KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Navy will form its first drone unit in September or October and it will be based at its Sepanggar base, said a top navy official.
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Eastern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob said the new unmanned aircraft system or UAS unit is expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2020.
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“We expected to receive at least two drones from the United States which will enhance our operations especially surveillance,” Abdul Rahman said.
“We have selected 20-30 people for the unit and they will undergo training, some of them in the US.
“This is a first for the Malaysian Navy and it will be stationed at our base here in Kota Kinabalu.”
While the unit will be permanently based at Sepanggar, the drones can be operated in other areas of Sabah depending on needs, said Abdul Rahman, adding the use of military drones in Sabah is not new.
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“The Armed Forces’ Joint Task Force 2 operates a few drones during its Ops Pasir in the Esszone (Eastern Sabah Security Zone),” he said.
“Perhaps the new drones for the Navy has better technology.”
The naval commander also said Eastern Fleet will have new helicopters for their maritime operations.
“From 2020, we’ll have new helicopters bigger than the Fennec for our maritime operations,” he said referring to the Navy’s helicopter made by Airbus Helicopters.
“They will be land-based helicopters which will be acquired under a new procurement programme.”
Abdul Rahman also said all six of the Navy’s Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels will be based at Sepanggar from next year.
“Four of them have already been stationed here. This is part of the Navy and Eastern Fleet’s restructuring under the 15-to-5 Transformation Programme,” he said, referring to a project to reduce the Navy’s 15 types of ships to five.
Earlier, Abdul Rahman launched Eastern Fleet’s open-base day for the public in conjunction with the Navy’s 85th founding anniversary.
Seven ships, submarine and hostage rescue demonstrations, patrol boat ride and career fair are among the activities that line up the open day on Saturday and Sunday.
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