RMAF must go high-tech to meet evolving threats, say experts
Chasseur Group security and defence analyst Munira Mustaffa said Malaysia could draw important lessons from conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, where a smaller force has managed to deny air superiority to a more powerful adversary.
"Air superiority is no longer about numbers. Ukraine has shown that effective, mobile ground-based air defence systems and strong electronic warfare (EW) capabilities can deny access to contested airspace," she said.
Munira was commenting on a statement by new RMAF chief Lieutenant-General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris on Thursday that the air force would adapt its long-term posture based on conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, Iran and Israel.
Under the Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), the RMAF aims to enhance relevance by shaping its war-fighting capability to ensure threats are deterred and contained.
CAP55, among others, calls for the procurement of unmanned aerial systems, airborne early warning platforms, long-range ground-based air defence radars as well as a ground-based air defence system.
Munira said the RMAF should focus on several key areas, including investing in mobile and dispersed air defence systems, enhancing joint air-ground integration, expanding offensive and defensive electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and building low-cost counter-drone systems using small, attritable platforms.
"These drones have proven to be highly effective at a fraction of the cost of conventional platforms. For a country like Malay-sia, they offer lethality at range, economy of effort, and are well suited to our defensive doctrine.
"Malaysia's current defence budget of US$4.8 billion, of which US$1.3 billion is allocated for maintenance and new procurement, means the RMAF will have to compete for limited resources across the armed services," she said.
Munira also said the RMAF must adopt a phased and cost-efficient strategy that leverages existing assets while introducing new capabilities.
"Rather than chasing expensive single-solution platforms, the RMAF should look at layered, interoperable systems.
"Upgrading current assets, tapping into dual-use technologies with the Home Ministry, and seeking regional training and procurement partnerships are all viable options," she added.
Cyber defence should be treated as the foundational priority, given the increasing dependence on autonomous and software-driven systems. "A cyberattack could compromise multiple systems, undermining both EW and drone capabilities," she said.
She added that electronic warfare should come next, as it accounts for the majority of counter-drone operations and plays a crucial role in neutralising near-term threats.
While she acknowledged the importance of conventional air power, Munira said the RMAF's future edge lied in integrating new and traditional capabilities.
"The objective is to integrate cyber, EW and drone systems into a cohesive, layered defence structure."
Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia defence expert Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Faisol Keling said the RMAF must consider the technological aspects of the current geopolitical conflicts, the influence of major powers and the role of international bodies in conflict resolution.
"With a limited budget, focus should be given to more critical sectors rather than areas that can be modified, such as management or lower-cost contracts.
"The RMAF should work with various universities and industry players to develop high-technology equipment using local expertise," he said.
"Many universities can be brought in to collaborate on developing defence assets that align with our national capabilities.
"We can look at how Indonesia is now producing its own defence products through local talent."
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