Türkiye and Malaysia to Jointly Develop Naval Platforms and Tactical Mini UAV Systems.

On May 21, 2025, Türkiye’s state-owned defense firm STM signed two strategic MoUs with Malaysian partners at LIMA 2025. The agreements aim to boost cooperation in naval platforms and tactical mini UAV systems. This move strengthens Malaysia’s defense industry and expands Türkiye’s role in the Indo-Pacific. Amid rising maritime tensions and demand for unmanned systems, the deals emphasize local production and joint innovation.
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As reported by Army Recognition, on December 4, 2024, the Royal Malaysian Navy began construction of the Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 (LMSB2) at Istanbul Shipyard. These ships are based on the Ada-class corvette, already in service with Türkiye and Pakistan, and under construction for Ukraine (Picture Source: STM)

STM’s naval platform portfolio is spearheaded by its indigenous corvette designs and the newly unveiled Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS), both central to its current offer for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), as reported by Army Recognition. The MRSS, first showcased at LIMA 2025, is a 153-meter amphibious vessel capable of transporting 14 tanks, 500 troops, and supporting air operations with two helicopters. Armed with 76mm naval artillery, remote weapon stations, and integrated C2 systems, the MRSS is suited for amphibious assault, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief. This follows STM’s 2024 milestone in beginning construction on three LMS Batch-2 corvettes for Malaysia in Türkiye.

As reported by Army Recognition, on December 4, 2024, the Royal Malaysian Navy began construction of the Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 (LMSB2) at Istanbul Shipyard. These ships are based on the Ada-class corvette, already in service with Türkiye and Pakistan, and under construction for Ukraine. The Ada-class performs anti-surface, anti-air, asymmetric, and electronic warfare missions, highlighting STM’s versatile capabilities.

STM’s vessels are already deployed by the Turkish Navy and have been exported to Pakistan, Ukraine, and Turkmenistan. The MRSS incorporates lessons from Türkiye’s Mediterranean and Black Sea deployments into a platform suited for the Indo-Pacific. The LMS Batch-2 corvettes, based on the Ada-class MILGEM, have proven reliable in anti-submarine and patrol operations, supporting ongoing bilateral cooperation.

An MoU with Lumut Naval Shipyard SDN BHD (LUNAS) aims to establish local naval shipbuilding and engineering in Malaysia, facilitating technology transfer, job creation, and domestic production. This mirrors Türkiye’s offset agreements under the PN MILGEM program and supports Malaysia’s maritime modernization with indigenous involvement.

This aligns with broader efforts to modernize the Royal Malaysian Navy. On May 9, 2025, the second Maharaja Lela-class frigate, KD Raja Muda Nala, was launched at Lumut Naval Shipyard, a milestone in the Littoral Combat Ship program. Malaysia is clearly intent on fielding a versatile, modern fleet with regional and international support.

STM’s second MoU, signed with Malaysian aerospace firm G7 Aerospace, targets co-production of Tactical Mini UAV Systems such as KARGU (loitering munition), TOGAN (recon drone), and BOYGA (cargo UAV). Operational for nearly a decade in Türkiye and used by over ten countries, these systems have proven their effectiveness in real-world missions.

This comes amid regional competition, including China’s plan to build a drone factory in Malaysia with 3,000 units annual capacity. STM’s focus on joint development and tech transfer offers Malaysia sovereign capability without overdependence on any single supplier.

Compared to systems like the US Switchblade or Polish Warmate, STM’s UAVs deliver strong endurance, autonomous targeting, and modular design. KARGU, for example, enables precision strikes with real-time target acquisition and flexible warhead configurations, offering cost-effective, responsive options for asymmetric warfare.

Strategically, these MoUs support Malaysia’s defense posture by building a domestic industrial base, reducing foreign reliance, and enhancing responsiveness to evolving threats. For Türkiye, they reinforce its position as a defense exporter in Asia, offering alternatives to Western and Chinese suppliers. In the context of South China Sea tensions, Malaysia’s acquisition of amphibious ships and drones enhances domain awareness and mobility.

STM’s engagement with Malaysia at LIMA 2025 signals a pivotal step in Asia-Pacific defense collaboration. By integrating Türkiye’s naval engineering with tactical UAV systems, the partnership aims to bolster Malaysia’s defense autonomy and regional stature, marking a new era of multidomain synergy in a complex geopolitical environment.