TAI to begin mass production of stealth drone Anka III, focuses on 2026 deliveries

2026-01-27 - 11:13

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is transitioning from a landmark export year to a new phase focused on production and delivery of key domestic air platforms. The company’s CEO, Mehmet Demiroglu, outlined plans to begin mass production of the advanced stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Anka III this year, with its first flight expected in 2026. Building on a record export performance Demiroglu described 2025 as a “super” year, highlighted by Türkiye’s largest-ever defense export: a deal worth nearly $15 billion to supply the indigenous Kaan stealth fighter jet to Indonesia. “This was a massive source of motivation for us at TAI, as well as for the Kaan program, and for our country in general,” he stated. The year also concluded with a major European sale, exporting approximately 30 Hurjet jet trainers to Spain. Focus shifts to delivery and prototyping For the current year, TAI's priority is executing deliveries. “Our main priority is deliveries of the jet trainers Hurjet and Hurkus and our unmanned vehicles,” Demiroglu explained. Deliveries of 22 Hurkus trainer aircraft are scheduled within the year. Concurrently, prototyping continues at pace, with the first P1 prototype of the Kaan fighter jet to be introduced this year, followed by a P2 prototype. The company aims to have all main flight platforms airborne together by mid-2026. Advancing rotary-wing and stealth UCAV projects Alongside fixed-wing projects, TAI is developing new helicopters, including a 10-ton model for the Forestry General Directorate and dedicated platforms for the Turkish Armed Forces slated for completion in 2028. The stealth UCAV Anka III represents a significant leap, with its design now complete. “The Anka III will fly more stealthily with its ‘ghost’ features in 2026,” Demiroglu said, indicating that the company aims to achieve desired mass production and new sales milestones next year.