Malaysia’s Layered Air Defence Push: MERAD & SHORAD under the 13th Malaysia Plan
Malaysia is finally moving to close a long-standing gap in its ground-based air defence. On 15 October 2026, the Defence Ministry confirmed that both the Medium-Range Air Defence (MERAD) system for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) system for the Malaysian Army have been approved under Rolling Plan 1 of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).1
MERAD is expected to reach full operational capability by mid-2030. The programme involves two batteries and has been discussed in the region of RM1.9 billion. MERAD is assigned to the RMAF; SHORAD is assigned to the Army.
Why the Urgency?
Malaysia’s current ground-based air defence remains heavily concentrated on Very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems. This leaves a clear gap against fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and drones.2
The urgency is heightened by rapid military modernisation among close neighbours:
Indonesia’s accelerated build-up
- Delivery of the first French Rafale fighter jets
- Order for 48 Turkish KAAN fifth-generation fighters
- Letter of Intent for two batteries of South Korean MSAM-II (Cheongung / KM-SAM)
- Expansion of air defence radars (25 new systems planned by 2029)
- Sharp rise in the defence budget and creation of 204 new military units
Philippine developments near Sabah
Infrastructure development on Balabac Island (approximately 50 km from northern Sabah) includes a long runway and facilities that can support rotational US military presence. Malaysian officials have linked stronger readiness in Sabah to the risk of potential spillover from South China Sea tensions.3
Comparison Chart: Key Contenders
| Feature | 🇰🇷 South Korea (LIG Nex1) |
🇪🇺 Europe (MBDA) |
🇨🇳 China (NORINCO) |
🇺🇸 / 🇳🇴 US–Norway (NASAMS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary MERAD System | KM-SAM (Cheongung II) | EMADS (CAMM-ER) | Sky Dragon 100 / HQ-16 | NASAMS |
| Typical MERAD Range | ~40–50 km | ~40–45+ km | Up to ~70 km (claimed) | ~40–50 km |
| Existing Malaysian Footprint | Strong – FA-50M + K-SAAM naval contract | Strong – Starstreak + VL MICA | Limited | Limited + politically damaged |
| Current Standing (Oct 2026) | Leading contender | Strong contender | Viable but secondary | Heavily disadvantaged |
1. South Korea – KM-SAM (Cheongung II)
Currently the strongest overall contender. LIG Nex1 already secured a USD 94 million contract at DSA 2026 for the Haegung (K-SAAM) system for the Navy’s LMS Batch 2 ships. Combined with the existing FA-50M relationship and a permanent office in Kuala Lumpur offering technology transfer, it presents the cleanest political and industrial path.
2. Europe – MBDA EMADS (CAMM-ER)
A strong continuity option. Malaysia already operates Starstreak and VL MICA. Soft vertical launch, active radar seekers and modular design are attractive. As a multi-nation company it carries lower single-country political risk.
3. United States / Norway – NASAMS
Technically excellent and combat-proven, but currently carries high political risk following Norway’s May 2026 NSM export revocation. Any system dependent on Kongsberg technology is viewed with caution.
4. China – Sky Dragon 100 / HQ-16 family
Offers competitive range and pricing. The main drawback remains integration: Chinese systems typically operate in closed architectures that do not easily connect with Malaysia’s existing European and Western radar networks.
Why Russia / Pantsir Is Not on the Realistic List
Despite its hybrid gun-and-missile design, Pantsir faces two structural barriers:
- CAATSA sanctions risk
- Banking and payment obstacles (Malaysian banks are highly reluctant to process payments linked to Russian defence entities)
It remains a non-starter under current conditions.
Closing
The approval of MERAD and SHORAD under the 13th Malaysia Plan marks a decisive shift. For years Malaysia has relied primarily on short-range systems and fighter interception. That model is no longer sufficient in a region where neighbours are rapidly expanding their air power and air defence networks.
Whether the final choice falls to South Korea’s KM-SAM or Europe’s EMADS, the strategic priority is clear: Malaysia needs a credible, integrated, medium-range layer in place by the early 2030s.
- Defence Ministry parliamentary written reply, 15 October 2026 (The Star / New Straits Times).
- Same parliamentary reply; Defence Security Asia, 16 October 2026.
- Defence Security Asia reporting on Balabac developments and Indonesian modernisation, October 2026.
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