LABUAN AIR BASE STRENGTHENED BY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES, UAV DEPLOYMENT - KHALED NORDIN

LABUAN, March 29 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Labuan Air Base is being strengthened by the deployment of three unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the ANKA UAV system, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, will enhance surveillance capabilities over national waters while the base’s infrastructure is being be improved to enhance operational readiness and personnel welfare.

“From a tactical perspective, the ANKA system (developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries) serves as a continuous strategic monitoring asset in the Eastern Region. 

“Its presence strengthens the RMAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in monitoring airspace and maritime security, ensuring national sovereignty is safeguarded at the highest level of readiness,” he said during a working visit to the RMAF Labuan Air Base in Membedai today.

He said the UAVs can operate continuously for over 20 hours without interruption, a task that was impossible for conventional aircraft, adding that there the number of UAVs might be increased from the present three units in the future.

Khaled also said that the work on replacing the base’s damaged asphalt dispersal structures with more durable Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) at No. 14 Squadron of the base, costing RM22.5 million, has reached 51.77 per cent physical progress.

“In addition, the base’s Rumah Keluarga Angkatan Tentera (RKAT) project, costing RM57.3 million, involves the construction of multiple classes of quarters, including Class E and Class G blocks, as well as supporting facilities,” he said, adding that both projects would be completed between April and July.

He stressed that the deployment of the UAV systems, along with the base’s infrastructure upgrades would allow the base to continue playing a critical role as Malaysia’s primary air force base in the eastern region, amid evolving security challenges in the South China Sea.

-- BERNAMA