Sistem antidron dibekal Jepun akan diletak di Sepanggar, Labuan

Malaysia has received a drone defense system from Japan to bolster its capabilities in combating drone threats, according to Defense Minister Khaled Nordin. The Counter-UAS (C-UAS) system will be stationed at strategic locations, including Sepanggar and Labuan. Nordin emphasized that Malaysia, being a maritime nation, needs to protect its entire maritime domain, especially in the South China Sea, where disputes among China, Vietnam, and the Philippines are prominent.

The 1.65 billion yen (approximately RM43 million) C-UAS system will enhance the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RLNM) surveillance and monitoring capabilities, marking the first such project for the country under the Malaysian Defense Assistance Grant program. Malaysia and Japan have a strong bilateral relationship, with defense cooperation becoming more robust in recent years amid the shift in Tokyo's defense fundamentals.

Nordin hopes the program will continue to assist Malaysia in building its defense capabilities, especially as the country faces growing geopolitical challenges and increased maritime disputes. Malaysia has been an early beneficiary of the program since 2023, and Japan considers Malaysia an important strategic partner in maritime affairs, along with navigating the Strait of Malacca and the southern part of the South China Sea.