{
  "id": 14588199,
  "title": "Merad air defence system to be operational by mid-2030",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/merad-air-defence-system-to-be-operational-by-mid-2030",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T02:17:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1555864/merad-air-defence-system-be-operational-mid-2030"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The procurement of the Merad air defence system, which is expected to be fully operational by mid-2030, has been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin highlighted that this system will be a key component in establishing a more integrated, layered, and credible air defence system for the country. Currently, the army and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) rely on very short-range air defence (VShorad) systems, which need to be enhanced to counter increasingly complex aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. The Merad procurement falls under Phase Two of the Defence Ministry's National Defence Strategic Plan (PSPN) 2026-2030, which aims to acquire key air defence assets to counter modern threats and improve surveillance and responses to aerial threats.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}