Kuala Lampur, July 13 -- Malaysia's recent announcement on the installation of a new air surveillance radar at Pulau Layang-Layang is more than a routine infrastructure upgrade. It reflects a broader transformation in how maritime activities are monitored, understood and managed. As a maritime nation whose prosperity, security and strategic outlook have long been shaped by the sea, Malaysia is witnessing a new era of maritime surveillance driven by artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems and advanced sensors.

For much of modern history, maritime surveillance centred on detecting and tracking ships and aircraft. States relied on coastal radar, maritime patrol aircraft, naval vessels and satellite imagery to monitor activities wit...