Air Force drones log 232 flight hours in Labuan, says Defence Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: The Air Force's ANKA-S drones in Labuan have logged 232.7 flight hours, including test and training flights, but their surveillance coverage will not be disclosed, says the Defence Ministry.

The hours, recorded as of Sept 22, covered test flights, training and competency development, as well as maintenance and ground system testing, the ministry said in a written parliamentary reply to Onn Abu Bakar (PH-Batu Pahat).

"Information on the extent of surveillance coverage and the measures of effectiveness cannot be disclosed as it involves sensitive operational information and the nation's defence capability," it said.

Onn had asked about the drones' flight hours and how effective they had been in improving maritime domain awareness in the South China Sea and Sabah waters.

The ministry said the medium-altitude long-endurance drones could carry out surveillance for almost 24 hours, day and night, in various weather conditions.

The drones made their maiden flight in Malaysia at the Labuan Air Base on April 3.

Malaysia bought three ANKA-S units for RM423.8mil and plans to buy three more in a second phase, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said when launching the drones in Labuan on June 16.