PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia and Australia have expanded their maritime security cooperation with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) technology.
The agreement is aimed at supporting the development of maritime surveillance and monitoring capabilities through the use of unmanned aircraft, as well as greater sharing of technical expertise and operational experience between the two countries.
The MoU was signed at the Seri Samudera Auditorium at the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) headquarters in Putrajaya on 7 September.
MMEA Director-General Admiral Datuk Haji Mohd Rosli bin Abdullah represented Malaysia, while Australia was represented by Sean Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
The agreement marks the second MoU involving MMEA and the Australian Government. It follows an MoU on maritime enforcement cooperation signed on 28 November 2025, with Australia represented by the Maritime Border Command under the Australian Border Force.
The latest agreement focuses on the potential application of RPAS technology to maritime monitoring and enforcement. Such systems can provide aerial surveillance support and extend the area that can be observed by existing maritime assets and personnel.
Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli said the agreement demonstrated MMEA’s efforts to keep pace with technological developments as it works to strengthen its capabilities in protecting the security, peace and sovereignty of Malaysian waters.
“The use of RPAS technology has the potential to be an important element in expanding maritime monitoring and surveillance capabilities, especially in vast and challenging waters,” he said.
He added that cooperation with Australia would provide opportunities for both sides to exchange expertise, operational experience and approaches to developing a capability that is practical, safe and suited to Malaysia’s operational requirements.
Malaysia’s extensive maritime area presents a range of enforcement and security challenges, including cross-border crime, incursions, smuggling and other illegal activities at sea.
Against this backdrop, RPAS systems are being considered as an additional capability that could complement existing vessels, aircraft and personnel. Expanded aerial observation could support the collection of information and provide operational teams with additional data when assessing situations at sea.
The cooperation is also intended to combine Australia’s experience in drone technology with Malaysia’s knowledge of local maritime conditions and enforcement requirements.
The two countries are expected to work towards ensuring that any technology developed under the framework can be incorporated into MMEA operations in a safe and effective manner.
The Malaysian delegation at the ceremony included MMEA Deputy Director-General (Logistics) Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan bin Ibrahim.
Also in attendance was the Director-General of the Department of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Datin Paduka Dr Adina Kamarudin, and Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke.
Senior officials from MMEA, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DCCEEW and the Australian Embassy in Malaysia also attended the ceremony.
The agreement provides a formal framework for continued cooperation on RPAS capability and related operational development. It is expected to support longer-term collaboration between Malaysia and Australia in maritime security.
The latest development also comes amid broader efforts by both countries to strengthen their ability to respond to changing maritime security conditions in the region.
The ceremony concluded with an official exchange of documents and a photography session involving the Malaysian and Australian delegations, marking the formalisation of the new cooperation framework.
