Giant Exports From Tai
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will export 3 ANKA systems to Malaysia for approximately 100 million dollars.
Turkish defense industry company TAI achieved a new export success at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023), one of the largest defense exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Within the scope of the contract signed with the Malaysian Ministry of Defense for the needs of the Air Force, 3 ANKA systems will be exported for approximately 100 million dollars. The ANKAs, which have satellite control capability, will be equipped with radars specific to Malaysia’s needs. Deliveries are expected to be completed within 2 years.
While the contract is called Phase-1, Malaysia’s ANKA procurement will continue as Phase-2, Phase-3.
“4.5 Years Of Sweet Fatigue”
Ömer Cihad Vardan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of TAI, told AA correspondent that the fact that Malaysia and Indonesia are sister countries with Turkey and that they have no political problems adds a special value to their relations.
Stating that they have been trying to ensure that the products they produce are used in these geographies by promoting them for years, Vardan said:
“Our friends worked very hard. As a result of 4-4.5 years of work, we signed the contract for 3 ANKA’s. Of course, this may sound very simple as 3 equipment. But we need to look at the next dimension and the importance of ANKAs for this region. When you go abroad, you are not only a seller, you are not only presenting your products. You are competing with the countries of the world in a big arena. This whole process frankly exhausted us for 4.5 years, but it was a sweet exhaustion. The fact that we have finally signed this agreement, an agreement worth around 100 million dollars, is a source of pride for all of us, for the whole team. It is also an important work on behalf of Turkey. It will not stop with this. This is the first phase, which we call Phase-1. We think it will continue after this.”
Tailor-made UAV
Ömer Cihad Vardan said that since Malaysia is made up of islands, it requires capabilities such as long-range visibility and the ability to stay in the air for a long time.
Explaining that ANKAs are very capable and can respond to these requests, Vardan said, “The UAVs and ANKAs we will give to Malaysia will be equipped with special radars. Therefore, the delivery time is getting longer. We will be making and delivering equipment specifically for their own requests, which we call tailor-made.”