# Tunisia makes U-turn, acquires 3 Turkish ‘Anka S’ drones

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/01/tunisia-makes-u-turn-acquires-3-turkish-anka-s-drones/
- Published: 2021-01-08T12:11:12+01:00
- Author: Oscar Nkala

The Tunisian Ministry of Defence has acquired three ‘Anka S’ combat drones from 
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) amid signs of strengthening military ties between
the two countries. According to the deal signed in [mid December between Tunisian officials and TAI executives,](https://www.military.africa/2021/01/tunisia-makes-u-turn-acquires-3-turkish-anka-s-drones/military.africa/2020/03/iade2020-tunisia-signs-contract-for-anka-s-uav)
Turkey will supply 3 combat drones and three Ground Control Stations as well as 
spares and accessories worth US$80 million, also, the drone deal will see a technology
transfer between TAI and Tunisia for the local assembly of the ANKA S with the possibility
of exporting it to other African countries.

The acquisition will be financed by the Turkish Eximbank, which will pay for up-
to 85% of the cost of the drone system. Tunisia previously [cancelled the drone deal](https://www.military.africa/2021/01/tunisia-makes-u-turn-acquires-3-turkish-anka-s-drones/military.africa/2020/09/despite-turkeys-backing-tunisia-cancels-anka-s-drone-deal)
in September last year, because the country couldn’t come up with its own part of
the payment.

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Up to 52 Tunisian pilots and maintenance staff will be sent to Turkey for training
on the operation of the Anka combat drone.

Considered as one of the most lethal in its class, the Anka S is a Medium Altitude
Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle with a wingspan of 17.3m. It features
integrated Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging and Inverse Synthetic Aperture
Radar systems. 
It has a Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI)  radar and  maritime
radar system capable of detecting small targets during long range surface surveillance
missions. It can be used in reconnaissance, surveillance, tracking and combat operations.
According to the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries, five Turkish defence 
firms exported US$150 million worth of military equipment to Tunisia in 2020. These
include [Kirpi Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)](https://www.military.africa/2021/01/tunisia-makes-u-turn-acquires-3-turkish-anka-s-drones/military.africa/2020/03/lna-conducts-tests-of-bmc-kirpi-armored-vehicle-reports-poor-performance)
vehicles and Nurol Makina’s Edjer Yacin armoured personnel carriers.

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