New Images of Türkiye’s Stealth Drone Anka-III.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced on its X account on August 19, 2024, a major advancement for its stealth drone Anka-III. During a test flight, the drone successfully retracted its landing gear mid-flight, marking a crucial new step in its development. This test, conducted on December 28, 2023, highlights the ongoing evolution of this ambitious project.
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The Anka-III is a Turkish stealth drone. (Picture source: Türk Havacılık Uzay Sanayii)

TAI shared images of the test on its official X account, emphasizing Anka-III's performance during this critical phase. The drone, powered by a turbofan engine and developed using domestic and national resources, successfully retracted its landing gear during flight, a first for this aircraft. This event not only showcases TAI’s capability to innovate in military aviation but also reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening its technological autonomy.

In a statement, TAI said, "Anka-III, which made its inaugural flight on December 28, 2023, has now successfully completed another essential phase by retracting its landing gear mid-flight. This achievement highlights Anka-III’s exceptional performance and brings us closer to pioneering technologies that will strengthen our nation’s defense capabilities. As Anka-III prepares for future missions with its cutting-edge technology and innovative design, it is poised to have a significant impact on Türkiye’s defense industry. Growing stronger each day, Anka-III is counting down the days to ensure the security of our homeland."

Anka-III is equipped with impressive specifications. With a maximum cruise speed of 0.7 Mach, an operational ceiling of 40,000 feet, a payload capacity of 1,200 kg, and an endurance of 10 hours, this drone positions itself as a key player in combat UAVs. Additionally, it shares avionics architecture and a ground control station with its predecessors, the Anka and Anka II, while offering low radar visibility, high transit speed, and substantial payload capacity. Designed for both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight operations via satellite control, Anka-III has a maximum takeoff weight of 6,500 kg, a cruise speed of 250 knots (0.42 Mach) at 30,000 feet, and a maximum speed of 425 knots (0.7 Mach).

This achievement underscores Türkiye’s growing capabilities in combat drones, further enhancing its technological prowess in defense. For several years, Türkiye has made significant investments in developing its defense industry, aiming to reduce its reliance on imports and become a key player on the international stage. The development of drones like Anka-III is a clear example of these efforts. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to modernize the Turkish armed forces while fostering local innovation. Through close collaboration between the government, industry, and research institutions, Türkiye has managed to create an industrial base capable of producing advanced weapons systems that not only meet national needs but also resonate in international markets.

The success of Anka-III thus symbolizes the dynamism of Türkiye’s defense industry, which continues to grow at a steady pace, both in terms of technical capabilities and international reach. This progress reflects Türkiye’s determination to establish itself as a regional leader and global player in defense technologies, while also strengthening the security of its territory and armed forces.

This test highlights the ongoing evolution of this ambitious project. (Picture source: Türk Havacılık Uzay Sanayii)