Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is set to develop its own combat drone under a proposed National Combat Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to strengthen the national aerospace ecosystem. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the development would be carried out using local expertise, foreign technology and cooperation with friendly nations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, during a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador, Iran expressed its willingness to explore technological cooperation in unmanned systems, a move that could help accelerate the development of Malaysia's strategic capabilities. Mohamed Khaled highlighted that this initiative aligns with the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN) which aims to reduce foreign dependence, develop local research and development, expand technology transfer, and bolster the nation's self-defence.

He further emphasised that Malaysia can no longer simply be a consumer of technology; the time has come for the country to develop, own, and innovate its own defence capacities. This sentiment underscores the strategic importance of the proposed UAS project in reinforcing Malaysia's position in the global aerospace sector.

Earlier, Mohamed Khaled received a delegation from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) led by deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ali Selamat, who presented a briefing on the proposed UAS.