LANGKAWI, May 22 — The Defence Ministry (Mindef) has signed 40 contracts or letters of acceptance (LOA), letters of intent (LOI), and memoranda of understanding (MOU), worth RM11 billion, with strategic partners during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA’25).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said these contracts involved 40 LOAs, two LOIs worth over RM30 million for companies that have been awarded procurement contracts by Mindef from the end of 2023, and six MOUs between Mindef and selected strategic partners.
“However, the total value of the contracts also includes 45 other procurement contracts worth between RM10 million and RM30 million signed previously,” he said after the signing and handover ceremony of the deals at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre here today.
Khaled said the procurement amount increased by about RM1 billion from RM10.1 billion, with 43 documents signed at LIMA‘23.
Those acquisitions, he said, involved five main areas: the acquisition of strategic assets for land, maritime, air defence, cybersecurity, and the facilities and welfare of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
He said this was done to enhance the readiness of the country’s defence assets to and to strengthen territorial sovereignty, as evident with an LOI to Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd for the procurement of 136 units of Type A armoured vehicles and infrastructure worth RM1.88 billion.
He said this is important to strengthen the readiness of the MAF assets, support the development of defence capacity, and strengthen local industry capabilities.
Khaled added that the empowerment of MAF’s capabilities is being carried out by ensuring assets are in good condition by enhancing existing asset capabilities.
“Under this aspect, among the contracts that have been sealed include the Maintenance and Repair Contract for the Prime Minister’s Class Submarine, worth RM1.02 billion, and the obsolescence management service procurement contract for KD Perdana, worth RM48 million,” he said.
Khaled highlighted that empowering the capabilities of the MAF is important to address non-traditional threats, by strengthening national cybersecurity and telecommunications technology, such as X-band satellites and leasing secure satellite communication channels.
He added that procurement involves development and research, including the use of artificial intelligence and new technologies, while emphasising well-being.
— Bernama
