The Malaysian armed forces are accelerating their procurements of modern military equipment in their quest to transform their combat capability. Despite a growing indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, Malaysia remains a net importer of defence equipment. Traditionally, Malaysia has been highly...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
The Malaysian armed forces are accelerating their procurements of modern military equipment in their quest to transform their combat capability. Despite a growing indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, Malaysia remains a net importer of defence equipment. Traditionally, Malaysia has been highly dependent on international suppliers, especially from Russia, for its defense capabilities. However, Kaula Lumpur is now deepening its defence partnership with Turkiye for many of its defence requirements.
Malaysia has a sizeable defence procurement budget with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) being allocated RM19.7 billion (US$4.37 billion) in the 2024 budget, an increase of RM2 billion as compared to 2023. With accelerated procurement timelines, global OEM are hopeful of sizeable orders, many expected to be announced before the conclusion of the show.
Just over a year ago, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) inked a contract for 18 FA-50s worth USD 920 million with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). The creation of local infrastructure to operate the Korean type, will also be a boost to Malaysia’s local defence industry. The RMAF is slated to take delivery of its first FA-50 in 2026 and will receive a version with Malaysia specific changes related to aerial refueling and a wider range of armament.
Two ATR 72 MPAs were ordered for the RMAF in May 2023 in a deal worth US$170 million. Turkish Aerospace also bagged a contract for three Anka-S MALE UAV worth US$91.6 million in May 2023. Malaysia’s Anka-S UAVs will not be armed but undertake maritime ISR missions. Deliveries of the UAVs on order are slated to commence from 2025.
The RMAF could eventually acquire up to nine such systems. Four Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters are also being leased for the Malaysian Army in a deal worth USD40 million. Delivery of the first helicopter has been delayed. The new helicopters will revive the airborne capability of the Malaysian Army which was lost when its S-61 Nuri helicopter were grounded in 2019.
Turkish Delight
Turkey has emerged as a trusted defence partner to the Malaysian armed forces. The Turkish firm Roketsan was awarded a deal last year to supply 18 KaraOK Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) systems to the Malaysian Army. The weight of the missile + launching tube is less than 16 kg. The weapon has a range of 2.5 km and features an armour piercing tandem warhead.
As part of efforts to modernize the ADNAN ACV vehicles in the inventory of the Malaysian Army, one unit of the ADNAN ACV-15 IFV25mm vehicle, delivered by the Malaysian Army, was modernized as a prototype by Deftech and FNSS. Following the modernization, the vehicle underwent a two-weeks testing period by the Malaysian Army test team, successfully completing all user tests. The main objective of the modernization project was to improve the mobility and automotive functions, communication and combat management systems, firepower functions of the vehicle at an optimal cost. The modernisation effort will extend the vehicle's service life by at least 20 years and result in shorter processing times for maintenance and repair work.
Turkiye also won the tender for the construction of the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch II for the Malaysian Navy. Turkish Shipyard Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik (STM) is slated to deliver the first LMS in three years, once contract signature is obtained. In the first phase of the LMS BII programme, Malaysia will acquire three Ada-class corvettes, with an additional eight to be acquired in the second phase. It is currently not known if all of these vessels will be constructed by STM in Turkyie or if some will be built in Malaysia instead.
The Ada Class is a patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) corvette which is also equipped with advanced anti-aircraft missiles. With a displacement of around 2,400 tonnes, it has a length of 99.44 m, a 14.42 m beam, and a draft of 3.59 m. Powered by a 31,640 kW (42,430 hp) RENK CODAG engine, it has a maximum speed of 30 knots and a maximum range of 6,500 km (3,500 nm) under its cruising speed of 15 knots. Crewed with 93 personnel, it has a maximum endurance of 21 days.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in unmanned aircraft from the iconic Predator to the YFQ-42A Collaborative…
Airbus has had a hugely successful week, racking up almost US $21 billion in deals and contracts at the Paris…
MTU Aero Engines closed its participation at this year’s edition of the Paris Air Show with record engine orders worth…
Indian state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into an agreement with Safran Aircraft Engines, for the industrialization and…
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Electra.aero, Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities for Electra's EL9 ultra-short…
As demand grows and talent pipeline pressures mount, the need to drive at least 30 to 40 per cent greater…
With airframers not able to meet production targets this year and unlikely to do so in the next two years…
Leonardo and Avioane Craiova have signed a "Technological and Industrial Cooperation Agreement" during the Paris Air Show, aimed at deepening…
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has confirmed the sale of one Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to the United…
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has selected Daher as one of five companies to develop a Medium Altitude Long…
The Norwegian Air Ambulance has entered into a new frame contract with Airbus for up to eight H145 helicopters, including…
Eve Air Mobility has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Future Flight Global, a pioneer in electric aircraft, for…
EGYPTAIR has disclosed a firm order for an additional six A350-900s as part of its expansion strategy to meet growing…
Embraer has received a firm order from SkyWestfor 60 aircraft with purchase rights on 50 additional aircraft. Deliveries of the…
Four French aerospace companies - Daher, Safran, Collins Aerospace and Ascendance - are joining hands to study and define a…
The French defence procurement agency, Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), has inked a joint declaration of intent with Saab regarding…
Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo announced at the ongoing Paris Air Show that they would join forces to carry out an…
Sikorsky and CAE announced at Le Bourget on the third day of the Paris Air Show that they would be…
Aerospace and national security company, SNC, and Lufthansa Technik have announced a strategic partnership to enhance their combined capabilities in…
STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of ten additional A350-1000 aircraft, taking…
The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has chosen the Embraer C-390 Millennium as the country’s next-generation military transport aircraft.…
Embraer signed Component Pool Program contracts with multiple airlines on the third day of the ongoing Paris Air Show. Currently,…
Embraer and Amelia, an airline operated by the France based Regourd Aviation Group, has signed an extensive services agreement, including…
Embraer and CAE are expanding their full-flight simulator network with the deployment of a state-of-the-art E2 full-flight simulator (FFS) at…
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology, a…
Lockheed Martin has confirmed a major advancement in the structural longevity of its C-130J Super Hercules, following a wing durability…
Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading full-service carrier, has announced plans to lease 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra, a US-based…
Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, unveiled a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000…
In a move to bolster European defence capabilities, Quantum Systems and Airbus Defence and Space have signed a Memorandum of…
Air Astana Group carriers have continued their winning streak at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held during the Paris…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.