China to build UAV facility in Malaysia producing 3,000 drones annually.

As reported by Lowyat.net on September 11, 2024, Malaysia will collaborate with China to establish an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing facility in Malaysia. The facility is planned to be operational by 2025 and is expected to have a production capacity of around 3,000 UAVs annually. The agreement, signed between MARA Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd and Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies, involves an investment of RM100 million (approximately $23.12 million), according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
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In the first phase, Honeycomb Aerospace will set up a UAV assembly plant at the UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology campus in Sepang by October, with an expected production capacity of around 3,000 UAVs once fully operational. (Picture source: Honeycomb Aerospace)

The partnership between MARA Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd and China’s Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise and promote the local development of UAV technology. Zahid noted that this cooperation could provide significant opportunities for Malaysia's UAV industry and its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector.

An essential element of the partnership is the transfer of technology from China, which is expected to benefit Malaysian TVET students, particularly those at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Zahid stated that the skills and knowledge gained through this collaboration could enable students to build UAVs, potentially enhancing their capabilities in the growing field of UAVs.

The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MARA Aerospace & Technologies and Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies, includes a commitment from Honeycomb Aerospace to invest RM100 million (approximately $23.12 million) to establish a UAV manufacturing facility in Malaysia. The facility is planned to become operational in 2025. In the first phase, Honeycomb Aerospace will set up a UAV assembly plant at the UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology campus in Sepang by October, with an expected production capacity of around 3,000 UAVs once fully operational.

Zahid explained that Honeycomb Aerospace’s decision to invest in Malaysia was driven by strong domestic and regional demand for UAVs. He mentioned that these UAVs could serve various purposes, such as enhancing border security with their ability to monitor areas within a 300-kilometer radius. Additionally, the UAVs could have applications in the agricultural sector, including tasks like seed planting and fertilization.

Honeycomb's portfolio extends to unmanned helicopters, such as the HC-245 and HC-235 models, which are used for a range of activities including aerial mapping, agriculture and forestry operations, maritime patrol, and military applications. (Picture source: Honeycomb Aerospace)

China’s Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies offers a range of UAV products designed for different applications. The company's multi-rotor UAVs include the HC-332E, designed for long endurance and efficiency, and the HC-342E, equipped for nuclear radiation monitoring. In the fixed-wing UAV category, Honeycomb Aerospace offers models like the HC-141, which has multiple task development capabilities, and the HC-140, known for high aerodynamic efficiency and easy assembly.

The company also provides vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs, including the HC-525, intended for forest inspections, and the HC-541, designed for emergency communication purposes. Their portfolio extends to unmanned helicopters, such as the HC-245 and HC-235 models, which are used for a range of activities including material delivery, aerial mapping, security supervision, scientific experiments, agriculture and forestry operations, disaster monitoring, maritime patrol, and military applications. These UAVs are designed to operate in challenging environments, such as low-altitude areas in mountainous regions and over sea surfaces, with features that enable beyond visual range operations and relay capabilities.

Honeycomb Aerospace also offers specialized systems, including a smart UAV command vehicle for aerial monitoring and a management platform, the HC-SMART, which functions as an intelligent drone control system. The company's broad range of UAV products and systems reflects its focus on diverse applications, from security and agriculture to disaster response and scientific research.