Web Desk
Turkey’s main aerospace manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Pakistani institution to produce components for a long-endurance drone , Anka.
The Anka is considered as a ‘medium-altitude, long-endurance’ drone, which can stay airborne for up to 24 hours or longer and can carry out surveillance and attack missions. The Anka is capable of carrying up to 200kg of sensors or weapons like lightweight air-to-surface missiles, according to Turkish media reports.
Turkish Aerospace (TUSAS) signed the agreement with Pakistan’s National Engineering and Science Commission (NESCOM) on the sidelines of the recent International Defense Industry Fair, held in Istanbul.
Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency media outlet reported the agreement aims to “expand the potential market for UAVs and to increase cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.
Temel Kotil, an executive of TUSAS, was quoted by Anadolu Agency as saying, “This way, our UAVs will be strengthened. It is very important that we continue our historical brotherhood for the gains of both countries. We will implement the human resources cooperation we have made in the past years in this contract as well. In addition, we will develop production and especially technological developments together.”
The first export order of the Anka drone was confirmed in 2020, with Tunisia revealed to be the buyer.
The Anka UAV performed its maiden flight in September 2016 and entered serial production in 2017.
The drone, which is manufactured locally, is currently in active use by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the Gendarmerie General Command and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).
In Dec. 2019, TAI opened its first office in Pakistan at the country’s National Science & Technology Park, in the capital, Islamabad.
