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New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
NADI embraces next-gen defence assets
LANGKAWI: National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI) and its subsidiaries wrapped up a strong showing at Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25). NADI cemented its position in Malaysia's defence and aerospace sectors with the signing of more than 40 agreements. Its group president, Datuk Edron Hayata Ahmad, said NADI's priority was to highlight local capabilities in looking towards the future. "Aircraft and defence technology is constantly evolving, and NADI must embrace digitalisation to stay ahead. "We are preparing ourselves for the next generation of defence assets, and that's why our theme this year is digitalisation," he told the New Straits Times. Edron said NADI has been participating in Lima for quite some time and that the group's presence reflects the commitment to supporting the national defence industry, the assets it relies on, the end users and the government as a whole. "We are deeply invested in Lima and while the returns are sometimes hard to quantify, the benefits, both tangible and intangible, are significant. "We're proud to represent Malaysian industry and to serve as one of the flagbearers of the nation's aerospace and defence sectors, both to the public and to delegates attending the exhibition." NADI's foothold at the exhibition is also aligned with the clarion call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Lima '25's reception dinner, calling on participants to use the exhibition as a platform to learn, share and witness the latest advancements in defence and security technology. Anwar had said this as Lima had evolved into one of the world's foremost exhibitions in the defence, maritime and aerospace sectors, especially in light of rapid developments in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Among NADI Group's impactful signings were a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between Airod Sdn Bhd and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to explore collaboration opportunities for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's FA-50M light combat aircraft. The agreement enables both parties to evaluate business prospects involving the FA-50M fleet, including its engines and installed systems. This is in line with Malaysia's aim to localise defence support services for cost-efficiency and operational readiness. Airod said the NDA allows for the exchange of proprietary information to identify mutual areas of interest. It positions the company to potentially become a key MRO partner for the FA-50M, further strengthening its longstanding support for RMAF aircraft. NADI, through its subsidiary Airod Techno Power Sdn Bhd, also entered into a strategic collaboration with Ghost Robotics Corporation, a United States-based firm renowned for its cutting-edge quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGV), to advance defence robotics capabilities in Malaysia. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) focuses on developing and integrating Ghost Robotics' autonomous platforms into Malaysia's defence, homeland security and enterprise operations. This includes deploying advanced sensors, AI software and real-time communication systems for situational awareness. Airod Techno Power said the partnership aims to push Malaysia to the forefront of defence robotics by blending high-performance mechanical systems with innovative digital technologies. The initiative reflects the group's broader commitment to digitalisation and emerging tech. It also saw SME Ordnance Sdn Bhd and Wilayah Arms Sdn Bhd formalise a RM4.19 million supply agreement for 4.76 million rounds of 9mm ammunition, supporting both defence and civilian law enforcement training and operational needs. The agreement involves staggered deliveries over 12 months and signals a boost for the local defence manufacturing base. It also ensures greater supply chain reliability by reducing dependence on foreign procurement channels. NADI, through Airod, also signed a MoU with Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia aimed at collaborating on aircraft structural integrity (ASI) research, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance and advanced aerospace diagnostics. The partnership combines UPNM's academic and engineering expertise with Airod's industry experience to jointly develop next-generation aircraft monitoring systems. It also aims to enhance national defence readiness through homegrown innovations in aerospace technology and AI applications.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
NADI advances Malaysia's defence ambitions
KUALA LUMPUR: National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI) is positioning itself as a national champion and regional leader in defence technology to strengthen Malaysia's sovereign capabilities through innovation, partnerships, and talent development. Its group president Datuk Edron Hayata Ahmad said NADI, originally established in 1983 as Aerospace Industries Malaysia (AIM), has evolved into a strategic partner for the government. The company's activities now span aerospace manufacturing, systems integration, and indigenous technology development. "This mirrors Malaysia's broader defence transformation, shifting from reliance on imports to building sovereign capabilities," he said. NADI's current mission is to act as a catalyst for national defence readiness, aligned with the Defence White Paper and the push for self-reliance. "We aim to reduce external dependency by investing in indigenous research and development, workforce development, and critical technologies, ensuring Malaysia can defend its interests with locally sustained capabilities," he said. Edron said the company is actively investing in advanced manufacturing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics, mission-critical systems, and obsolescence management. "NADI has partnered with local universities and global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to co-develop intellectual property within Malaysia. "Our subsidiaries are producing solutions for fighter jets and transport aircraft. We are driving programmes to transition Malaysia from a service-based defence industry to one that assembles, manufactures, designs, and engineers its own capabilities," he said. Among NADI's key initiatives includes its subsidiary Airod, which leads aircraft upgrade and life-extension programmes for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and international clients. "ATSC's aircraft Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), developed in-house and in collaboration with the RMAF and local firms, exemplifies our engineering capabilities," he said. Another subsidiary, SME Aerospace (SMEA), delivers around two million aerospace parts annually and co-produces structural components for global OEMs. NADI is also engaged in joint ventures focused on regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hubs, and technology transfer agreements to enhance Malaysia's export potential and regional supply chain integration. A key partnership was with France's Satys, aimed at enhancing Airod Subang's aviation painting capabilities to serve future aircraft for both military and commercial sectors. In the area of unmanned systems, Edron said NADI is collaborating with US-based Ghost Robotics on its quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle (QUGV), the Vision 60, and with Korea's Nearthlab to explore AI capabilities for defence drones. "These collaborations with proven global OEMs are being brought into Malaysia and will be featured at the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima '25)," he said. Beyond engineering, NADI also supports the armed forces and national security agencies with end-to-end lifecycle services, including spare parts, inventory management, upgrades, and round-the-clock technical support. "We manage logistics for strategic assets and ensure mission readiness with rapid deployment of maintenance teams, especially in remote operational theatres," he said. To cultivate a future-ready defence workforce, NADI works with the Aviation Design Centre (ADC) and local universities to provide accredited technical training and specialised aerospace programmes. "These initiatives prepare job-ready graduates and offer upskilling pathways for current personnel. We're building a talent pipeline that supports both present defence needs and future innovation," he said. NADI is also reinforcing export readiness through certified standards, strategic alliances, and proprietary technologies. Edron said NADI's branding is built on reliability, sovereign capacity, and cost-effective innovation. This, he said as NADI has an active presence in global defence exhibitions and industry associations to attract contracts and technology transfers. Edron added that NADI is also a founding member of the Coalition of Defence Industry (CDI), a platform for capability-building among local defence players. "Our long-term vision is to build a vertically integrated, innovation-driven enterprise that supports Malaysia's defence autonomy and contributes to economic resilience through high-value exports. NADI aspires to be the cornerstone of a future-proof, sovereign defence ecosystem," he said.
