On December 28, 2023, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) achieved a historic breakthrough with the maiden flight of its next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle, ANKA III. The test flight lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes, during which the aircraft climbed to 8,000 feet and reached a speed of 150 knots. It also successfully performed a touch-and-go maneuver, demonstrating its operational readiness. This achievement highlights Türkiye’s growing capabilities in aerospace and defense technology.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a statement shared on social media, emphasized that ANKA III would play a significant role in strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. TUSAŞ Chairman Prof. Dr. Rafet Bozdoğan and CEO Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil both described the successful flight as a milestone for Türkiye, underlining that ANKA III symbolizes not only an advanced UAV platform but also the nation’s engineering and technological achievements.

ANKA III is designed with cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. It can also be equipped with both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, allowing it to perform a wide variety of missions. With a payload capacity of 1,200 kilograms, a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.7, and an operational ceiling of 40,000 feet, ANKA III is optimized for long-endurance, high-altitude missions, making it a formidable addition to Türkiye’s aerial fleet.

This successful maiden flight marks not only an enhancement of Türkiye’s national defense but also a significant step toward global competitiveness in UAV technology. With its advanced design and versatile capabilities, ANKA III is expected to strengthen Türkiye’s position in the international defense market and open new export opportunities.