According to a press release published by The Borneo Post on March 4, 2021, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) launched the 601 Squadron Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) at the Sepanggar Naval Base in Sepanggar. Malasia has received 12 units of ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) from the United States government under the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), according to Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany.
“The operation of the UAS system will open a new chapter in the dimension and doctrines of our military defence and will pave the way for the use of UAS technology in our military capability in the future,” he added.
ScanEagle provides real-time data. It can increase the RMN’s ability in carrying out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in high-risk waters in Malaysia.
RMN plans to acquire more UAS ScanEagle.
The RMN first accepted the system on May 6, 2020, including six aircraft, two launchers, two skyhooks and three ground-control-station (GCS) worth RM180 million.
The ScanEagle’s average cruising speed is 89 km/h. It can reach a maximum of 150 km/h. It can fly for 22 hours, 8 minutes.
