Malaysian Defence Ministry Allocates RM12 Billion for Asset Procurement This Year
The Malaysian Ministry of Defence has allocated RM12 billion to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) for the procurement of assets aimed at enhancing the nation’s defence capabilities this year.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Malaysian Ministry of Defence has allocated RM12 billion to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) for the procurement of assets aimed at enhancing the nation’s defence capabilities this year.
According to Bernama, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that among the key approved acquisitions for this year are 105mm artillery guns, surface-to-surface missiles (SSM) for the KD Jebat frigate, and three units of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System (MALE UAS).
The three MALE UAS units refer to the procurement of ANKA drones from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Malaysia is set to become the first country in the region to operate the combat-proven ANKA MALE UAS following the signing of a contract between the Ministry of Defence and TAI for the acquisition of the ANKA UAS platform and its support equipment during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023).
Reports indicate that Malaysia plans to station these Turkish-made drones at the strategic airbase in Labuan to monitor potential intrusions into the nation’s waters in the South China Sea.
“ANKA” Medium Altitude Long Endurance-Unmanned Aerial System (MALE-UAS)
Malaysia is believed to have selected the “Anka-S” variant, which is capable of continuous flight for 24 to 30 hours at an altitude of 30,000 feet and can carry payloads between 250 to 350 kilograms.
Mohamed Khaled emphasized that the Ministry of Defence will ensure the timely progress of other critical defence asset developments.
This includes the first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 1), which has reached 96.52% completion and has commenced Harbour Acceptance Trials (HAT) and Sea Acceptance Trials (SAT).
“The second Littoral Combat Ship, LCS2, has already been launched and is undergoing outfitting works, while the third ship, LCS3, is in its final preparation stage for launch, scheduled for January 2026.
“For the construction of the second batch of Littoral Mission Ships (LMS), overall progress for all three vessels is expected to reach 13.8% by June 2025,” he added.
The Defence Minister shared these updates during the 2025 New Year Address at Wisma Perwira today.
LCS 1 “Maharaja Lela”
Also present were Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
Mohamed Khaled also highlighted the progress of the FA-50M (Block 20) Light Combat Aircraft/ Fighter Lead-In Trainer (LCA/FLIT) program, procured from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which has reached 48% completion.
The first two aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Malaysia in October 2026.
The Ministry of Defence signed a procurement contract for 18 FA-50M fighter jets valued at approximately RM4 billion in 2023.
Additionally, Mohamed Khaled announced that the Ministry will receive two Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) for maritime surveillance by June and September 2026.
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan stated that the nation is expected to begin receiving ATR72 MPA aircraft in 2026, enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities, particularly in the South China Sea.
“ATR 72MP”
The Ministry of Defence and Leonardo, the manufacturer of the ATR72 MPA, signed a procurement agreement worth over RM700 million for the two aircraft during the LIMA 2023 exhibition in Langkawi last May.
Promoted as a cost-effective operational platform, the ATR 72MP is a high-capability maritime patrol aircraft capable of executing anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions.
For these missions, the aircraft is equipped with various optional systems and subsystems, including the Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) for operations in hostile environments, and systems for deploying and managing sonobuoys and acoustic subsystems.
Mohamed Khaled reiterated that enhancing the capabilities of MAF assets is one of the ten main priorities outlined in the Ministry of Defence’s 2025 strategic plan to ensure the nation’s defence system meets current requirements and challenges. — DSA