Malaysia activates first batch of 6 ScanEagle UAVs received from US security grant

 

ScanEagle 2 UAVs of the RMN. Photo c/o The Borneo Post.


The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has activated its first batch of ScanEagle 2 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) during ceremonies held in Sepanggar Naval Base on 06 March 2021.

The activation of the ScanEagle 2 UAS, operated by the 601 Squadron, was attended by RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sir Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, who mentioned that the operaton of the new UAS will open a new chapter in the dimension and doctrines, and pave the way for the use of UAS technology within the military in the future.

The RMN's 601 Squadron is the first squadron within the Malaysian Armed Forces to operate unmanned aerial systems, and is considered a monumental event.

The RMN was slated to receive 12 new Boeing Insitu ScanEagle 2 unmanned aerial vehicles from the US government, provided as part of their Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative Program aimed at improving the maritime capabilities of select countries through US government assistance.

The first batch of 6 ScanEagle UAVs, together with 2 launchers, 2 skyhook recovery systems, and 3 ground control stations were delivered in 2020, while another batch of the same quantity are expected to arrive in Malaysia by either late 2021 or early 2022.

The RMN plans to use these new UAVs aboard ships, but in the meantime further training would be made including flying them over land.




[1] The Borneo Post

Malaysia activates first batch of 6 ScanEagle UAVs received from US security grant Malaysia activates first batch of 6 ScanEagle UAVs received from US security grant Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on March 06, 2021 Rating: 5

No comments