Aircraft
Malaysia Again Says It Will Boost Maritime Surveillance
The country is under-invested in aircraft to patrol its troubled waters.
One of the Italian Air Force’s new ATR 72MPs in the static park at the recent LIMA show in Malaysia. (Photo: Chen Chuanren)
One of the Italian Air Force’s new ATR 72MPs in the static park at the recent LIMA show in Malaysia. (Photo: Chen Chuanren)

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has made the acquisition of maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) its “number one priority,” according to Maj. Gen. Kamalruzaman bin Othman, assistant chief of staff, operations and strategy division. Responding to the requirement, Leonardo brought one of the ATR-72MP aircraft that it recently delivered to the Italian air force to last week’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) show. However, a previous Malaysian defense minister made the same declaration four years ago, with no action taken since.