Malaysia Deploys CW-25D Tactical Drone for Border and Coastal Surveillance Operations.

Malaysia has fielded the Chinese CW-25D unmanned aerial system to frontline units, strengthening its ability to detect and track threats across complex land and maritime environments. This move improves real-time situational awareness at the tactical edge, where faster intelligence can directly shape engagements and border security operations.

The CW-25D Drone provides organic surveillance with extended reach, allowing ground forces to monitor terrain, coastlines, and potential intrusion routes without relying on higher-level assets. This capability supports decentralized operations and reflects a broader shift toward embedding ISR tools at lower echelons to increase responsiveness, autonomy, and operational flexibility.

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CW-25D tactical drone displayed on the Malaysian Army stand at DSA 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, highlighting its role in short-range ISR missions and integration within ground force surveillance capabilities (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The CW-25D belongs to the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) category and is positioned within the class of drones exceeding 20 kg. With an empty weight of 22.17 kg and a maximum take-off weight of 31 kg, it combines deployability at the tactical level with a payload capacity suited for intelligence missions. This type of drone addresses the needs of ground units seeking autonomous means to observe, detect, and track activities within their area of operations.

Presented at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2026 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, the CW-25D is displayed as a surveillance system equipped with an electro-optical and infrared Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) payload. It provides high-definition optical zoom as well as infrared capability for thermal detection. This configuration supports target identification at distance, area monitoring, and movement tracking, including in low-visibility conditions.

The drone is powered by a gasoline engine, enabling an endurance of approximately six hours. This duration supports extended surveillance missions, particularly for border and coastal monitoring. Its operational range of 50 km corresponds to line-of-sight control, requiring the deployment of forward control stations. The service ceiling of 6,500 meters allows broader observation coverage while reducing exposure to certain low-level threats.

The introduction of the CW-25D is part of a broader drone architecture already in use across the Malaysian Armed Forces. The army combines systems of Chinese origin with European drones such as the FlyEye, alongside commercially derived systems adapted for military use. The navy employs drones such as the ScanEagle for maritime surveillance, while the air force is progressively introducing Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) systems such as the Turkish Anka, capable of extended missions with expanded data-link capabilities.

This multi-layered structure enables coverage across a wide range of missions. Tactical drones such as the CW-25D provide immediate intelligence to ground units in direct support of operations. They are used for area surveillance, intrusion detection, and targeting support. At a higher level, MALE systems provide wider-area surveillance, particularly over maritime zones.

This approach reflects Malaysia’s specific geopolitical constraints. The country must monitor a fragmented territory and extensive maritime areas in the South China Sea, where territorial claims remain a source of tension. In this context, drones provide a persistent presence at controlled cost, while limiting reliance on manned assets. They also enable the documentation of activities at sea or near borders without direct escalation.

In a broader international context marked by the rapid spread of unmanned technologies, the integration of the CW-25D reflects a trend observed across many armed forces. Drones, whether tactical or long-endurance, are becoming central tools for intelligence and operational planning, as they extend surveillance reach, reduce personnel exposure, and improve decision-making timelines. This expansion is accompanied by increased technological accessibility, supporting adoption by a growing number of state and non-state actors.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.