KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received the green light to acquire 16 high-performance drones complete with accompanying systems and equipment to monitor and suppress threats at borders.

       Bukit Aman technology and logistics department director Comm Datuk Seri Sahabudin Abd Manan said the government had approved the proposal to acquire the drones at a projected ceiling cost of RM48mil under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

       "The ceiling projection is based on the current market rate for drones suitable for tactical and monitoring assignments.

       "The drones to be acquired are battery-powered, high-performance drones with gyro-stabilised cameras (electro optical/infrared), which can be used to take in-flight high-resolution videos as well as photographs, and can be used for live streaming during day or night," he said in a statement on Monday (July 26).

       He said each drone package would come with a mobile ground station vehicle which would be equipped with a turret tracking antenna system, weather station and portable global navigation satellite system.

       "All the drones will be assigned for monitoring and suppression of threats at border areas in a bid to combat trespassing, smuggling and cross-border crimes.

       "The police appreciate the government's commitment to ensure the force has the latest assets and equipment to enhance our efforts to ensure security and public order is maintained," he said.