DRB-Hicom, SAAB ink strategic partnership in defence and aerospace

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): DRB-HICOM BHD [] and SAAB AB of Sweden have signed an agreement to collaborate and supply Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEWC) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

In a statement Thursday, DRB-Hicom said the integration of SAAB's Eyerie Radar and the incorporation of the "Eye in the Sky" would provide significant data link to the Royal Malaysian Navy and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The AEWC system will enable the government to enhance its airspace and maritime awareness, it said.

“The ability to detect, track and monitor territorial and international domain in combating piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing and terrorism within and around Malaysian borders will also be enhanced.

“The collaboration aims to strengthen current expertise in terms of competencies in project management, system engineering and supply chain management,” it said.

DRB-Hicom said it would provide a significant local involvement in the entire project cycle, starting from production to testing and eventually to support AEWC operations.

The company said the agreement was a major step taken towards upgrading Malaysia's defence aviation technologies and capabilities, specifically in areas of Aeronautics System Integration and Command & Control, it added.