Japan Provides Surveillance Drones to Malaysia's Military

Malaysian and Japanese officials said on Monday that as part of Japan's security assistance program, the Malaysian military has received some surveillance drones from Japan to enhance the Southeast Asian country's maritime situational awareness.

Under the "Government Security Capability Enhancement Support" (OSA) framework launched by Japan in 2023, which aims to provide defense equipment to like-minded countries. According to a report by Kyodo News, several of the 14 Japanese-made drones that Japan is providing to Malaysia have already arrived in Malaysia, and the Malaysian military plans to deploy these drones to areas facing the South China Sea.

Malaysia is one of the first four recipient countries designated by Japan under this framework. Along with Vietnam and the Philippines, Malaysia, which is adjacent to the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.

On the same day, Ambassador Shoji Yonemori of Japan to Malaysia stated at a ceremony held at the Malaysian Ministry of Defense that Japan must "create an international environment based on the rule of law that is peaceful, stable, and highly predictable through measures such as strengthening the security and deterrent capabilities of like-minded countries."

Malaysian Defense Minister Khalid Abdullah mentioned that his country and other Southeast Asian countries face "challenges" in the South China Sea, and said, "With enhanced capabilities, the region will maintain peace and security and be able to cope with challenges."

Khalid Abdullah confirmed that the Malaysian Army will receive six Japanese-provided drones, and the Royal Malaysian Navy will receive another six. Additionally, two drones have been allocated to the Malaysian Armed Forces' Cyber and Electronic Department for special missions.

This aid package worth 400 million yen (approximately 2.7 million U.S. dollars) also includes seven rescue ships. This aid package was agreed upon by former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the latter's visit to Tokyo in December 2023.

Source: rfi

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843990255054922/

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