Malaysia MINDEF Strategic Agreements To Enhance MAF Readiness

MALAYSIA gave out contracts worth up to US$2.58 billion during LIMA’25, close to US$234.6 million or 8.91% increase compared with US$2.37b registered in 2023. Presiding over the contract signing and document handover ceremony, the minister of defence Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the billions of Ringgit Malaysia are to be spent to meet the nation’s defence needs. “Three types of documents were signed and handed over: 85 Letter of Agreement (LoA) or contracts, two Letter of Intent (LoI), and six memoranda of understanding (MoUs). 

“This expenditure is divided into five main areas, namely the procurement of strategic assets for land, maritime, and air defence; cyber security; and facilities/welfare for the Malaysian Armed Forces,” he said yesterday.

Mohamed Khaled noted that during LIMA’23, a total of 43 documents were signed by the MINDEF, valued at around US$2.37b. 

He said that such procurement aims to enhance asset readiness at the highest level to strengthen territorial sovereignty. Among the agreements under negotiation is MINDEF’s procurement of 136 Armoured Type A Vehicles (KJA) and related infrastructure from Mildef Technologies Sdn Bhd, with an estimated project value of US$441m. 

Other contracts include the addition of two Long Range Radars (LRR) in Bukit Peteri, Terengganu and Bukit Lunchu, Johor valued at US$65m, the procurement of 178 units of Light Anti-Tank Weapon – Short Range (LATW-SR) valued at US$11.5m as well as the supply and delivery of 780 units of Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) C90 valued at US$1.96m, he said. 

Apart from acquiring new assets, Mohamed Khaled pointed out that the strengthening of the Malaysian Armed Forces’ capabilities is also being carried out by ensuring assets remain in good condition through the enhancement of existing assets.

Under this aspect, the contracts signed include, the maintenance and repair contract for the Prime Minister-Class Submarine worth US$239.3m, and the procurement of obsolescence management services for KD Perdana valued at US$11.26, among others.–mgm/adj/adj (Pix:MINDEF)