22-05-2025
Navy buys US unmanned surface vehicle to boost maritime defence
LANGKAWI: The navy has received a Swift Sea Stalker (S3) unmanned surface vehicle (USV) from Los Angeles-based Swiftships to bolster capabilities in maritime defence.
In a statement, the navy announced that the S3 USV, dubbed a 'surface uncrewed platform', will enhance maritime warfare capabilities in its surveillance and intelligence activities.
"This platform can be equipped with weaponry that increases deterrence in maritime warfare," the statement read.
"The reception of the S3 opens new opportunities for the Royal Malaysian Navy to explore uncrewed platforms, which can also support the vision of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), especially in the Future Force Development Plan," it added.
The symbolic handover ceremony took place at the navy's pavilion at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), represented by the Chief of Navy Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain while Swiftships was represented by its executive vice president Kristina Paskeviciute.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and attended by the ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
According to the statement, the navy has already begun operating uncrewed platforms with the establishment of Squadron 601, which uses unmanned aerial system (UAS) ScanEagle assets as a force multiplier in maritime operations.
Swiftships is a ship construction and marine engineering company based in Los Angeles and operates globally. - Bernama
