KUALA LUMPUR MAR 30: The Ministry of Defence today has accomplished 54 signings worth RM4.6 billion during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition and Conference 2022 and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2022 held at MITEC from 28th-31st Mar.2022.
Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said, the signings include 20 Letters of Acceptance (LOA) worth RM1.14 billion; 24 Contracts (RM3.32 billion), seven Letters of Intent (RM152.79 million) and three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs).
Hishammuddin said, the on-going procurement of new assets for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) include the Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) to be deployed with MALBATT 850 in Lebanon; 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, Logistic Support Bridges for the Royal Army Engineers; three-tonne GS Cargo Trucks for mobility and logistics; and Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) Anti Structure for the Special Forces. For the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), the new assets that are in the pipeline are three Italian-made AW 139 utility helicopters.
“A second batch of three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) that will be equipped with more sophisticated weapon systems to complement the existing four LMS’ is also planned for next year subject to approval by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
“Additionally, 13 Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC) are also in the process of procurement.
Procurements for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) currently underway are 36 new Fighter-Lead-In-Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA) to be acquired over two phases of 18 aircrafts each,” Hishammuddin said at the press conference after the signing of MoU’s and Contracts here today.
The Senior Minister added, this will replace the MiG-29N/UB that have ceased operations in 2017; the HAWKs that will have been in service for 32 years by 2026; and the Aermacchi (MB-339CM) that will also have been in service for 22 years by 2030.
“In addition, plans are in place to procure three long-range air defence radars (LORAD); medium-range air defence radar (MERAD); Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS); Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (MALE-UAS) and Maritime Patrol Air-crafts (MPA).
He said, under the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), three CN235-220M aircrafts are currently in the process of being upgraded to fulfil the role of Maritime Surveillance Aircrafts (MSA) that will be capable of conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) duties.
Hishammuddin also emphasized, as requested by the end-users (RMAF) themselves using the Government Operate, Company Own and Maintain (GOCOM) method, MAF is currently leasing four AW139 helicopters as a short-term measure to address the NURIs that have been decommissioned.
“GOCOM plans are already in place to procure 24 new helicopters to address the decommissioned NURIs from 2026 onwards with 12 helicopters to be acquired in Phase 1 (13th RMK from 2026-2030), and 12 more helicopters to be acquired in Phase 2 (14th Malaysia Plan from 2031-2035),” he added.
The Senior Minister said, despite the economic impact of the pandemic; and working within the budget allocated to MINDEF and MAF, both the ministry and military are committed, working hand-in-hand, to ensure our defence and security readiness remains at an optimum level.
“The success of DSA & NATSEC 2022 over the last 3 days also highlights the strong partnership that exists between MINDEF, MAF and the defence industry as symbolized by today’s MOU & Contract signing ceremony. –Malaysia World News
