Zetro

What Zetro does

Zetro Aerospace and Defence Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian privately held defense and aerospace company, founded on 6 January 1981 as ZET Aero Trading and headquartered in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. The company operates as a holding entity for a dozen wholly-owned subsidiaries and functions as a Designated Authorized Contractor (DAC) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force under the Malaysian Government's Contractorisation Program, with additional Approved Service Centre designation from the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia. It is organized around three principal managed-services revenue streams—Avionics Maintenance, Ground Electronics (Air Traffic Control and Air Defence Radar), and Stockist (spare parts supply)—delivered through Performance Based Contracts, plus calibration services, Army/Navy/Police electronics support, and adjacent subsidiaries covering maritime, helicopter, telecommunications, and advanced systems domains.

The company's technology portfolio is built on a combination of COTS hardware running LINUX-based proprietary software and indigenous radar development. Flagship products include the ASR MELOR 087 (first Malaysian-developed airfield surveillance radar with Mode S MSSR), its next-generation NG variant (200nm range, LVA antenna), ZeRRDiS (radar display and track fusion system), ZeBaIS (airbase operations management system), Z-KRIS (coastal surveillance radar network), ZADRaD (air defence radar display), and the Zetro 067 air defence radar co-developed with BAE Systems. Operational service is delivered on-site at 11 air force base locations across Malaysia through 24/7 three-shift operations, with a centralized repair facility in Butterworth housing the MS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratory.

The business model is entirely Business-to-Government, with revenue derived from sole-source negotiated contracts under the Contractorisation Program and Performance Based Contract framework. Zetro generates revenue through long-term maintenance services, technology transfer partnerships with international OEMs (BAE Systems, Thales, Leonardo, Rohde & Schwarz, MBDA), and proprietary radar product development. Approximately 200 Zetro personnel are integrated into the RMAF Volunteer Reserve with security clearances, and the company maintains formal Technical Support Agreements with 30+ international OEMs and stockists for parts procurement and technology absorption.

Name

Zetro

Legal name

Zetro Aerospace and Defence Sdn Bhd

Website

https://zetro.com.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Zetro Aerospace and Defence Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian defense and aerospace company that provides avionics maintenance, ground electronics (ATC and air defence radar), and ISO-accredited calibration services exclusively to the Royal Malaysian Air Force and other Malaysian government agencies, under the government's Contractorisation Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Aerospace Electronics

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

IFF/Identification, Beaconing & Cooperative Surveillance Systems (IMABAGAF)

Keywords

• Defense electronics maintenance
• Avionics MRO services
• Military radar systems
• Air defense systems
• Aerospace calibration

Headquarters

HQ city

Nilai

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Avionics Maintenance Contract: Government contract for servicing and maintenance of all avionics components of all aircraft operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). This includes military aircraft such as C-130, CN235, B200T, A400M, PC7 MK-II, HAWK, F-18, SUKHOI, AW-109, S-61A-4 Nuri, and EC725.
2. Ground Electronics Contract (ATC & ADR): Performance Based Contract (PBC) for maintenance of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Air Defence Radar (ADR) systems from First Line onwards. The PBC contract has been implemented in both ATC and ADR contracts. Services include maintenance of ATC and Navigational Aids Systems and Air Defence Radar Systems operated by RMAF.
3. Calibration Services: Calibration of all tools and test equipment operated by RMAF. The company maintains MS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation allowing provision of external and internal calibration services internationally accepted.
4. Stockist Contracts: Contract with Government for supply of spare parts for RMAF aircrafts. Zetro Integrated Logistic Sdn Bhd handles procurement of parts and components to meet in-house requirements and contractual obligations.
5. Army and Navy Electronics Maintenance: Expansion of maintenance scope under Contractorisation to cover Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Navy Electronic Systems and Equipment, including Royal Artillery Electronic System, Royal Malaysian Police Integrated VHF Communications Systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Zetro is a Malaysian defense and aerospace company that designs, develops, and maintains radar systems, avionics, and ground electronics for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and other Malaysian government agencies. The company also provides ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration services and acts as an authorized service center for third-party electro-optical/infrared systems, with revenue primarily derived from long-term maintenance contracts (Performance Based Contracts) and proprietary radar product sales.

