Malaysia Aerospace and Defense Drone Market Taking Off

In the 2023 Drone Readiness Index (DRI), Malaysia’s drone industry was ranked as the top one for Southeast Asia. The Malaysian government claims the country has tremendous potential to become a significant player in the global drone market, expected to reach USD 127 billion by 2025. 

Drones are widely used in the agriculture and security sector in Malaysia. Palm oil plantations and fruit farms use drones with mapping and data imaging functions to perform real-time soil and field analysis. This approach helps farmers identify which plot of land is best for planting, irrigation, and fertilization to grow the healthiest crops. Drones equipped with near-infrared light can detect pests and plant diseases. 

The National Security Council in Malaysia and the Royal Malaysia Police use drones to regulate citizen movement for public safety. Drones can perform aerial mapping of populations during emergencies. During the worst flood experienced by Malaysia in 2021, medicine and food supplies were delivered by drones to displaced victims.

Government agencies such as Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) have taken on the task of leading the country’s drone industry. MDEC’s MyDroneTech Initiative aims to increase the adoption of drone tech in Malaysia by assisting drone companies in testing products, advocating for supportive policies, and developing tech talent to analyze drone-captured data.

The Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), the secretariat for Malaysia Drone Technology Action Plan 2022 – 2030, also launched Area57, a center of excellence to boost the drone industry in Malaysia. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) unveiled the uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) certification (C-UAS) and crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft national regulatory sandbox (Crewed eVTOL NRS) early this year.

If you are keen to explore U.S. export opportunities in Malaysia for drone services and technologies, please contact Senior Commercial Specialist Siau Wei Pung at office.kualalumpur@trade.gov.