Malaysia explores defence R&D cooperation with Turkey, others
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin highlighted that such partnerships would cover key areas like Border Security Systems, Professional Radio Systems, and Air Defence Systems.
'The government is committed to strengthening local defence capabilities through a comprehensive approach, including the development of technology, weapons systems, and human capital,' he said in Parliament today.
His statement came in response to a query from Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau) regarding steps to bolster Malaysia's military self-sufficiency.
Mohamed Khaled outlined ongoing initiatives, such as empowering the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE) as a regional hub for excellence.
Additionally, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) is being established to reinforce the local defence industry ecosystem.
The Defence Ministry has also restructured the Malaysian Industry Council for Defence Enforcement & Security (MIDES) into the Defence Industry Strategic Council.
This move aims to enhance governance and refine the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) policy for a more robust defence sector.
Meanwhile, the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), designed to promote local innovation and technology, is in its final stages of preparation.
The policy is expected to be presented to the Cabinet in August. - Bernama
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The Star
17 hours ago
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Unmanned edge
IT was a covert operation straight out of a movie. Under the watchful eye of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an army of long-range aerial drones was loaded into mobile wooden houses, ferried by trucks that stealthily crossed into Russian territory. The plan took almost two years to come to fruition. Then, early last month at several undisclosed locations, the wooden homes' retractable roofs opened. Swarms of Kyiv's drones buzzed into the sky, striking airbases in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan and Amur in a series of bombing runs. Images of the attacks quickly circulated and Ukrainian security expert Maria Avdeeva famously said: 'This will be in (the) textbooks.' Unsurprisingly, Russia responded swiftly – launching nearly 500 drones into Ukrainian skies to pound strategic military targets on the ground. The Russia-Ukraine war underscores a new era of warfare, one increasingly defined by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. These technologies are not just complementary tools; they're transforming the battlefield, driven by a philosophy to reduce armed personnel's exposure to danger. In other conflict zones – including Gaza and Sudan – drones and cyber warfare (used, for instance, to disrupt missile trajectories or communications) are becoming increasingly prevalent. While conventional arms and manned vehicles remain critical, robotics and AI now represent a growing edge in military and security strategy – even in South-East Asia, where control over maritime zones, for example, is often a flashpoint. Malaysia, too, is working to keep its defences in step with these shifts. Alongside a recent RM12bil defence spending package – including purchases of Anka drones and missiles – the country is ramping up domestic capabilities in drone technology, cyber warfare, and stealth systems. Previously, it was reported that the ministry saw a 7.08% in increase in defence allocation under the 2025 Budget with RM21.13bil, up from RM19.73bil in 2024. Experts say this upgrading push must also include a multi-domain taskforce model and a clear talent pipeline to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness. A forward Stride Far from the spotlight and aptly acronymised, the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (Stride) – a government agency based in Selangor – is at the heart of these efforts to enhance the capabilities of Malaysia's armed forces. Stride director-general Nor Azlan Mohd Ramli says the agency is looking to equip the military with robust AI systems and robotics for both aerial and ground operations. 'AI is being explored to improve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), predictive maintenance, logistics optimisation, and decision-support systems,' he says. Nor Azlan points out that Stride is also advancing autonomous platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) to minimise personnel risk and increase mission success. 'In addition, Stride is strengthening internal capabilities by establishing dedicated AI research units and implementing capacity- building programmes to equip our personnel with the skills required to design, deploy and manage advanced AI systems.' Nor Azlan says the agency islooking to equip the military with robust AI systems and robotics for both aerial and ground operations. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star As outlined in Malaysia's Defence White Paper, Stride is spearheading efforts to achieve indigenous defence capabilities to enhance national security, self-reliance and technological sovereignty. 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'Key principles include human oversight – ensuring critical decisions, especially involving force, remain under human control.' Challenges remain, including talent gaps and institutional readiness. But Nor Azlan believes that with strategic alignment, ethical governance and international partnerships, Malaysia is on track to become a regional model for responsible and effective AI in defence by 2030. The cog Defence today is no longer business as usual; it demands a more dynamic policy cycle, says Dr Muhammad Danial Azman, deputy executive director at Universiti Malaya's International Institute of Public Policy. He says the building of a world-class cyberforce must begin by establishing cyberdefence as a fundamental pillar, alongside land, sea and air. 'The Defence Ministry should set up a Cyber Defence Command on par with Armed Forces Headquarters – with its own budget, training wing, and acquisition unit,' says Danial. 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A few of Stride's ‘gadgets'
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Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (second, left) visits the exhibition site of the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) as part of his three-day official visit to Istanbul. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED From Mohd Adli Shahar ISTANBUL, July 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies have been urged to showcase their own locally developed products at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2026 Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, as part of efforts to strengthen the nation's defence industry. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the exhibition, scheduled to take place in April next year, serves as a key platform to showcase the country's defence and military advancements, as well as to foster collaboration among various industry players. He added that the products on display could include those developed using local technology or through partnerships with foreign companies. 'I hope next year's DSA will be more meaningful by highlighting the participation of Malaysian companies that are now actively establishing themselves in the defence industry. 'Previously, many local participants were merely representatives of foreign firms. However, we hope that next year's edition will also include companies developing their own homegrown technology,' he told reporters here. Mohamed Khaled is currently in Türkiye for a three-day official visit to attend the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 and to inspect the construction of the second batch of three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) by defence company Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik (STM). In a related development, Mohamed Khaled said several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Malaysian and foreign companies were signed during his attendance at IDEF 2025. He said the MoUs covered various areas, including satellite communication solutions, joint development programmes for defence electronic systems, electronic warfare products, and the production of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.
