Malaysia purchased new air defence systems.

Malaysia has signed a deal to procure BAE JERNAS air defence systems to further improved the nation security.The contract for the systems were disclosed at the DEFENCE SERVICES ASIA 2002 exhibitions held in Kuala Lumpur last week.JERNAS is the same systems as the British army RAPIER 2000 but certain improvement has been incorporated into the guidance/missile dept.This is to enable the systems to be highly adaptable in the hot tropic region.Eventhough the no of the systems procured were not disclosed,it is believed that between 18-24 launchers were contracted to equipped the third air defence regiment.Misssile range is app. 9km and each systems could fire 8 missiles at one time + comes with their own tracking and search radar.This is the third air defence systems for Malaysia after the STARBURST/IGLA.The air force are believed to be looking for another systems for base air defence.Shortlisted CROTALE NG,JERNAS,ROLAND.