29-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ageing assets a challenge, says army chief
LENGGONG: The Malaysian Army is grappling with the challenges of maintaining ageing assets but remains operationally ready through a meticulous maintenance regime.
Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said that current assets, particularly vehicles, were legacy systems that have been in service for years.
"There are definitely challenges because we are managing legacy assets. Many of our assets, like vehicles and so on, are already quite old.
"But we practise a very meticulous maintenance system, so that their readiness is always at least at a satisfactory level, allowing us to carry out our core duties and responsibilities," he said.
He said this during a press conference after attending the closing ceremony of Exercise Keris Strike Series 30/2025, a trilateral military cooperation between the United States Army Pacific Command and the Australian Army held at Felda Lawin Selatan here today.
Looking ahead, he said the army was realigning its development strategies under the 4NextG 2021–2025 transformation plan, now integrated with the national defence vision for a Future Force.
"We are reassessing the capabilities that should be prioritised as we move toward becoming a Future Force," he said.
However, Hafizuddeain admitted that budgetary constraints remain a significant hurdle.
"Of course, we don't have the financial allocation to make many acquisitions. So, we have to carefully refine every capability development plan according to priorities," he said.
He said the army has a comprehensive "wish list" of needed upgrades and acquisitions, but each item must be evaluated based on strategic importance and alignment with future defence goals.
"We have to prioritise each item according to the direction of the Future Force, in line with the other services such as the navy and the air force," he said.
On the exercise, 4,000 Malaysian soldiers, 233 personnel from the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), and 151 professionals from the Australian Army took part in the drills from July 17 to 29.
In his closing speech, Hafizuddeain said the primary aim of the exercise was to enhance interoperability and the ability to operate jointly and seamlessly.
"Through a comprehensive series of engagements, including the staff exercise, command post exercise, and field training exercise, we have significantly strengthened the operational cohesion between our three forces.
"Guided by the theme, 'Strengthening Partnerships, Enhancing Readiness, ' I am pleased to report that the exercise has successfully achieved all its intended objectives," he said.
He added that one of the highlights this year was the first-ever combined live-firing exercise involving the Astros II MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) from the Malaysian Army and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the United States Army.
"It was not just a show of firepower. It was a demonstration of trust and integration. Two systems, two countries, one mission, to defend peace, deter threats, and stand ready," he said.