Product overview

Zetro Aerospace and Defence Sdn Bhd operates as a Total Solutions Provider specializing in defense and aerospace electronics. The company offers a portfolio of proprietary products centered around radar and surveillance technology, combined with comprehensive maintenance, repair, and calibration services. Core products include the ASR MELOR 087 Airfield Surveillance Radar (flagship radar system with PSR/MSSR), ZeRRDiS (Remote Radar Display System for processing and displaying radar data), ZeBaIS (Base Information System for airbase operations management), Z-KRIS (Coastal Surveillance Radar System), ZADRaD (Air Defence Radar Display), and Zetro 067 (Air Defense Radar developed with BAE Systems). Supporting services include Avionics (aircraft electronics maintenance), Ground Electronics (ATC/ADR systems), and MS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Calibration Services. The company also serves as Authorized Service Center for FLIR Star SAFIRE III systems and maintains a Central Repair Facility (CRF) integrating avionics, ground electronics, and calibration operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASR MELOR 087 Airfield Surveillance Radar Proprietary airfield surveillance radar system designed and built by Zetro for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, used for primary surveillance of military airfields.
• ASR MELOR 087 NG (Next Generation) Next generation ASR MELOR 087 airfield surveillance radar with modernized architecture, integrating newer technology and enhanced capabilities for airfield surveillance.
• ZeRRDiS (Zetro Remote Radar Display System)

Quantifiable outcome

• Established credible in-country repair facilities by 1994 eliminating need for overseas repairs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• BAE SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic technological partnership for development of Zetro 067 - First Malaysian Air Defence Radar. BAE Systems provides technology partnership to comply with Malaysian Air Defense Ground Environment (MADGE) requirements. The partnership aims to bring additional skills, expertise and capability to the national Aerospace Industry through manufacturing, training, and support activities.
• ThalescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for manufacturing, training, and support activities to bring additional skills, expertise and capability to the national Aerospace Industry. Thales systems supported include Marconi S605H, Martello Long Range Radar, Alenia RAT 31 DL and RAT 31 SL/E Radar, and other defense electronics.
• LeonardocoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for manufacturing, training, and support in aerospace industry. Leonardo systems supported include AW-109 helicopter and related avionics. Partnership enhances national aerospace capabilities through technology transfer and support activities.
• Rohde & SchwarzmajorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for manufacturing, training, and support activities in aerospace and defense sectors. Rohde & Schwarz provides test and measurement equipment expertise for calibration and maintenance operations.
• MBDAmajorTechnology or IntegrationContract with MBDA to support maintenance of JERNAS missile system in Malaysia. JERNAS is the export version of Rapier 2000/Field Standard C surface-to-air missile system. Malaysia is the first export customer for JERNAS.
• 30+ International OEMs and StockistsmajorTechnology or IntegrationEstablished formal Technical Support Agreements with 30 international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and stockists worldwide for procurement of parts and services. Includes agreements with major defence equipment manufacturers for spare parts supply and technical support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aselsan: Turkey's leading indigenous defense electronics company, producing radar, EW, communications and avionics systems for its national air force and export. Comparable to Zetro as a nationally-prioritized defense electronics house with indigenous radar product lines and OEM partnerships.
• ST Engineering: Singapore-based defense and aerospace MRO provider with avionics, radar, and ground electronics maintenance for Southeast Asian air forces. Closest geographic and capability peer to Zetro within ASEAN, operating under similar government-defense contractor models.
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): Indian state-owned defense electronics manufacturer covering radar, avionics, communications and electronic warfare for the Indian armed forces. Highly analogous to Zetro as a government-designated indigenous defense electronics prime with strong domestic monopoly and growing export ambitions.

Others

• Leonardo: Italian defense major and direct technology partner to Zetro (AW-109 helicopter avionics support). Relevant as a peer because it competes globally in the same avionics/radar domains where Zetro is a local systems integrator.
• Thales: French defense electronics major and Zetro's technology partner (Martello, RAT 31 radars). Comparable as a global peer in ATC and air defense radar systems, though operating at vastly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Saab: Swedish defense and aerospace company with a strong radar, electronic warfare, and avionics portfolio (e.g., Giraffe, ARTHUR). Comparable to Zetro's ASR MELOR 087 and Z-KRIS surveillance offerings, but at global incumbent scale.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics company covering radar, EW, C4I, and avionics with significant international export footprint. Comparable to Zetro on surveillance radar and integrated base operations systems (analogous to ZeBaIS).
• Hensoldt: German sensor solutions specialist in radar, IFF, electronic warfare and avionics, supplying NATO and allied forces. Compares to Zetro on the radar and IFF product side (e.g., ASR MELOR 087 NG's MSSR/IFF capability) but operates at much larger scale and globally.

Regional players

• Hanwha Defense: Korean defense prime with growing indigenous radar, avionics and ground electronics capability serving the ROK Armed Forces and select export markets. Comparable to Zetro as an Asian national defense electronics prime pursuing defense self-reliance.

Emerging players

• Advanced Electronics Company (AEC): Saudi Arabian defense electronics manufacturer under SAMI, focused on indigenous radar, EW and avionics capability for the Royal Saudi Air Force. Closely mirrors Zetro's mission as a nationally-designated indigenous defense electronics contractor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zetro-services-sdn-bhd-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zetro