“The modernisation push follows repeated Malaysian protests about Chinese coastguard vessels patrolling near offshore oil and gas assets.”
“Malaysia’s navy is set to receive Norwegian-made anti-ship and land-attack missiles next month, according to the defence ministry, with deliveries of Turkey’s Atmaca anti-ship missile system also expected by 2028.”
“Malaysia’s new National Defence Industry Policy positions loitering munitions, laser defence systems and passive radar as strategic priorities. The policy mandates a local content requirement of ‘not less than 30 per cent’ for all procurement contracts, Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said last month.”
“Khaled framed the shift as part of a broader vision to translate military spending into lasting domestic capability, while warning that even local maintenance and overhaul providers could lose business if they fail to innovate or reduce costs.”
“Malaysia ‘can no longer rely fully on others to guarantee its security and defence,’ he said, calling for an end to ‘continued dependence on external parties’.”