KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Holdings Berhad (Boustead) has formalised two strategic collaborations with Airbus at the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2026 (DSA 2026) on Tuesday (April 21), reinforcing its role in advancing Malaysia's defence and sovereign space capabilities.
The company exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus Defence and Space to explore collaboration in Malaysia's sovereign defence telecommunications satellite programme.
Additionally, Boustead entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus Helicopters to pursue a potential prime contractorship role for future military helicopter programmes in Malaysia.
Boustead Group managing director, Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, in a statement, said the collaborations reflect Boustead's evolving role as a strategic enabler within Malaysia's defence ecosystem.
"Through our partnership with Airbus, we are not only strengthening our capabilities across aerospace and space domains, but also supporting national aspirations for greater self-reliance, technology transfer, and sustainable industry development under the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN) framework," he said.
Ahmad Sabirin signed the agreements alongside the Head of Airbus Helicopters Asia Pacific, Vincent Dubrule, and the Head of Airbus Defence & Space Asia Pacific, Zakir Hamid.
The signing ceremony at the Boustead pavilion was witnessed by the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The MOU with Airbus Defence and Space will focus on evaluating opportunities for cooperation across the full satellite value chain, including space systems development, ground segment operations, and long-term sustainment capabilities, to support Malaysia's ambition to strengthen its sovereign telecommunications infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the LOI with Airbus Helicopters outlines Boustead Group's potential role as a prime contractor for future military helicopter acquisition programmes.
This is subject to fulfilling key requirements, including financing capabilities, project management expertise, and compliance with Airbus' due diligence and validation processes.
The statement said Boustead remains focused on delivering long-term value through structured partnerships that enhance local capacity, deepen industrial participation, and position Malaysia competitively within the regional defence landscape.
Both engagements underscore Boustead's strategic positioning as a key national partner supporting Malaysia's defence ecosystem under the DIPN and the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP). – Bernama
