A combined navigation and helicopter control radar from Danish electronics firm Terma A/S is to equip two Royal Malaysian Navy frigates.

Terma's SCANTER 6000 radar systems are to be installed on the Lekiu-class vessels as part of a mid-life modernization and service life extension program.

Jesper Tolstrup, Terma's director of Radar Applications, said the SCANTER 6000 will enable detection and tracking of small targets on the surface and in low-level airspace in all weather conditions.

"In addition to surveillance and navigation, the radar is very capable for controlling helicopters," he said. "This is especially important aboard aircraft that do not have their own radar, allowing for the approach and landing on the ship or at remote locations, and do so safely in darkness, poor visibility, or bad sea conditions.

"The SCANTER 6000 will also provide a data feed to the BAE Systems' Nautis combat system on the frigates."

The SCANTER 6000 is an X-band 2D solid-state radar specifically designed as an affordable all-weather sensor solution to plug the gap between standard marine navigation radars and more expensive military surveillance radar systems.