Airbus Strengthening Malaysia Defence Industry
AIRBUS is set to expand its defence industry collaboration in Malaysia through new agreements signed at DSA & NATSEC Asia 2026. The collaborations emphasise the company’s long-term commitment to support Malaysia’s defence sector under the National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP).
The agreements cover Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Letters of Intent, involving Boustead Holdings, MRO companies AIROD and Global Turbine Asia (GTA), and simulator-based technology company Ikramatic Systems.
“As a strategic partner to Malaysia and a key contributor to local industrialisation, Airbus remains committed to further growing its industrial footprint. These agreements are a clear indication of our intention to bolster local defence industry capabilities through collaboration with Malaysian companies, in line with the National Defence Industry Policy launched earlier this year,” said Airbus Country Representative for Malaysia, Burhanudin Noordin Ali.
Airbus Defence and Space and Boustead will strengthen their cooperation in the field of Military Satellite Communication (MilSatCom) by exploring technical collaborations to ensure the successful delivery and long-term sustainment of Malaysia’s future MilSatCom programme. The MoU also paves the way for comprehensive definition of a training solution as part of this programme, while assessing how these areas of cooperation can be executed under the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) framework.
On its end, Airbus Helicopters intends to formalise an undertaking where Boustead would act as the prime contractor for military helicopter sales in Malaysia. This complements the work done by its BHIC AeroServices unit, which provides long-term sustainment to RMAF’s H225M helicopter fleet, including military support, completion works, component MRO and non-destructive testing.
The collaboration by Airbus Defence and Space with AIROD involves exploring opportunities to develop its MRO capabilities for the A400M military airlifter in Malaysia, aimed at supporting the operational readiness of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) fleet.
Similarly, Airbus Defence and Space will study ways for GTA to gain new capabilities to undertake maintenance work on military aircraft. Today, the Malaysian company is authorised to service the TP400-D6 engine which powers the A400M.
Airbus Helicopters and Ikramatic Systems will meanwhile explore options to develop a cooperation under the ICP framework, intended to enhance the H225 Full Fight Simulator capabilities based at the Airbus Helicopters Simulation Centre in Subang, in the state of Selangor.
The signings build on Airbus’ long-standing presence in Malaysia’s defence landscape, where the company’s military aircraft, helicopters, space-related applications, and coastal surveillance systems have enabled the country to undertake a wide range of missions effectively.
