Page 32 - ADT MARCH 2021 Online Magazine

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Gear [ COUNTRY FOCUS MALAYSIA ]

MALAYSIA’ DEFENCE APPROACH Forging Ahead
FOR THE COMING YEARS With this trend expected to continue, the country is projected to
cumulatively spend US$18 billion by 2024, defence analysts pre-
REFLECTS A CHANGING dict. Also with a shifting political landscape, conflicting claims to
ENVIRONMENT islands in the South China Sea and budgetary restraints, Malaysia's
defence approach for the coming years reflects a changing envi-
ronment. The first-ever defence White Paper published in late 2019
Jay Menon focusses on the domestic defence industry. While efforts are being
made to contain defence spending, the plan remains in place to
modernise the country's fleet through streamlining and increasing
Malaysian government plans to focus on the number of multi-role vessels and vehicles.
upgrading the infrastructure of the Malaysian
Armed Forces (MAF), and replacing equipment
used by the MAF's special operations forces “MALAYSIA HAS MADE SOME PROGRESS ON
with a budget of MYR16.14 billion (USD3.9 bil- DEFENCE REFORM, BUT MANY KEY AGENDA
lion) in the year 2022. The budget allocation ITEMS STATED IN ITS FIRST DEFENCE WHITE PAPER
represents a 1.8 per cent increase over the (DWP) REMAIN UNFULFILLED. DELAY IS EXPECTED
original allocation in 2021 of MYR15.86 billion.
Malaysia’s Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz GIVEN THE CHALLENGING PAST TWO YEARS,
said a total of RM1.6 billion was allocated to BUT THERE IS A NEW URGENCY TO IMPLEMENT
enhance the preparedness of main assets of THESE REFORMS WITH THE INCREASINGLY TENSE
the Malaysian Armed Forces and RM14 million GEOPOLITICAL ENVIRONMENT,” noted Ivy KWEK, a
to replace the main equipment of the PASKAL former Special Functions Officer with the Malaysia’s Ministry of
(Naval Special Forces) and PASKAU (Air Force Defence.
Special Air Service) including parachutes,
underwater breathing gears and boats.
Malaysia’s defence exports have been negligible due to the
The military's modernisation projects, the absence of an advanced and developed domestic defence indus-
nation's investment in UN peacekeeping mis- try. Malaysia’s goal is for the domestic market to gain capabilities
sions, and regional debates with neighbouring through collaborations and technology transfers, thus reducing
nations, such as, Brunei over Limbang, Louisa, its reliance on defence imports. Malaysia has enforced a robust
and Mariveles, Indonesia over Ambalat, the defence offset policy to enhance the participation of its local indus-
Philippines over Ardasier and Erica, and tries. The country seeks to develop capabilities to produce at least
Thailand over Ko Kra and Ko Losin, appear some critical defence equipment locally and has already entered
to be the major drivers deciding Malaysian into deals with Turkey for the supply of the Pars AV-8 armoured
defence expenditure. vehicles.

32 | March 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT