Thales Secures Johor Bahru Airport Surveillance Upgrade Contract

Malaysia Taps Thales for Southern Airspace Surveillance Upgrade

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Dec 10, 2025 - : 3:28 pm

To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has selected Thales to strengthen air traffic surveillance in the southern Johor Bahru region, a critical airspace corridor for Southeast Asia. Under the new contract, Thales, in partnership with local firm Novatis, will upgrade the radar station at Senai International Airport with its latest RSM NG secondary surveillance radar. This modernisation initiative aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency for both approach surveillance at the airport and broader services managed by the Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre.

The upgrade comes at a pivotal time for Malaysian aviation, as the country pushes forward with its national infrastructure capabilities. The installation will see the RSM NG radar replacing the existing legacy system with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. By integrating this advanced sensor, the region will benefit from a dual-radar setup that provides comprehensive coverage across Peninsular and East Malaysia, ensuring that air traffic controllers maintain seamless tracking of aircraft regardless of weather or operational conditions.

According to a press release issued by Thales, the RSM NG system is capable of tracking up to 2,000 aircraft simultaneously and supports up to 64 data streams to air traffic control centres. The system features a 'meta-sensor' design that combines Mode S and ADS-B detection into a single unit. This integration is designed to deliver faster track initialisation and more accurate identification while significantly reducing radio frequency pollution—a growing concern in congested airspaces. Thales Country Director in Malaysia, Florian Riou, noted that the contract enables the company to support CAAM in advancing its Digital Strategic Plan, which prioritises the modernisation of the country's aviation infrastructure.

Enhancing Regional Airspace Sovereignty

The deployment of the RSM NG radar addresses key defence and security requirements for national airspace sovereignty. Thales highlights that the system provides real-time data on cooperative aircraft, thereby strengthening Malaysia's ability to monitor its skies securely. A significant feature of the new installation is its resilience against modern digital threats; the radar is equipped with updated cybersecurity protections and ensures continuity of information even during jamming or spoofing attempts.

Beyond the radar itself, the project includes the installation of two ADS-B stations to serve as complementary surveillance solutions. These stations will expand air traffic control coverage and detection capabilities, allowing for better management of aircraft movements in the designated area. This is particularly relevant for Senai International Airport, which handles approximately 5 million passengers annually and serves as a key gateway for the southern economic corridor.

Strategic Context in Asia Pacific

This contract reinforces Thales' position in the competitive Asia Pacific aerospace market, where it has recently delivered projects in China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Cambodia. The region is currently experiencing a robust recovery in air travel, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projecting Asia Pacific to be a primary driver of global aviation growth in 2025. Malaysia alone has seen significant traffic surges, with Senai International Airport recording a year-on-year passenger growth of over 40 per cent in early 2025, underscoring the urgency for upgraded traffic management systems.

Thales, a global leader in the defence and aerospace sectors, generated group sales of €20.6 billion (approx. US$22.3 billion) in 2024 and invests heavily in research and development for critical environments. The company has maintained a presence in Malaysia for nearly 50 years, employing over 100 staff, 90 per cent of whom are Malaysian nationals. This local footprint allows Thales to act as a strategic partner in the nation's defence and security ecosystem, supporting the long-term development of local aviation capabilities.