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Barnama
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
US Underscores Longstanding Defence Cooperation with Malaysia at LIMA'25
In an exclusive interview with Bernama at the sidelines of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25), US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan highlighted the strong military-to-military collaboration between the two countries. LANGKAWI, May 22 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) is committed to further strengthening its defence cooperation with Malaysia, which it regards as a long-standing and valued security partner in the region. Kagan also stressed that Malaysia's sovereignty, prosperity and independence are aligned with US strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and affirmed that Washington is ready to support Kuala Lumpur in areas deemed necessary. 'This includes cooperation between our Coast Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and also with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Royal Malaysia Police. We think it's a very good story,' he said, adding that the US has been a steadfast partner of Malaysia since its independence. He said the US, while satisfied with the level of bilateral cooperation on a broad range of security issues, is keen to enhance joint capabilities in response to evolving regional threats. He also acknowledged remarks by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin regarding the importance of joint efforts to counter foreign encroachments into Malaysian territory and waters. '… we are committed to working with Malaysia to the extent that Malaysia wants to make sure that Malaysia has the tools and the means to be able to assert its own sovereignty. 'We have 14 exercises every year between our militaries. We have an extraordinary level of cooperation. (There are) A lot of Malaysians who go for training and study in the US, (and) Americans who come to Malaysia. We think this is part of what gives our forces the ability to work together to face common threats,' he added. Kagan also emphasised the importance of shared values in defending international rules and norms, especially in the face of increasing maritime tensions. 'We can work together to deal with common threats, including those countries which don't respect international rules and norms, that don't abide by the UN (United Nations) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), that don't respect Malaysia's sovereignty,' he said. -- MORE LIMA'25-US AMBASSADOR 3 LANGKAWI He also pointed to the increasing sophistication of joint exercises between the two nations, including the participation of Australian forces and unprecedented operations spanning both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. 'We had, for the first time, an airdrop, a joint airdrop, where aircraft took off from Peninsular Malaysia and dropped paratroopers in Borneo, in Sabah. So, I think all that reflects the growing complexity and sophistication of what we are trying to do together,' he added. Moving forward, Kagan said the US is keen to deepen cooperation in emerging domains such as cybersecurity, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and sustainable aerospace solutions. 'We think there's a lot of potential in those areas. First of all, it's interoperability. Whatever the technology is, we think it's very much in our interest and we hope it's also in Malaysia's interest, that we have an ability to work together,' he said. He cited the US provision of ScanEagle UAVs to the Royal Malaysian Navy as an example of successful technology transfer aimed at improving maritime domain awareness. -- MORE LIMA'25-US AMBASSADOR 4 (LAST) LANGKAWI 'But also, there's making sure that our forces know how to best use the technology and have an understanding of what each other's strengths and capabilities are,' he said while praising the professionalism and skills of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Highlighting the strong US presence at LIMA'25, Kagan said that although adverse weather had affected a planned aerial demonstration, the US' showcase reflects the depth of its military engagement in the region. 'It (the aerial demonstration) was going to include two B-52s (bombers), 10 aircraft flyby of F-18s and an E-2D off the USS Nimitz, which was in the area and also two F-18s, which did do a flyby, a low-level pass. All that had to be scratched because of the weather, other than the two F-18s,' he said. Nevertheless, he said several key platforms remained on static display, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, MH-60, C-130 and C-12 aircraft. 'We think it (not only) reflects both the breadth and the depth of the US military engagement with Malaysia, but also shows that we're sharing and bringing to bear a lot of our different technologies,' Kagan said. Reflecting on LIMA'25, Kagan described the exhibition as a critical platform to reaffirm US support for Malaysia's defence aspirations and regional leadership. 'It's in our interest to find ways in which we can do more things together. We think that's good for the US, we also believe it's good for Malaysia. We are very appreciative of how much support Malaysia has put into strengthening the security cooperation in recent years,' he added. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
US aims to boost defence and technology cooperation with Malaysia
LANGKAWI: The United States (US) is ready to support Malaysia's ambition to develop a more self-sufficient defence industry, viewing it as crucial to the country's sovereignty. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan said the US is willing to assist Malaysia's homegrown defence capabilities through technology, partnerships and longstanding military cooperation. "We want Malaysia to have as much capacity as possible to ensure its own security and defend its sovereignty. Whatever promotes that is very much in our interest. "We believe that US companies, technology, and partnerships can be helpful for what Malaysia is trying to achieve. There's a long history of working together, and in general, the Malaysian military has been quite satisfied with US platforms. "It's also worth noting that US-origin equipment remains among the most reliable and easiest to maintain in Malaysia's inventory. We see that as a sign there's room to do more, and we hope Malaysia continues to see the US as a key partner," he told the New Straits Times during an interview at the sidelines of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25). Kagan also acknowledged the complexity of defence procurement decisions but stressed the urgency of boosting Malaysia's capacity in light of "a very changing and concerning threat environment," including increasing encroachments into Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial waters. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday said that while Southeast Asia remains peaceful and economically vibrant, countries must not take security for granted. Speaking at the Lima'25 reception dinner, Anwar stressed the need for preparedness and adaptability to shifting geopolitical and industrial landscapes, describing LIMA as a strategic platform to forge long-term partnerships. Touching on Lima '25, Kagan the event offered a useful platform for engagement, the US-Malaysia defence relationship extended far beyond it. "Even if Lima didn't exist, we would still have an incredibly broad and deep level of security cooperation. But we are happy to support Malaysia's aspirations and use Lima to demonstrate our commitment," he said. This support, Kagan said, can be seen through the US' strong presence at Lima '25, with static displays of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, the F/A-18E Super Hornets and a flypast of fighter jets from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. He also expressed confidence in Malaysia's key role as an anchor of regional stability. "Malaysia plays a very critical role as a maritime nation, as a country that borders both the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, which are both extraordinarily important as zones for free navigation and commerce. "And so Malaysia's position and how Malaysia handles its position is extraordinarily important. We believe that it is very much in everyone's interest for countries to make clear our commitment to respect for the UN Convention and Law of the Sea, including the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision, and the importance of unfettered freedom of navigation and overflight in the region and a rejection of unilateral and unsubstantiated claims," he said.
