The Malaysian Ministry of Defense has issued an international tender to supply three unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and two maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). The announcement made was in line with the country’s defense plan to procure a total of six UAS and four MPA for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) between 2021 and 2025.
According to the official government portal, the interested parties may submit bids by 26 November 2020 for the supply, delivery and commissioning of three units of unmanned aerial system category medium altitude long endurance (MALE) Phase 1. While on the supply, delivery and commissioning of two units of MPA Phase 1, companies may submit the proposal by 3 December 2020.
It was anticipated that several global companies will be keen to take part in the UAS tender process such as General Atomics from the US with its MQ-9 Reaper, China’s Aviation Industry Corporation with its Wing Loong family of systems, Italy’s Leonardo with the Falco and Turkish Aerospace Industries’ Anka series. Potential companies expected to participate in the bids for the MPA include Leonardo’s ATR 72MP, Airbus’ C-295, PTDI’s CN-235, Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon and Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ P-1.
(Sources: Ministry of Defense Malaysia, Defense News)
