ANKA

Anka is a proper noun used as both a surname and a given name in various cultures. One of the most widely recognized bearers is Paul Anka (born 1941), a Canadian-American singer and songwriter whose career began in the 1950s with hits such as Diana and My Way. Beyond this individual, the name Anka appears in different contexts as a family name and as a personal name for others.

In Turkish culture, the word Anka is associated with the mythic phoenix, a symbol of rebirth and endurance. This cultural association has informed the use of the name in various artistic and branding contexts within the region.

ANKA refers to a family of Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, the Anka UAV program began in the late 2000s. The platform has produced several variants, including Anka-A, Anka-B, and Anka-S, each with different capabilities in endurance, payload, and communications. The Anka line has been adopted by the Turkish Armed Forces and has been marketed for export to other countries, contributing to Turkey’s domestic defense and aerospace industry.

Overall, Anka encompasses a range of uses, from a surname and given name linked to notable individuals, to a mythic reference in Turkish culture, and a modern family of Turkish UAV systems with international relevance.