KUALA LUMPUR: When It Rains. Deftech is partnering with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to offer the Anka MALE UAV for the Armed Forces. If the deal is approved six Anka UAV and a single ground station will be purchased, initially.
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Basically this will be third maritime patroller to be operated by RMAF – together with the CN-235 MPA and the new built MPAs – if and when funding is made available of course. The Anka has an endurance of 24 hours and will be armed.
I was told that a decision is expected after the general elections. With Turkish Aerospace already offering work for Deftech’s sister company, CTRM Sdn Bhd, the greenlight is almost expected. It must be noted that the Anka’s airframe is fully composite, the kind of stuff that CTRM makes and survives on.
If the Anka deal is signed, more cooperation between Deftech is expected with TAI including the TF-X – the Turkish fighter program and the ATAK A129 attack helicopters.
It must be noted General Atomics is also offering a PFI deal to Malaysia involving its unarmed Predator XP. With the Trump administration changing its rules regarding armed UAVs to non-Nato countries, General Atomics officials say Malaysia may well get the clearance to buy the armed version of the Predators including the B version in the near future.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (27)
The offered UAV will have satcom capabilities?
The last i remember is that we are satcom needs leasing from France.
Wow, looks like the S which is satellite version.
Jadi inilah program 'ketiga' pesawat peronda TUDM..bravo,bagus,cantik,terbaik..
seronok melihat ATM yang semakin serius dalam pembangunannya..semakin maju ATM
syabas.
Is RMAF considering with Anka or Predator. I prefer Anka cause it is Much Cheeper than Predator XP. If we Get Anka, We could so Can Join The TFX, T-129 and also Altay rather buying US or EU.
Syabas ATM for moving towards the right direction in the procurement of sophisticated defence hardware and software. Hope to see more locally produce equipment to be procured through collaboration with Turkish & France consortiums. The more the merrier.
Predator...
If that is what they want, get them through EDA, as they are all retired from USAF.
If national interest is no1, then go for the ANKA.
ANKA-S is still prototype. If Malaysia still want to repeat the previous mistakes, then choose this one. lf ATM serious about what they want, Predator is agood buy. PFI will be a good choice to ease government spending. After all, let CTRM continue their work with the Aluddra/Scan Eagle. Any introduction of new type will make the whole program haywire... We cannot to waste a lot of money anymore...
Reply
Aludra/Scaneagle is for ESSCOM
Rumput - ''After all, let CTRM continue their work with the Aluddra/Scan Eagle.''
Aludra is a short range system. CTRM has formed partnerships with several foreign companies to offer the MAF better performing, longer range and higher altitude systems.
Rumput - ''lf ATM serious about what they want''
If it was up to the MAF we would long ago have a fleet of bought off the shelf foreign designs and we wouldn't be lagging in capability compared to Singapore or Thailand. Where we are now is a reflection of the challenges local companies have faced in delivering the desired capability. The idea or hope was that the local industry could meet most of our needs. We buying Scaneagle was due to the fact that Aludra Mk2 just couldn't offer us everything we wanted in a short range UAS.
Given that we already have short range systems; going for a MALE is the next course of action. What we have so far are operated under the Joint Force HQ and mostly in ESSCOM. The army's intel corps use to have some Aludra Mk1s and I believe now have Camcopters; both leased. Logically, the next step would be to raise a tri-service UAS command to oversee UAS operations in other parts of the country. This command would ensure
that those who need the intel/data gathered get it on time with as little bureaucratic, tri-service political issues as possible and avoid any role duplication.
With regards to a armed system; getting one is fine but we also have to have a proper ROE mechanism in place. No point having a armed system if operators operating in a time sensitive scenario have to wait long for authorisation to fire.
I though CTRM have developed MALE drones with Jordan? Why bought this then?
There are many advantages going with TAI Anka. First and more importantly, CTRM will get the offset work. Secondly this is a very capable MALE UAV that is offered to us, which is the S model.Its not a prototype as the Turkish AF uses it. Satellite comm means it can patrol out of line of sight , as needed for maritime patrols. Thirdly not being US means it can be armed in the future without all the political hoohaa. Remember Indonesia already has armed Wing Loong and Sings have the Heron. Go with Turkey.