Eyes in the Sky complement the coordinated naval patrols by the littoral states, which began in July last year.
More than 50,000 vessels use the strait every year, moving about half the world's energy products and about a third of its trade.
Malaysia suggested aerial patrols at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June.
By David Boey
Subang Air Base (KUALA LUMPUR) - AS THE first 'Eyes in the Sky' plane took off to watch over the piracy-prone Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait, Malaysia urged other countries that use the sea lanes to send military aircraft to join the patrols.
'I would consider this as phase one,' Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Najib Tun Razak said, after watching a Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130 Hercules maritime patrol aircraft yesterday begin the first of what will be regular joint patrols mounted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
'Phase two will entail the involvement of the international community and we are hoping there will be offers... to participate in this Eyes in the Sky programme.'
Datuk Seri Najib said a number of countries had 'expressed interest in private' to send planes.
'Now it is incumbent on the international community to make offers.'
Foreign planes should help the littoral states - Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore - plug gaps in surveillance patrols as the three nations are obliged to each provide only two patrols each week, he said. Thailand will initially send observers and may provide planes later.
Last year, Malaysia was adamant that security of the Malacca Strait concerned the littoral states only.
The minister spoke to reporters at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) air base at Subang, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The Hercules lifted off amid much fanfare, with Singapore's Defence Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean, standing alongside Datuk Seri Najib and senior defence officials from the littoral states and Thailand.
Air patrols watch ships for signs of pirate activity and can then direct navy and coast guard ships to trouble spots.
Yesterday, Mr Teo said Singapore 'strongly supports' the aerial patrols and hailed it as something 'practical, useful, which serves the needs of users of the Malacca Strait'.
Eyes in the Sky complement the coordinated naval patrols by the littoral states, which began in July last year.
More than 50,000 vessels use the strait every year, moving about half the world's energy products and about a third of its trade.
Malaysia suggested aerial patrols at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June.
