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Malaysia to Enhance Surveillance Capabilities with Advanced Polish FlyEye Aerial Drones.
On December 12, 2024, the Malaysian Armed Forces officially received their first delivery of FlyEye unmanned aerial systems (UAS), manufactured by the Polish WB Group. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Malaysia's efforts to enhance its reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. The delivery followed intensive training of Malaysian personnel at WB Group’s facilities in Silesia, Poland. Already widely used by the Polish Armed Forces, including the Special Forces and Territorial Defense Forces, the FlyEye is also employed by several foreign militaries, most notably in Ukraine.

Polish WB Group FlyEye Surveillance Drone (Picture source: WB Group)
The FlyEye is a lightweight tactical drone designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and signal relay missions. Weighing approximately 12 kilograms, it can be easily transported in two backpacks, making it ideal for operations in challenging terrains. The drone requires no additional equipment for deployment: it is launched manually and lands using a combination of a parachute and gliding flight, minimizing the risk of damage. Equipped with a mobile observation head featuring day/night and thermal cameras, it provides optimal surveillance capabilities in all conditions. Additionally, the FlyEye can be fitted with a PERAD radio relay module, extending ground forces' communication range to up to 100 kilometers. A standout feature of the FlyEye is its compatibility with WB Group’s TOPAZ combat management system, which integrates reconnaissance data to streamline artillery fire coordination and ground operations. While not armed itself, the FlyEye plays a crucial role in target acquisition and identification for artillery systems like the Polish Army’s WR-40 Langusta multiple rocket launchers and Krab howitzers, enhancing the precision of strikes.
The interoperability of the FlyEye with WB Group’s TOPAZ combat management system significantly boosts its battlefield effectiveness. Widely integrated into the Polish Rocket and Artillery Forces, the TOPAZ system facilitates real-time sharing of reconnaissance data, improving situational awareness and decision-making for military commanders. Moreover, the FlyEye operates with a silent electric motor, allowing it to glide through most of its mission, greatly reducing its detectability by enemy forces. This feature, combined with its robustness and minimal logistical footprint, makes it a reliable and discreet reconnaissance tool.
The FlyEye’s success has been demonstrated over the years, and in March 2024, WB Group announced the delivery of its 1,000th FlyEye system, underscoring its reliability and growing global adoption. First deployed by Polish Special Forces in 2010, the FlyEye quickly became an essential tool for the Polish Territorial Defense Forces and other branches of the country's armed forces. Since 2015, Ukraine has utilized the FlyEye for reconnaissance and observation missions, where it has proven effective in demanding operational conditions. In 2019, Lithuania incorporated the system into its armed forces as part of efforts to modernize its surveillance capabilities, followed by countries like Hungary and several other Eastern European partners.
Other international users, including those in the Middle East and Central Asia, have also adopted the FlyEye, drawn by its proven performance, exceptional portability, and ability to integrate with the TOPAZ combat management system. Its modular design, simplified manual launch, and secure parachute landing have established the FlyEye as an advanced, reliable, and discreet reconnaissance solution tailored to the needs of modern armed forces in diverse tactical environments.
The integration of FlyEye drones into the Malaysian Armed Forces reflects a strategic effort to modernize their defense systems and enhance surveillance capabilities. WB Group’s proven success, marked by the recent delivery of its 1,000th FlyEye system, highlights its leadership in the unmanned systems sector. With this acquisition, Malaysia joins a growing number of countries relying on the FlyEye to bolster operational effectiveness, demonstrating their commitment to adopting advanced defense technologies to meet contemporary security challenges.
The FlyEye is a lightweight tactical drone developed by Flytronic, a subsidiary of the Polish WB Group, a major European player in the unmanned systems and electronic defense solutions sector. Development began around 2007, as Poland sought to modernize its reconnaissance capabilities to meet the growing needs of its armed forces. The WB Group aimed to design a compact, easily transportable, and deployable drone while providing advanced real-time surveillance capabilities. The first version of the FlyEye was adopted by Polish Special Forces in 2010, valued for its modular design, compactness, and manual launch, which were particularly suited for tactical missions requiring speed and discretion.
By 2015, the FlyEye was exported to Ukraine, where it has been used in reconnaissance missions amidst ongoing conflict. This operational experience allowed WB Group to introduce several improvements, enhancing the drone’s durability and stealth. In 2018, the FlyEye 3.x version was launched, marking a significant technological advancement. This iteration features extended range, a quieter electric motor, and interoperability with WB Group’s TOPAZ combat management system. This integration improves effectiveness in artillery and tactical coordination operations by enabling real-time data exchange.
The FlyEye’s success has continued to grow, and in March 2024, WB Group announced the delivery of its 1,000th FlyEye system, demonstrating its reliability and international success. In addition to equipping the Polish Armed Forces, including the Territorial Defense Forces, the drone is now used by other European and Asian countries. Malaysia, for example, recently integrated the FlyEye into its armed forces in December 2023.
The FlyEye stands out for several innovative technical features. Transportable in two backpacks, it requires no additional equipment for launch, which is manual, or for landing, achieved via a parachute combined with gliding flight. Its modularity allows it to be equipped with various sensors, such as day/night cameras or radios for signal relay, extending communication capabilities to 100 kilometers. Finally, its silent electric motor and ability to glide significantly reduce its acoustic and thermal signature, enhancing its battlefield stealth. Since its launch in 2007, the FlyEye has become a proven, versatile tool capable of meeting the demands of modern armed forces in complex operational environments.