Exclusive: Turkish Anka Certified as Tank Hunter Aerial Drone Firing L-UMTAS Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.

On January 9, 2025, Turkish Aerospace Industries reported a significant advancement in Turkey’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities. The TUSAS (Turkish Aerospace Industries) Anka Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) has officially been certified to carry and deploy the L-UMTAS missile, developed by Roketsan, positioning the Anka as a formidable "tank hunter" in modern warfare. This integration marks a major step in enhancing the operational capacity of the Anka UCAV, allowing it to perform precision anti-tank and anti-armor strikes with long-range capability​.
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Turkish Anka Aerial Drone Firing L-UMTAS Anti-Tank Guided Missiles in Precision Strike. (Picture video footage Turkish Aerospace Industries)

The Anka UCAV is a Turkish-made medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV designed to perform multiple roles such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike operations. The Anka has an operational endurance of over 24 hours and a maximum service ceiling of 30,000 feet, enabling it to cover vast areas for extended periods while avoiding threats. With satellite communication for real-time data transmission, it delivers high-resolution imagery, making it effective for surveillance in challenging environments. The Anka can carry a range of payloads, including electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors, as well as guided munitions. The addition of the L-UMTAS missile significantly enhances its strike capabilities, enabling the Anka to engage both armored vehicles and static targets with precision, effectively expanding its role within the Turkish military’s operational scope​

The L-UMTAS (Laser-guided Long-Range Anti-Tank Missile System) is a cutting-edge weapon system designed for anti-tank and anti-armor operations, including engagements against bunkers, armored vehicles, and personnel. The missile is equipped with a laser guidance system, allowing it to lock onto targets both before (LOBL) and after (LOAL) launch, ensuring precision strikes against both stationary and moving targets. With a range of up to 8 kilometers, the L-UMTAS enables the Anka UCAV to remain at standoff distances while neutralizing high-value targets. The missile’s 37.5 kg weight and tandem anti-tank warhead make it highly effective against modern armor. It also features high explosive fragmentation and thermobaric capabilities, giving it the versatility to handle a variety of target types across multiple combat scenarios​.

The integration of the L-UMTAS missile into the Anka UCAV system represents a significant enhancement to the UAV's operational versatility. The Anka, which has already proven its value as a surveillance and reconnaissance platform, now takes on true strike capabilities, positioning it as a "tank hunter" with the ability to engage both armored and static targets with high precision. The combination of satellite control, long-range precision targeting, and survivability under various combat conditions makes the Anka UCAV a formidable asset in both surveillance and close support operations. This certification allows the Anka to expand its role within Türkiye’s military forces, offering greater flexibility in addressing a wide range of tactical scenarios​.

This certification is not just a leap for TUSAS and Roketsan; it is a testament to Turkey’s growing influence in the global defense market. The deployment of such advanced UAVs is a game-changer, with Anka models, such as the Anka-S, already being considered for export to countries like Indonesia. The integration of the L-UMTAS missile into the Anka will likely attract the attention of other nations seeking effective, low-cost platforms for anti-tank and precision strike missions. As UAV technology continues to grow in demand worldwide, Turkey’s ability to offer such a capable system is set to strengthen its defense partnerships globally. Moreover, this achievement underscores Turkey’s commitment to self-reliance and technological innovation within its defense sector​.

The certification of the Anka UCAV with the L-UMTAS missile is a milestone for both TUSAS and Roketsan, as well as for Türkiye’s defense industry. It significantly enhances the Anka’s capabilities, transforming it into a potent tool for precision strikes against ground-based armored threats. As the global demand for advanced UAV systems rises, the combination of Anka and L-UMTAS will likely play an increasingly important role in Türkiye’s military operations and defense export strategy. With this upgrade, Türkiye has further solidified its position as a key player in the unmanned aerial system market, and the future of the Anka UCAV looks brighter than ever.