More Thales GM400 Alpha Radars For Malaysia
THALES’ commitment to Malaysian defence is once again recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces. With a steady economic growth outlook, the Malaysian government is keen to advance the country’s military modernisation and Thales remains at the forefront of this, with Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and Letter of Award (LoA) received for equipment ranging from radars to radios.
I. Two additional GM400 Alpha long-range radars for superior situational air awareness
To strengthen the air surveillance and air defence capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Thales received a MoU for two additional long-range air surveillance GM400 Alpha radars, in a signing ceremony held on May 22. The agreement was signed between Thales Malaysia country director Francois-Xavier Boutes, and Ministry of Defence secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali, witnessed by Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled Nordin. The award of these two additional radars underscores the trust held by the RMAF in Thales’ radar technology, following the first GM400 Alpha contract signed at the end of 2023. Thanks to its high mobility, high availability, easy upgradeability and seamless integration, the GM400 Alpha offers armed forces a valuable tool to gain tactical advantage, detecting all types of threats early and providing precious minutes for decision-making and action (515km range). Today more than 270 Ground Master field-proven family air surveillance radars have been sold worldwide.
In Malaysia, Thales will partner with local partner Weststar Group, to deploy the radars in line with the operational requirements of the RMAF. Thales will also engage in Transfer of Knowledge and Train-the-Trainer courses delivered under the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), while strengthening its installed base in Malaysia for long-range surveillance radars. By building local expertise, Thales will enhance the efficiency of radar maintenance, enhance the autonomy of the RMAF and ensure timely on-ground maintenance support close to the end-users. Thales’ radar expertise in Malaysia runs deep, as the country was also the launch customer for the precursor GM400 radar in 2009, which Thales is currently upgrading to Alpha mode.
II. Enhancing tactical and radio communications for Malaysia
To further deepen its expertise in radio and tactical communications, Thales has also signed an MoU with local partner ADS. Signed on the second day of LIMA’25 between ADS chairman Hadi Abdul Razak and Thales Asia vice-president Nicolas Bouverot, the collaboration will see both parties working on the latest digital technologies for handheld radios and other tactical communications.
III. A helicopter training simulator marks a first contract with Royal Malaysian Police (RMP)
Thales International CEO Pascale Sourisse witnessed the signing of an LoA, together with local Malaysian partner Novatis Resources to deliver a Reality-H AW139 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) to be used for pilot training with the RMP. The Thales Reality H Full Flight Simulator is the world’s most advanced commercial helicopter simulator, and will be qualified to meet Level D standard, the highest level of qualification for a simulator. This marks a first engagement with the RMP, where pilots of the Police Air Wing Training Academy and other government agencies including the fire brigade and coast guard can benefit from realistic and immersive training, customised to the Malaysian environment and terrain. The simulator is anticipated to be delivered in mid-2027.
“These latest contracts are recognition of how Thales’s solutions are supporting the needs of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence and its various forces. Our air surveillance radars are bringing air superiority to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in some of the most challenging tropical environments. In addition, our history in tactical radio communications dates back several decades in Malaysia and looks set to continue as we collaborate with strong local partners to develop home-grown expertise and joint solutions to support the Army. Malaysia is on an upward trajectory to strengthen its defence capabilities, and we appreciate the renewed trust in Thales to help drive the modernisation of its armed forces in this era of stability and growth,” said Sourisse.