DSA 2026: Thales to assemble tactical radios in Malaysia

SYNAPS‑H is the VHF/UHF handheld terminal within Thales' SYNAPS software‑defined radio family. (Janes/Rakend P)

Thales is to establish a local assembly line for tactical radios in Malaysia as part of a series of new communications projects for the Malaysian Armed Forces, the company announced on 23 April.

Under the plan, Thales Malaysia will set up an assembly facility for next‑generation SYNAPS software‑defined radios in Segamat, Johor, in partnership with local firm Advanced Defence Systems (ADS).

Thales said in a press release that the facility is expected to assemble more than 1,000 radios over the next six years to meet Malaysian end‑user requirements. The company added that the programme would include the transfer of technical expertise to support in‑country assembly.

In parallel, Thales said it will supply more than 100 radios to the Malaysian Army to support the service's self‑propelled howitzer (SPH) programme. The radios include Thales' TRC 9315 very-high-frequency (VHF) system, the HF broadband communication (HF XL) system, the SYNAPS-H VHF/ultra-high-frequency (UHF) handheld terminal, and the SquadNet dismounted soldier radio.

Thales said, “This project marks the first introduction of SYNAPS-H and SquadNet in Malaysia, enabling heightened co-ordination with various frontline units of the battlefield.”

The Malaysian Army's SPH programme refers to the service's long-running requirement to acquire a 155 mm self‑propelled artillery system to replace legacy towed howitzers and improve long‑range mobile fire support.

In its press release, Thales also said it has been selected to provide proof‑of‑concept systems for battlefield management and tactical radio solutions under the Malaysian Army's AV4 light armoured vehicle programme, which forms part of the service's wider fleet modernisation effort.