Malaysian Radar Spotlighted in New MH370 Report
Full details of failings by country’s air defense radar system again withheld from public view
Secondary surveillance radar (SSR) returns around Kuala Lumpur International Airport, from a recording shown on the AAT stand at the LIMA show. Air traffic controllers have little experience of tracking aircraft from primary radar returns. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
Secondary surveillance radar (SSR) returns around Kuala Lumpur International Airport, from a recording shown on the AAT stand at the LIMA show. Air traffic controllers have little experience of tracking aircraft from primary radar returns. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

The recent release by the Malaysian Ministry of Transport of a Factual Information report on the MH370 disappearance has provided more detail about the failure of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) air defense radar system to identify and track the errant airliner. However, the report by the Malaysian Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team does not specify the military radars involved, continuing a pattern of withholding sensitive defense information that was evident during government briefings at the time of the disappearance. According to the director-general of Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), one of the lessons learned from the MH370 incident is the need for greater coordination between military and civilian radar operators.