By INS Contributors

LANGKAWI, Malaysia: A cold electronic eye scans the battlefield, the Lancet loitering munition, having flown 40 kilometers to reach the area of its target corrects its direction and executes a dive maneuver, sending its five kilogram warhead into the top of an enemy tank, shattering the multi-million dollar vehicle and destroying its invaluable crew. At the cost of less than 50,000 US dollars, the drone has carried out its objective while its operators are located far away and unharmed. This is the face of 21st century warfare.

Transitioning away from legacy structures

Malaysia’s armed forces are still largely structured for border control and low-intensity counterinsurgency operations shaped by historical threats rather than emerging geopolitical realities and risk of being on path to remain as a legacy force despite growing evidence that the nature of warfare is evolving rapidly.

Despite having capable assets such as air and naval systems Su-30MKM fighter jets and Scorpène-class submarines and some highly capable anti-ship missiles such as the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) manufactured by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, its ground forces rely on a small force of 48 PT-91 tanks and a large number of light vehicles, lacking significant capabilities for ground operations. This leaves the Malaysian military and ground forces in particular ill-prepared for the challenges posed by modern, high-technology warfare.

Lacking armed drones, loitering munitions

At present, Malaysia's use of drones remains limited to reconnaissance and surveillance roles, with no armed drones or loitering munitions in its operational inventory. While this supports situational awareness and intelligence gathering, it offers little in terms of kinetic capability or battlefield influence. The absence of strike-capable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions severely constrains the armed forces' ability to conduct precision engagements, respond rapidly to emerging threats, or project force in contested environments.

In any future conflict, this technological gap could render Malaysia’s forces outpaced and outmaneuvered by adversaries that have embraced the full spectrum of drone warfare. The emergence of grey-zone conflicts, cyber and electronic warfare, and unmanned systems has outpaced the existing strategic posture. Without a deliberate shift toward 21st-century capabilities—including drones, integrated surveillance networks, and electronic warfare readiness—Malaysia risks falling behind regional peers in its ability to deter and respond to fast-evolving threats.

Enter the Lancet

The Ukraine conflict has marked a turning point in modern warfare, with high-end drone systems—particularly loitering munitions—proving decisive on the battlefield. Malaysia must take heed. The widespread use of systems like Russia’s Lancet drone, developed by ZALA Aero and described as the new 'AK-47' for being cheap and deadly, has demonstrated how relatively inexpensive, precision-guided munitions can neutralize high-value targets including artillery, armored vehicles, and air defense systems with minimal risk to operators.

For Malaysia, integrating loitering munitions into its armed forces represents a cost-effective force multiplier. These systems provide extended surveillance and strike capabilities, allowing the Malaysian military to punch above its weight in any potential conventional conflict.

Given Malaysia’s strategic location in the South China Sea and its need to protect maritime and territorial interests, loitering munitions can serve as a deterrent by enhancing the reach and lethality of its defense posture.

Equally crucial is the urgent need to adopt counter-drone technologies. As drone proliferation increases, so too does the threat of adversaries employing similar systems against Malaysian assets. Investing in radar-based detection, signal-jamming systems, and directed-energy weapons would ensure that Malaysia remains resilient against both surveillance and attack drones, preserving operational security and battlefield superiority.

Strengthening Malaysia's military-industry complex

To sustain and scale these capabilities, Malaysia should also prioritize building a domestic manufacturing base for loitering munitions, particularly models inspired by or licensed from proven platforms like the Lancet. Establishing local production not only ensures strategic autonomy in the supply and customization of critical technologies, but also strengthens the country’s defense industrial base.

This would enable rapid innovation, reduce reliance on foreign procurement cycles, and position Malaysia as a regional hub for next-generation military technology.

In essence, embracing both offensive drone capabilities and defensive countermeasures—alongside cultivating an indigenous military-industrial ecosystem will prepare Malaysia for the evolving realities of 21st-century warfare. This holistic approach ensures the nation is not just reactive, but proactive in defending its sovereignty and interests.