Thales, Malaysian Firm Team Up For Ground Based Air Defence Systems

Thales has signed a partnership agreement with the Malaysian firm Global Komited Sdn Bhd to co-develop a wide range of Ground-Based Air Defence systems for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

The signature ceremony, attended by The Malaysian Defence Minister, YB Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, was held at the DSA 2014 show.

“The agreement signed today is a positive development for the country's defence industry and includes the transfer of technology and knowledge of Ground-Based Air Defence systems that will benefit both the Malaysian Armed Forces as well as other armed forces in the region in the long run,” Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Weststar Group Managing Director, said.

He also added that for this year’s DSA exhibition, WESTSTAR, under its parent company Global Komited, will be showcasing several vehicles that focus on different fields of application for the defence and security sectors.

Their flagship vehicle, the GK-M1, highlights a new application whereby a Lightweight Multiple Missile Launcher may be mounted onto the vehicle with Thales STARStreak missiles installed within the Missile Launcher.

STARStreak Missile technology represents the latest development from Thales’s Belfast- based activity in Ground Based Air Defence systems, and will enable the Malaysian Armed Forces, particularly the Royal Malaysian Air Force, to replace the previously commissioned Starburst Missile System.

With this new collaboration, Thales will facilitate Global Komited in further incorporating a more comprehensive range of allied defence systems, such as a Command and Control radar system to support and protect all important government and military assets.