Malaysian Armed Forces To Receive New Assets To Boost Capabilities

MALAYSIA’S Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) plans to build up the asset capability of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) by acquiring 12 new helicopters, three more littoral mission ships (LMS) and 136 units of high mobility armoured vehicles (HMAV). 

According to Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the procurement of sufficient materiel is to continue modernising the military inventory to ensure readiness levels to combat all threats. “Sophisticated and sufficient equipment and assets are something that cannot be compromised in the context of national defence and security,” he added.

Among the items on the procurement list are the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Flight Lead In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA), 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH), Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC), beacon and anti-sonar decoys for the Prime Minister-class submarines as well as a Long Range Radar complete with ancillary equipment to be based in Bintulu, Sarawak.

Furthermore, the minister stated that he would move forward with implementing the Defence White Paper and strategic plans laid out by his predecessor, Mohamad Hasan. shp/adj/dl (Pix:Malaysia Ministry of Defence)