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.
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