Malaysian company Weststar Group to install and deploy the radars in Peninsular and Eastern Malaysia: Thales
To strengthen the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s air surveillance capabilities, the Malaysian government has placed an order for supply of two additional Ground Master 400 alpha (GM400α) radars to Malaysia. The order was placed to a French defence company Thales and the announcement was made during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim’s recent State Visit to France.
In a press statement, Thales says that Malaysia will operate a total of four GM400 radars, reflecting continued cooperation between the company and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The GM400α is currently in use by more than 20 countries and is capable of detecting various airborne threats within a range of 515 km.
It adds that it will work with Malaysian company Weststar Group to install and deploy the radars in Peninsular and Eastern Malaysia, based on the operational needs of the RMAF. The cooperation will also include long-term maintenance and lifecycle support, localised through Industrial Cooperation Programmes (ICPs).
Thales says that knowledge transfer and on-ground training will be part of the agreement, supporting the development of local technical expertise in radar systems.
The statement says that the GM400α radar contributes to early detection of airborne threats and supports decision-making by building an accurate Recognised Air Picture (RAP). The radar can track a range of targets, including jets, missiles, helicopters, and UAVs operating close to ground level.
French company says that over 270 Ground Master (GM) radars have been delivered globally, with the GM400α featuring GaN technology and high availability. Moreover, Malaysia was the first country to procure the GM400 radar.
The company says that the agreement supports Malaysia’s broader national priorities in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Space, and cybersecurity.
Hervé Dammann
“This award is a recognition of Thales’ unparalleled radar expertise, honed through the years and on the battlefield. We are delighted to receive this award from Prime Minister Anwar on his state visit to France to commemorate the strong bilateral relations between our two countries. As a global technology leader and with our long-standing relationship with Weststar, Thales is committed to helping Malaysia build up its national defence sector,” says Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems, Thales.