U.S. Transfers Three CN235-220 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft to Malaysia

The United States officially transferred three CN235-220 maritime surveillance aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) on June 27 at Subang Air Base.

U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard D. Kagan, presented the “Universal Hand Control Unit (UHCU)” for the aircraft’s electro-optical/infra-red sensor turret to RMAF Commander Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia, the U.S. government provided approximately $60 million in Maritime Security Initiative grant funding to convert the three cargo aircraft into maritime surveillance configurations. The conversions were carried out by CN235 manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia. This initiative marks the first major U.S. security grant initiative in Malaysia. Other aid under the Maritime Security Initiative includes Insitu ScanEagle drones donated to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The CN235 aircraft are equipped with maritime surveillance radars, electro-optical infrared turrets, beyond line-of-sight communications, and roll-on/roll-off system operator stations. While specific sensor capabilities have not been disclosed, PT Dirgantara Indonesia claims the maritime surveillance radar can detect small targets up to 200 nautical miles away.

The conversion of the last CN235 was completed in June 2023, with the other two converted in June and October 2022, respectively. All three aircraft are operated by 1 Squadron out of Kuching Air Base in Sarawak, with one participating in the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Taming Sari live-fire exercise in December 2023.

The RMAF’s maritime surveillance capabilities are expected to be further enhanced with the planned arrival of three Turkish Aerospace Industries Anka-S drones configured for maritime surveillance starting next year, and the delivery of two Leonardo-built ATR 72 maritime patrol aircraft beginning in 2026.