Merad air defence system to be operational by mid-2030

KUALA LUMPUR: The procurement of short-range air defence (Shorad) systems for the army and medium-range air defence (Merad) systems for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with Merad expected to be fully operational by mid-2030.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the procurement was part of efforts to develop a layered air defence system, in line with the Mid-Term Review of the Defence White Paper and the armed forces' Air Domain Strategy.

"The procurements will extend the range and layers of the country's air defence and enhance the armed forces' ability to detect and respond to various aerial threats," he said in a parliamentary written reply.

He said Merad would be a key component in establishing a more integrated, layered and credible air defence system.

Currently, the army and RMAF rely on very short-range air defence (VShorad) systems, which provide short-range protection but need to be enhanced to counter increasingly complex aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and drones.

Merad procurement falls under Phase Two of the Defence Ministry's National Defence Strategic Plan (PSPN) 2026-2030, which includes acquiring key air defence assets to counter modern threats such as long-range missiles and drone incursions.

The RMAF said in April that the Merad project was expected to enhance layered air defence capabilities, improve operational readiness and strengthen surveillance and responses to aerial threats.