Malaysia To Receive 113 Next-Gen HF XL Radios From Thales As First Export Customer

By Nur Syahidayah Mahasan

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will take delivery of 113 next-generation High Frequency (HF) XL tactical radio stations starting early 2028, under a contract signed last year between French multinational company Thales and its local partner, Advanced Defence Systems Sdn Bhd (ADS).

Thales Malaysia and Brunei managing director Florian Riou said delivery will be in bulk through ADS, adding that Malaysia is now the first export customer for the new-generation radio, after France.

“We signed this contract in 2025. It is the very first contract and reference for this new generation of radio. Malaysia is the first export customer in the world, and we are very proud of the trust from the Malaysian Army,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview during a recent live demonstration.

Florian said the radio had been delivered to the French Army recently, and Malaysia will be the first Asian nation to adopt the HF XL technology.

Malaysia's selection reflects its strategic partnership with Thales, he said. Thales has operated in Malaysia since 1981, employing over 100 people, 90 per cent of them local talent.

“Malaysia is a key partner for us. We are fully aligned with Malaysia’s strategic priorities, including sovereignty and security,” he said.

The contract covers over 100 complete vehicle-mounted HF XL TRC 3900 radio stations, including radios, amplifiers and antennas, positioning Malaysia at the forefront of advanced tactical communications in the region.

Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024, the HF XL technology offers data rates up to 10 times higher than current HF systems and ensures resilient long-range communications in challenging environments, particularly suited to Malaysia’s tropical terrain.

The system delivers secure transmissions, low operating costs, and long-range coverage in remote areas or satellite-limited environments. It also resists jamming and can transmit large data files, including images and live video.

The TRC 3900 HF XL range also includes 20W manpack solutions capable of supporting autonomous operations up to 1,000 kilometres, as well as 400W and 1KW systems enabling communication between deployed command posts and headquarters or other units over distances of up to 5,000 kilometres.

Florian noted that Thales has delivered more than 11,000 radios to the Malaysian Army over the past 25 years, reinforcing its position as a long-term partner in the country’s tactical communications domain.

The HF XL radios are fully interoperable with existing systems in the Army’s inventory, further strengthening Malaysia’s secure communications capabilities.

Meanwhile, Bernama attended a recent live demonstration of the HF XL radio, held at the Ministry of Defence football field, showcasing its long-range communication performance, reliability in challenging environments and secure data transmission features.

The demonstration was conducted simultaneously across Kuala Lumpur (400W), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (400W) and Lumut, Perak (125W) with live streaming between sites.

The system is engineered to support beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, making it a critical solution for military operations, disaster response and connectivity in remote areas.

The equipment demonstrated included a 400W HF XL tactical radio system configured with an ANT 308 antenna, capable of transmitting data and supporting live video streaming.

Participants were also given a comprehensive overview of the system’s key features, including its robust design, ease of deployment and adaptability to various operational scenarios.

Florian said other countries in the region, including Indonesia, have also expressed interest in the technology and Thales is engaging closely with them to explore potential deployments.

He added that the HF XL radio would be showcased at the upcoming Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2026 Exhibition alongside ADS, as part of efforts to expand its regional presence.

“This shows that Malaysia is looking for state-of-the-art communication capabilities to address its geographical challenges, and we are very proud to support that,” he said.

-- BERNAMA