KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — RM12 billion has been allocated to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to acquire assets and enhance the country’s defence capabilities this year, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Among the major asset acquisitions approved this year include 105 mm cannons, surface-to-surface missiles for the KD Jebat frigate, and three units of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System.
The Defence Ministry (Mindef) will ensure that the construction of other important assets progress as scheduled, including the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 1 which is now 96.52 per cent complete and has commenced the Harbour Acceptance Test and Sea Acceptance Test.
“LCS2 has also been launched and is undergoing work requirements, while LCS3 is in final preparations for its planned launch in January 2026.
“As for the construction of the Second Batch of Littoral Mission Ships, work progress for all three ships is expected to reach 13.8 per cent overall by June 2025,” he said when delivering the minister’s 2025 New Year Message at Wisma Perwira today.
Also present were Chief of the Armed Forces Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Deputy Minister of Defence Adly Zahari, and Mindef secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
Khaled added that the construction of FA-50M light fighter aircraft acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries has reached 48 per cent progress, with the first two aircraft to be received by the country in October 2026.
Mindef signed a contract to procure 18 FA-50M light fighter aircraft worth approximately RM4 billion in 2023.
Similarly, it will receive two Maritime Patrol Aircraft to monitor the country’s maritime areas in June and September 2026.
The plan to increase the capabilities of MAF assets is among the 10 main focuses outlined in Mindef’s 2025 plan to ensure that Malaysia’s defence system meets current needs and challenges.
— Bernama