Malaysia Enhances Long Range Air Surveillance with Two Additional GM400 Alpha Radars.

According to information published by Thales on July 7, 2025, during the state visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim to France, the French group officially received a Letter of Award for the delivery of two additional Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radars. This order brings the total number of GM400 radars deployed in Malaysia to four and aims to strengthen the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) air surveillance capabilities across both Peninsular and East Malaysia.
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The GM400 Alpha, known for its mobility, precision, and durability, is currently in use by over 20 countries. (Picture source: Thales)

This decision follows an initial procurement made in December 2023. The first GM400α was acquired to monitor the airspace above Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, from the strategic site of Bintulu in the state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The Letter of Award was handed over to Thales on July 4 during the Prime Minister’s official visit. Thales had previously delivered a GM400 radar to Malaysia in 2009, which remains operational, and another GM400α is currently being deployed, with operational readiness expected in 2026.

The GM400 Alpha, known for its mobility, precision, and durability, is currently in use by over 20 countries. It can detect a wide range of threats, from fighter jets and missiles to hovering helicopters and low-flying drones. The radar offers an instrumented range of 515 kilometers and supports the creation of a reliable and up-to-date recognized air picture, which is essential in an environment marked by rapidly evolving aerial threats.

Thales intends to reinforce its local industrial cooperation by partnering with Malaysian company Weststar Group for the installation and integration of the radars, tailored to the terrain and operational requirements of the RMAF. This industrial partnership will be supported by a knowledge transfer program that includes training, maintenance, and long-term support. Thales, present in Malaysia for over 40 years, aims to support the development of national radar defense capabilities while contributing to the country’s strategic goals in artificial intelligence, space, and cybersecurity.

Technically, the GM400 Alpha offers five times the processing power of its predecessor, rapid system updates, multi-target detection in cluttered environments, and high resilience against electronic jamming and cyberattacks. Built on gallium nitride (GaN) radar technology, it is designed for seamless integration with existing systems and future scalability. Thales reports that over 270 Ground Master radars have been delivered worldwide, all with proven operational performance.

In parallel with this radar development, high-level discussions were held between France and Malaysia to enhance military cooperation, particularly in the naval sector. Following a meeting between French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and his Malaysian counterpart Mohamed Khaled Nordin, both countries expressed a shared intention to deepen strategic ties between their armed forces. The Royal Malaysian Navy currently operates two Scorpène-class submarines and is set to receive five Gowind-class corvettes, built locally through an industrial partnership with Naval Group.

According to a statement from the Malaysian Ministry of Defence published on the social network X, ongoing plans aim to strengthen the local defense industry through the acquisition of "strategic assets" and the implementation of technological development initiatives. These efforts are intended to ensure a high level of operational readiness while advancing Malaysia’s strategic autonomy through long-term industrial cooperation.