Patrolling our country's borders are important, so that no one can sneak in or out of our country without permission.

That's why our abang-abang polis are investing a lot into high tech drones to make sure that doesn't happen.

Increase the security of our borders

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will soon be adding more high-tech drones to its tactical arsenal to protect the country's borders, Malay Mail reported.

Bukit Aman Logistic and Technology department director Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan told the news portal that a total of 16 high-powered vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones will be procured.

Not your usual drone.
The drones will reportedly cost RM48 million, but Sahabudin told the news portal that the spending was approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

"The drones will be used for assignment which involves monitoring and eliminating threats in areas along the national border such as intrusion, smuggling and cross-border crime," he said in a statement quoted by the news portal.

The drones, which will be be managed by the Air Operations Force, will also be used to help boost the security level in border areas throughout Malaysia.

Why so expensive?

Spending RM48 million for just 16 drones? Isn't it a little bit expensive, you ask?

Well, according to Sahabudin, these high-powered drones cost more because it's unlike the consumer drones we can get for as low as RM1,000.

The RM48 million that PDRM will be spending on the drones is an estimate based on market price surveys for drones with the latest specifications that enable it to undertake technical and observation assignments, Sabahudin said.

Every drone comes with more than just a drone.
The high-powered electric drones will be powered by batteries and are equipped with gyro-stabilised cameras with electo optical/infra red features.

These drones, said Sahabudin, is capable of flying and recording high resolution videos and photos, as well as live stream, during the day and even the night.

On top of that, Sahabudin said that every drone comes with its own mobile ground station vehicle, which is equipped with a turret tracking antenna system, a weather station and a portable global navigation satellite system.

So, that is why the drones are so expensive.