According to information published by Malaymail on October 31, 2023, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced the procurement of two advanced Maritime Patrol Aircrafts (MPA) from Italy, specially equipped to detect submarines in the region, with a focus on the Sabah area.
Addressing concerns about current limitations, Mohamad Hasan pointed out that the Malaysian Armed Forces’ long-range radar (LRR) at the Labuan Naval Air Base lacks submarine detection capabilities, covering only airspace monitoring with an emphasis on the increasingly ‘busy’ South China Sea.
The minister further detailed enhancements to coastal monitoring. The Radar Coastal Surveillance System (CSS) has been installed at 13 locations along the Kudat to Tawau coast, covering Sabah’s east coast. Despite recent upgrades to eight radars, five AESA SPEXER 2000 CSS radars have been deemed uneconomical for repair and slated for disposal.
Mohamad Hasan has identified the need to fill surveillance gaps in the area and plans to purchase six new gap filler radars, including five replacements and one addition. The total allocation for these acquisitions stands at RM57 million, set to be funded under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13 MP).