PORT KLANG: The South Korean Navy’s landing ship, Cheonjabong, made a port call here on Monday, to foster closer defence ties with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) while showcasing its amphibious operations and defence capabilities.
The Landing Ship Dock (LSD) transported South Korean Army equipment, including the K2 Main Battle Tank (MBT), K-9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH), and K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
The vessel had just completed joint exercises with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi and is similar in concept to the Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS), which the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is considering acquiring.
Undang Luak Johol of Negri Sembilan, Datuk Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Setiawan Datuk Muhammad Abdullah, who attended the event, commended South Korea’s approach to defence cooperation.
"I was deeply impressed to witness firsthand how the MRSS operates, including the loading and unloading of army equipment and amphibious operations. It became clear that the South Korean government and defence industry are not merely selling military equipment but are actively committed to strengthening the MAF through capacity-building efforts.
"This commitment was evident through their detailed explanations, which conveyed a genuine dedication to long-term cooperation.
"South Korea’s military equipment stands out for its advanced technology, excellent quality, and competitive pricing. Most importantly, South Korea adheres to delivery schedules and, in some cases, even delivers ahead of the expected timeline, a factor that the MAF highly values," he said in a statement shared by the South Korean embassy here on Monday.
Malaysia and South Korea have long-standing defence ties, particularly in military technology and training exchanges.
The engagement is part of broader efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s amphibious and support capabilities while fostering long-term cooperation.
The Cheonjabong’s stop in Port Klang comes amid Malaysia’s ongoing defence modernisation efforts, with the MRSS programme a key focus in its naval and ground combat upgrades. - Bernama
