Evolving threats push RMAF to strengthen maritime watch

KUALA LUMPUR: Developments across strategic waterways globally are prompting Malaysia to keep a watchful eye on its vast maritime areas, where threats to critical routes such as the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca could affect both national security and economic interests.

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris told the New Straits Times that the service must place greater emphasis on maintaining an aerial watch over the country's waters as maritime security challenges continued to evolve.

"Malaysia's maritime security challenges today are increasingly complex and multifaceted. As a maritime nation, it depends heavily on sea lines of communication for trade, resource security and economic stability," he said.

"Therefore, any disruption in strategic areas such as the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca would have a direct impact on national sovereignty and prosperity."

A CHANGING SECURITY LANDSCAPE

Norazlan said the main challenge begins with disputes and pressure from major powers in the South China Sea, imposing continuous stress on Malaysia's maritime sovereignty.

"This area continues to witness the presence of foreign coast guard vessels and research ships within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.

"Studies by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute indicate that 'grey zone' activities, such as aggressive patrols without open conflict, have increased in recent decades.

"At the same time, non-traditional threats have shown a significant rise. Illegal fishing activities by foreign vessels, particularly in the waters of Sabah and Sarawak, continue to occur repeatedly as data from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) also points to hundreds of arrests each year.

"These activities not only deplete national fishery resources but are also linked to transnational crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking, thereby increasing the complexity of maritime security management."

Norazlan said the same goes for the Strait of Malacca, where more than 80 per cent of Malaysia's trade passes through it.

"This high traffic density also increases security risks. Reports by the International Maritime Bureau show that petty theft and attempted piracy incidents still occur periodically.

"This situation requires continuous monitoring and effective response measures to ensure the safety of maritime navigation."

He added that the increasing use of drones and unmanned systems has further complicated maritime security operations by making potential threats more difficult to detect through conventional surveillance methods.

RMAF EXPANDS ROLE IN SECURING MALAYSIA'S WATERS

Norazlan said RMAF now plays a far greater role than conventional air defence, standing at
the forefront of national maritime security through integrated surveillance and rapid response capabilities.

He said RMAF has strengthened its role as a force multiplier for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and MMEA through the sharing of air information and integrated surveillance capabilities.

"RMAF's long-range radar network, Control and Reporting Centres, Regional Air Operations Centres and command-and-control systems allow it to generate a near real-time air and surface 'picture' to support operational decisions.

"These capabilities have enabled the early detection of aircraft movements and maritime activities, supporting faster operational decision-making and responses."

Norazlan said future capability development would continue to address both conventional and non-traditional threats through an integrated approach encompassing doctrine, personnel, assets and technology.

He said effective maritime surveillance also depended on close cooperation between RMAF, RMN, MMEA and other government agencies under a whole-of-government approach.

Continuous investment in technology and human capital is essential, particularly in areas such as cyber operations, data analysis and system integration.

"As geopolitical competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, maintaining comprehensive maritime awareness is becoming increasingly important for countries seeking to protect their sovereignty and economic interests.

"For Malaysia, safeguarding its maritime domain now extends beyond defending territorial waters. It increasingly requires the ability to detect emerging threats early, integrate intelligence across multiple agencies and maintain a credible presence across some of the world's busiest and most strategically contested sea lanes."

Norazlan also said it maintained a quick reaction alert readiness to allow fighter aircraft to be deployed within a short timeframe, while regular patrols over strategic areas, such as Beting Patinggi Ali, served as a deterrent through continued presence.

CAPABILITY GAPS DRIVE MODERNISATION

Norazlan described RMAF's current maritime surveillance capability as credible, but said it remained in a phase of transformation towards becoming a fully integrated, technology-driven force under the Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55).

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"Several challenges remain, particularly surveillance gaps across the vast maritime areas of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as limitations in the endurance and sensor capabilities of existing assets.

"These factors have been incorporated into RMAF's long-term capability planning under CAP55."

Norazlan said areas of priority include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the acquisition of maritime patrol aircraft, medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial systems and modern sensor technologies.

In June, RMAF officially inducted and deployed its new Turkish-made TAI Anka-S drone at Labuan Air Base to conduct maritime surveillance over the South China Sea.

Norazlan added that the air force was also prioritising expanded radar coverage in East Malaysia, stronger ISR integration, greater interoperability with other agencies and continued investment in highly skilled personnel capable of operating advanced systems.

"Collectively, these initiatives reflect the RMAF's shift towards a layered surveillance network capable of detecting, tracking and responding to threats across both the air and maritime domains."

FROM 'SEE AND REPORT' TO OPERATIONAL RESPONSE

In keeping Malaysia's maritime domain secured, Norazlan said a key element of that transformation is the acquisition of the Leonardo ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) which is set to be delivered next year.

He said the aircraft would also support anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and search-and-rescue operations, enabling faster detection, tracking and response to both conventional and non-traditional threats, including foreign military incursions, smuggling, human trafficking and illegal fishing.

Norazlan said the ATR72 represented a significant capability enhancement over the CN235 maritime surveillance aircraft.

"While the CN235 primarily performs surveillance and monitoring functions, the ATR-72 MPA extends beyond simply building maritime situational awareness. Instead, it is a transition from 'see and report' to 'see, track and support action'."

Equipped with more advanced sensors and greater endurance, the aircraft will be capable of conducting continuous ISR operations across the country while improving early detection of suspicious maritime activities.

"The acquisition reflects Malaysia's growing emphasis on persistent surveillance, allowing security agencies to maintain a clearer picture of activities across the country's vast maritime domain rather than reacting only after incidents occur."