Japan has signed a 1.65 billion yen grant for a counter-drone system for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The Tokyo agreement opens the first such project under Japan’s security assistance programme, which links equipment support to maritime surveillance along routes connecting the Indian Ocean and East Asia. Delivery details remain unannounced.
Japan and Malaysia signed a 1.65 billion yen grant agreement in Tokyo on 20 October to supply the Royal Malaysian Navy with a system against unmanned aircraft. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin exchanged the documents. It is the first counter-drone project under Japan’s Official Security Assistance programme.[1], [2]
Japan’s foreign ministry linked the support to the navy’s monitoring and surveillance duties. Malaysia lies along shipping routes between the Indian Ocean and East Asia, around the Strait of Malacca and the southern South China Sea. The ministry described those routes as important to Japan and the surrounding region. The grant programme supplies equipment, materials and infrastructure assistance to partner armed forces and related organisations.[1]
Khaled’s visit to Japan runs from 18 to 21 October. He said discussions covered joint exercises, technology transfer and government-to-government procurement, alongside work towards a maritime cooperation memorandum. That memorandum remains under discussion. The announced grant identifies the recipient and funding, while detailed equipment specifications and a delivery timetable have not been made public.[1]
