LABUAN, June 17 — The operation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) ANKA-S Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) marks a strategic leap in strengthening the nation’s defence and maritime surveillance capabilities, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

He said the asset is capable of providing operational coverage previously unavailable, particularly in strategic maritime areas including the South China Sea, giving Malaysia a critical information advantage in safeguarding national security and sovereignty.

“The operation of the ANKA-S aircraft represents a strategic leap in terms of our country’s defence and maritime surveillance.

“It provides operational coverage that has never existed before in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions, giving Malaysia a critical information advantage that can assist us in formulating national security policies,” he told reporters after officiating the launch of the ANKA-S Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS asset of No 11 Squadron at the RMAF Labuan Air Base here yesterday.

Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of Air Force Gen Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris and Joint Forces Commander Lt Gen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim were also present at the launch.

Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia acquired three ANKA-S aircraft at a cost of RM423.8 million, including ground control stations and two years of personnel training.

He said the ANKA-S is capable of flying for more than 24 hours at operational altitudes of up to 30,000 feet, and its deployment at the Labuan Air Base is intended to strengthen surveillance in the South China Sea.

“In short, with the ANKA-S, the RMAF can maintain the nation’s eyes and ears as it is capable of conducting continuous operations, operating in positions that may be difficult to detect and under all weather conditions,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled added that the asset is capable of accurately identifying and tracking vessel profiles, enabling the RMAF to plan and deploy assets more efficiently to intrusion locations without the need for unfocused patrols.