Malaysia, Italy Agree On Defence Procurement Deals

MALAYSIA and Italy finalised a government-to-government (G2G) defence procurement deal in a bilateral meeting in Rome between the defence ministers of both nations, Khaled Nordin and Guido Crosetto respectively.

In a social media post, Khaled said the two countries looked to solidify relations and simultaneously strengthen existing defence partnerships to a higher level. The new agreement covers the G2G procurement in the near future in addition to prospective partnerships for joint logistical cooperation between both militaries.

Furthermore, he added that any support or assistance in expertise from Italy particularly in the sub-surface defence domain as well as telecommunications, satellite technology and cyberspace domain would be welcomed, citing the mutual benefits such cooperation would bring.

The defence minister accompanied the prime minister Anwar Ibrahim on a working visit to Italy where the Malaysian delegation had business discussions with Italian defence giants Fincantieri and Leonardo, meeting with Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero and Leonardo senior marketing and strategic campaign Vice President Tomasso Pani.

Fincantieri had recently participated at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025, announcing a partnership with Malaysian firm Enra Energy Solutions (ESS) to support the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) “15 to 5” strategic fleet renewal programme. EES is a prominent Malaysian company with a proven track record in maintenance, repair, and logistical support services.

Through this collaboration, EES will play a vital role in strengthening the local ecosystem of maritime defence solutions.This underlines Fincantieri’s broader commitment to develop long-term industrial cooperation with national players in strategic regions by integrating local capabilities into advanced defence programmes, generating added value through the transfer of technology, extensive know-how, and industrial skills.

The RMN has been said to be in the market for two Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS) and the third batch of Littoral Mission Ships (LMS Batch 3) comprising three ships under the 13th Malaysia Plan which runs from 2026-2030. To that end, Fincantieri has offered Malaysia the Kalaat Beni-Abbes amphibious transport dock (LPD) and FCX20 new generation offshore patrol vessel (OPV).

Meanwhile, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will take delivery of its first P-72M Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Leonardo before the end of 2026 while the subsequent aircraft is scheduled to be handed over within the next three months of the first unit. Progress on the programme has now exceeded 60% and is on schedule. Malaysia signed an estimated US$200 million deal for two P-72M MPAs in 2023 as part of the force’s Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP 55) which envisions an MPA fleet of six airframes to be procured in phases.

Aside from that, Malaysia’s military, law enforcement and parapublic sectors all operate various variants of Leonardo helicopters, including the AW139, AW189. Malaysia is a regional hub for customer support and training which serves over 240 helicopters. The Malaysian government also finalised a leasing deal for 28 helicopters for use with the police, military, coast guard and fire service.

Fincantieri has been keeping the momentum going with recent orders from Indonesia, which awaits the impending delivery of its two Multipurpose Combat Ships/Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (MPCS/PPA) class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) KRI Brawijaya and KRI Prabu Siliwangi, to be the country’s largest combat vessels.

The Brawijaya will set sail for Indonesia in July with its Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) crew at the helm and expected to arrive in Surabaya by early September while the Prabu Siliwangi will be handed over to the TNI-AL by the end of this year. –shp/adj/dl (Pix:MINDEF)