Chad confirms delivery of Hürkus, Anka aircraft from Turkey

Chad's new Hürkuş-C turboprops at Adji Kosseï airbase in N'Djamena. (Présidence de la République du Tchad)

The Chadian Air Force has received Hürkuş turboprop aircraft and Anka long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), it was confirmed on 10 July, when President General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno visited the country's main airbase to inspect the new assets. Both types are made by Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ).

The president's office released a video showing at least three Hürkuş-C light attack variants and two Anka UAVs at Adji Kosseï airbase in N'Djamena. The Ankas had bulges for satellite communications antennas, which would enable them to operate over the far north of the country from N'Djamena.

Gen Déby also inspected a Roketsan MAM-L laser-guided bomb, which can be used by both aircraft types, and what appeared to be a pod for Roketsan Cirit laser-guided missiles.

TUSAŞ officials announced the Chadian order for the Hürkuş-C in 2022, saying the aircraft were scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2023 and that pilots and ground crew were being trained. The company reported in May that it had delivered three Hürkuş-Cs and two Ankas to Chad, as well as two Hürkuş to neighbouring Niger, which placed the first confirmed export order for the type.