Royal Malaysian Air Force’s defence: Thales recently signed an agreement to supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force with the GM400 long-range radar and a full station infrastructure.
Thales is Malaysia’s air defence partner, building on the success of its predecessor, the GM400, which had the RMAF as its debut client in 2009.
The GM400a improves the RMAF’s air defence and air surveillance. The mobility, expanded instrumented range (515 km), improved processing power (about five times more), and artificial intelligence capabilities of the radar improve situational awareness, providing extra minutes for decision-making and action.
In order to improve air surveillance and defence capabilities, Denmark and the Netherlands recently strengthened their strategic defence alliance by purchasing five Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C).
This radar, which is in use in over 20 countries, uses GaN technology and monitoring capabilities to identify a range of threats, including UAVs flying close to the ground, rapid planes, and missiles. By guaranteeing an accurate and acknowledged aerial image, the GM400a contributes to the preservation of airspace sovereignty in a world where threats and conflicts are constantly changing.
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Royal Malaysian Air Force’s defence
“We are thrilled that Thales’ GM400a radar is selected by the Royal Malaysian Air Force to be a strategic asset of Malaysia’s air defence and surveillance systems,” said François-Xavier Boutes, country director, Thales, about the contract. This agreement represents a new turning point in the ongoing success story that started in 2009 and strengthens the defence collaboration between France and Malaysia.
According to GlobalData’s intelligence on the Malaysian defence market, the country is actively strengthening its national defence capabilities in the air, sea, and land domains. This is evidenced by a surge in defence spending, which is expected to reach $6.2 billion (RM29.2 billion) by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%.
This partnership represents a step forward in safeguarding Malaysia’s airspace, since Thales provides a whole radar station, including necessary infrastructure.
For the period ending September 30, 2023, Thales has reported sales of €12.9 billion, reflecting a 7.5% organic reduction, and order intake of €12.4 billion, or $13.4 billion, indicating an 18% organic decrease.
