prototypes of TAI ANKA-3 Will Fly in 2027

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has moved to a new phase in the ANKA-3 unmanned aerial vehicle project. TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu announced that the design of the new configuration has been completed and production work has started, in line with the data obtained from the flight tests carried out with the two existing prototypes.

The new prototypes are planned to make their first flights in the first half of 2027 and participate in the remaining test activities. In this process, it is aimed to transfer the experiences gained with existing prototypes to the new design.

Payload capacity increases to 1.7 tons

One of the important changes in the new ANKA-3 configuration is the increase in payload capacity. Demiroğlu stated that the 1,200 kilogram capacity announced for the current configuration will be increased to 1,700 kilograms in the new design.

TAI also announced that improvements have been made to reduce the radar cross-sectional area in the new version and that a new phase has been reached in paint and coating technologies. These studies aim to improve the low visibility features of ANKA-3.

Air-to-air capability as well as air-to-ground missions

ANKA-3 combines low visibility and high subsonic speed features with its tailless flying wing design and turbofan engine. Existing prototypes have also conducted firing tests with precision-guided munitions. In the tests announced by TAI, the platform made successful shots with the ROKETSAN-produced TEBER-82 guidance kit and ASELSAN-produced TOLUN ammunition.

Demiroğlu stated that the new configuration was developed so that it can be used in air-air missions as well as air-ground missions. This statement reveals that ANKA-3's mission scope is aimed to be expanded. However, detailed information about the new prototype's test schedule for these capabilities and the ammunition to be used was not shared.

First deliveries are targeted for the end of 2027

According to TAI's planning, the new prototypes are aimed to fly in the first half of 2027, and the first deliveries to the Turkish Air Force are expected to begin at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028. These dates reflect current planning; The exact schedule of deliveries will depend on test results and agreements with the user.

Demiroğlu also announced that export negotiations for ANKA-3 are continuing with countries in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. However, there is no announced export contract or delivery schedule yet.

The next stage in ANKA-3

With the new configuration entering production, the ANKA-3 program is moving from testing of existing prototypes to flights of vehicles with updated designs. Flights planned in 2027 will be important to verify the increased payload capacity and improved low visibility capabilities.