Thales, ADS Showcase HF XL Radio In Malaysia

ADVANCED Defence Systems (ADS) in collaboration with its strategic partner Thales successfully conducted a live demonstration of its High Frequency (HF) XL Radio which was conducted at the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, highlighting its advanced communication capabilities designed to meet modern defence and security requirements.

The equipment introduced is a 400W HF XL tactical radio system, manufactured by Thales, configured as a station with ANT 308 antenna. The company intends to demonstrate the long- range communication capabilities of this next-generation HF XL tactical radio, of which 113 units are set to be adopted by the Malaysian Army. This radio system is capable of securely transmitting data and supporting live video streaming while delivering data rates of up to 10 times higher than conventional HF systems, ensuring resilient long-range communications of up to 10,000km in addition to jamming resilience.

The demonstration showcased the HF XL Radio’s long-range communication performance, reliability in challenging environments and secure data transmission features. The system is engineered to support beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, making it an essential solution for military operations, disaster response and remote connectivity.

The demonstration was carried out across three locations with one 400W HF XL radio in Kuala Lumpur and in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah while one unit of 125W HF XL was in Lumut, Perak. The live demonstration was broadcast between the three locations. During the session, attendees were given a comprehensive overview of the radio’s key features, including its robust design, ease of deployment and adaptability to various operational scenarios. The Thales HF XL Radio demonstrated stable voice and data communication across extended distances, even in demanding terrain and adverse weather conditions.

“This joint demonstration showcases Thales’ expertise in tactical radio communications in Malaysia, dating back over 30 years. We are grateful for the support of a strong partner like ADS and the trust in our technologies from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF)”, said Thales Malaysia and Brunei Managing Director Florian Riou.

“The HF XL radio demonstration marks the first of its kind in the region, showcasing this advanced new technology. It also serves as a reliable backup to satellite communications, ensuring continuous and resilient connectivity in critical operations”, said ADS’ Director of Business Development Shane Chin. 

The Malaysian Army awarded Thales a contract in September 2025 for 113 units of the HF XL radio in vehicle-mounted configuration including radios, amplifiers, and antennas. With that, Malaysia becomes the system’s first export customer and first country in Asia to procure it.

This solution provides the full advantages of HF, including secure transmissions, low operating costs and long-range coverage in remote areas or environments poorly served by satellite. It enhances resilience against jamming and enables the transfer of large data files such as images and video streaming. 

Thales’ HF XL radios will be fully interoperable with existing radios in the Army’s inventory, the complete range of TRC 3900 HF XL radio stations also includes 20W manpack solutions for long-range mobile autonomous force needs up to 1000km, as well as 400 W & 1KW radio solutions, that enable deployed command posts to communicate with command headquarters and  with other units in remote areas of the theatre of operations, over distances of up to 5,000km.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:THALES, ADJ)