KUALA LUMPUR, 17 July 2025 – Malaysia is set to embark on a groundbreaking defence initiative with plans to develop its own locally-manufactured combat drone, signalling a new era in national defence capabilities and military innovation.

The strategic project will see a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Defence Malaysia (MINDEF), the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE).

A high-level meeting recently took place at MINDEF headquarters, attended by senior military officials, academic researchers, and defence technology experts from the involved parties. A presentation during the session prominently featured the title “Proposed Development of National Combat Drone”, underlining the government’s serious intent to move forward with this initiative.

Once realised, the locally developed combat drone is expected to significantly enhance Malaysia’s aerial surveillance, precision strike capabilities, and tactical battlefield operations. It also represents a step towards reducing reliance on foreign military technology while strengthening the domestic defence ecosystem.

This drone project supports the long-term goal of positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in defence technology, boosting both national security and the competitiveness of local defence industries on the global stage.