SHANGHAI, Sept 11 -Malaysia continues exploring the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone technology through collaboration with China, focusing on the exchange and sharing of expertise and technology.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the collaboration between MARA Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd and the third-largest UAV technology company in China, Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, will enable Malaysia to locally develop such a technology.

He said that the technology is widely used in agriculture and border areas and this collaboration will allow Malaysia to develop UAV technology to meet local and international market demands.

“For a start, the company will transfer the technology to the University Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT), Sepang, to train students in UAV production. Next month, they will start the first UAV assembly with an initial production target of 3,000 units per year.

“Next year, the company will invest RM100 million to establish a permanent facility to train students in the field of TVET (technical and vocational education and training),” he told a press conference here today.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Mara Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd and Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies  (Beijing) Co Ltd to explore the technologies in the assembly, manufacture and supply of UAV products for the regional market.

The MoU was inked by Mara Corporation Group chief executive officer Zulkarnain Taman and Honeycomb Aerospace General Manager Liu Tiejun.

Also present were Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.

Elaborating, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and regional Development,  said that the operational radius of the UAV to be produced is about 300km.

As such, he said, in the field of agriculture, the AUV technology would be used for spraying and fertilising operations in FELCRA padi estates across the country.

“This collaboration takes into account the performance of the company, which is among the largest UAV manufacturers in China with the capacity to produce over 300,000 units per year.

“There is already demand for these UAVs, which is why they are willing to invest. They have also identified other areas they will introduce after the success they aim to achieve.

“What is important is their sincerity in choosing Mara Corporation as a partner. Being the largest UAV manufacturers in China and willing to engage in a long-term partnership, this collaboration with definitely benefit UNIKL students, especially at MIAT, Sepang,” Ahmad Zahid added. -BERNAMA