RM43mil Japanese anti-drone tech to be placed in Sepanggar, Labuan

The RM43 million anti-drone systems procured from Japan will be stationed in several strategic locations in Malaysia, including Labuan and Sepanggar in Sabah.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) supplied under an official security assistance programme by Japan is aimed at bolstering Malaysia’s preparedness for drone attacks, Berita Harian reported.

“We are facing a very different geopolitical situation and are located in a region with distinct challenges. As I’ve often stressed, we are a maritime nation.

“As much as we defend our land, we must also protect our entire maritime domain. We must control our waters, including in the Straits of Melaka and the South China Sea,” he was quoted as saying.

“We are also well aware that the South China Sea includes areas disputed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines. Therefore, we must ensure our defence capabilities to maintain control over our maritime domains.”

Japan will provide the Malaysian navy with the C-UAS under a RM43 million deal signed by Khaled and Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, on Oct 20.

This marks the first time that Japan is supplying the C-UAS to Malaysia under its official security assistance programme. Seen as a strategic partner of Japan’s, Malaysia has been a recipient of this security assistance since 2023.