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Ukraine Could Open Its Drone Export Market to Malaysia for First Time.
On November 2, 2024, Ukraine identified Malaysia as a strategic partner for enhancing collaborations in the drone sector in Southeast Asia. This announcement was made during the visit of Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Economy Minister, to Malaysia, where he co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Liew Chin Tong.
Ukrainian Shark Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Picture source: UkrSpecSystems)
During the visit, Kachka highlighted Malaysia’s importance as a gateway to ASEAN markets for Ukraine’s drone technologies. The Deputy Minister emphasized Malaysia's advanced position in terms of digital infrastructure, semiconductor spare parts supply, and skilled labor, which are crucial for supporting the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector. “Malaysia is the most advanced country in ASEAN regarding technological infrastructure, and its strong digital economy makes it an ideal partner for our regional collaboration ambitions,” Kachka stated.
Military relations between Malaysia and Ukraine have strengthened in recent years, notably through technical collaborations and expertise exchanges in defense. Ukraine, with extensive experience in drone and armored vehicle technology, views Malaysia as a strategic partner in Southeast Asia. Recently, the two countries have begun discussions to enhance cooperation on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with a focus on civil and military surveillance applications suited to Malaysia’s specific challenges, particularly in dense jungle areas that are hard to access. Furthermore, Malaysia has shown interest in Ukrainian defense technologies, drawn to innovations developed in response to recent conflicts. This partnership promises to evolve towards deeper cooperation, with Malaysia seeking to diversify its defense alliances and modernize its national security capabilities.
To date, Malaysia and Ukraine have not developed any specific drones jointly. However, recent discussions between the two nations have highlighted a mutual interest in collaboration in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) field. During his visit to Malaysia from October 31 to November 2, 2024, Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Economy Minister, emphasized Malaysia’s role as a strategic partner for expanding Ukrainian drone technologies in Southeast Asia. He underscored Ukraine’s expertise in developing drones for both civilian and military purposes, as well as Malaysia’s capabilities in infrastructure and skilled labor. Although discussions are ongoing between companies from both countries, no concrete joint drone development project has been officially announced at this time.
Malaysia has intensified its drone development efforts with local companies such as Aerodyne Group and DefTech (DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies), which focus on solutions tailored to the country's specific needs, including surveillance, agriculture, and disaster management. Aerodyne Group, a global leader in drone services and analytics based in Kuala Lumpur, develops drones equipped with advanced technologies for long-duration surveillance missions, designed to operate in the region’s tropical conditions. DefTech, on the other hand, specializes in drones for military and security applications, including border surveillance and combating illegal activities in dense jungle areas. These drones, like the DT UAV developed by DefTech, enable real-time detection and tracking operations. The Malaysian government actively supports innovation in the UAV sector by fostering partnerships between these local companies and foreign actors, aiming to position Malaysia as a technological hub for drones in Southeast Asia.
Kachka highlighted the rapid development of UAVs in Ukraine, where their use extends from defense to civilian applications, notably in agriculture. “The development of UAVs in Ukraine is naturally linked to defense and security, but their usage has also expanded to civilian purposes like agriculture. Currently, UAV usage in Ukraine is so intensive that it mobilizes all engineering resources... which is why Ukrainian expertise is applied in Malaysia,” he explained at a press conference. This increased demand in Ukraine has enabled the accumulation of significant expertise, which the country now seeks to leverage in international markets such as Malaysia.
Ukraine has demonstrated an impressive capacity to develop and export drones despite the wartime context. Thanks to growing expertise and rapid innovation in drone technologies, Ukraine has been able to diversify applications to include surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack missions, used both on the battlefield and for export. Although Ukrainian legislation is strictly regulated regarding the export of sensitive military technologies, the government has relaxed certain restrictions to promote international partnerships and respond to the growing demand for its drones. This adaptive legislative framework allows Ukraine to support its defense industry while ensuring rigorous export control. The experience gained in conflict situations has also helped boost the competitiveness of Ukrainian drones, which are now sought after by several countries for their proven performance in wartime conditions.
The Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, specified that Malaysian companies are primarily interested in surveillance drones, which are particularly useful for border control operations in dense jungle areas where human patrolling remains difficult. Mykhailiuk emphasized that these are not military attack drones but surveillance devices. “We are not talking about attack drones, but rather surveillance drones adapted to local needs,” he stated, adding that discussions are already underway between Ukrainian and Malaysian companies to assess concrete opportunities.
Surveillance drones are of particular interest to Malaysia, which is seeking solutions adapted to the challenges of border control in its dense jungle regions. This specific need directs the interest of Malaysian companies toward drones capable of conducting reconnaissance operations over vast and hard-to-access areas. Ukrainian drone models, such as the PD-2 and the Shark UAV, are well-suited to these needs due to their extended autonomy and ability to operate in demanding environments. These devices are equipped with high-definition cameras and advanced sensors, enabling continuous and precise surveillance. The PD-2, in particular, is known for its long-range detection performance and real-time data transmission capabilities—key features for monitoring difficult areas where human patrols are limited. These unarmed surveillance drone models align with Malaysia's priorities to enhance border security while avoiding military attack devices. Discussions between Ukrainian and Malaysian companies are underway to explore the potential of these systems in local security operations.