Turkey's Anka surveillance UAV has made its first flight.
The medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV conducted its maiden flight over the eastern province of Elazig, according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News [http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/anka-carries-out-first-missionary-flight.aspx?pageID=238&nID=94830&NewsCatID=345]. It was designed by TAI, a Turkish Army Forces Foundation company.
Anka's debut comes amid increasing tensions along Turkey's border with Syria, where Turkish jets downed a Russian fighter last year. "It has initially been deployed in Elazıg due to the current strategic needs of the Turkish General Staff, said Deputy Defense Minister Suay Alpay at the launch of the Anka's first flight," Hurriyet said.
Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Find him on X at @Mipeck1. His email is mikedefense1@gmail.com.
