KUALA LUMPUR: The United States handed over three medium tactical transport aircraft, converted to maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA), to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) today.
The conversion programme, which began in 2018 and costs roughly US$60 million (RM282 million) under the Maritime Security Initiative, is the first major US security grant programme in Malaysia.
The handover ceremony was held at the RMAF Subang Airbase, and was attended by the US ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard D. Kagan, and RMAF chief, General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.
The conversion involves three RMAF medium tactical transport aircraft (CN-235s) into maritime surveillance platforms.
The CN-235s are now fitted with enhanced maritime surveillance radars, electro-optical infrared turrets, beyond line-of-sight communications, and roll-on/roll-off system operator stations. The aircraft are attached to No. 1 Squadron at RMAF Kuching Airbase in Sarawak.
Between 2019 and 2023, the US provided more than US$240 million in total security assistance to Malaysia.
During the ceremony, Kagan said, "With all three aircraft converted and incorporated into Malaysia's overall maritime domain awareness architecture, we know that Malaysia is better able to maintain vigilant watch over activities within its Exclusive Economic Zones, and better postured to secure the maritime environment."
US-Malaysia security cooperation includes 11 bilateral, and five multilateral defence exercises, the most Malaysia has with any country. The exercises enhance Malaysia's defence readiness, strengthen multinational relationships, and demonstrate US resolve to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.