The Turkish Aerospace Industries' Anka-3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle made its maiden flight on December 28, 2023.
The website of the Defence Industry Agency featured a video of the aircraft's first flight.
In a statement made on his X account, President of Defence Industry Agency Haluk Görgün said, "We have launched a new state-of-the-art national system into the sky. With its high payload carrying capacity, tailless structure, and low radar cross-section, our Anka-3 UCAV will perform reconnaissance, surveillance, air-air and air-ground attack missions."
Görgün remarked, "We will continue to work towards full independence in our defence industry under the leadership of President Erdoğan."
TRT reported that the Anka-3 flew for 70 minutes, during which it achieved an altitude of 8,000 feet and a speed of 150 knots.
Anka-3 is designed to have a battery life of 10 hours and is capable of carrying a payload of 2800 kg.