Malaysia's Air Force Seeking Advanced Drone Technology

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is seeking high technology unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to boost its air defence capabilities.

Air Force chief Tan Sri Affendi Buang was quoted as saying by Bernama that RMAF was aware the uses of UAV technology had many advantages apart from functioning more extensively.

"RMAF is planning to use UAV in future especially in monitoring strategic areas such as South China Sea, Straits of Malacca and Sulu Sea near Sabah. Information from UAV can be shared with other related security forces branches," AF chief said after witnessing a Paradise Mini Exercise at the Kota Belud Shooting Range on Tuesday.

Affendi said RMAF was also conducting a detailed study to identify the UAV capable of meeting the current needs of the country apart from being equipped with technologies which could be shared with various parties in the country.

"Besides security surveillance, UAV can also be used for other purposes such as weather information and others," he said.

Affendi noted that UAVs equipped with sophisticated technology with a wider flying range would be suitable to the requirements of national security apart from meeting the needs of other government agencies and departments.