KUALA LUMPUR: Two key defence policy documents have been unveiled with the aim of guiding the nation’s military planning over the next five years.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the policy documents - the National Defence Strategic Plan (PSPN) 2026-2030 and the Defence Capacity Blueprint (RTKP) - will also spur efforts to modernise the Armed Forces, strengthen defence diplomacy and improve the welfare of military personnel and veterans.
“Launching these two initiatives marks a significant milestone in strengthening the nation’s defence preparedness amid an increasingly uncertain global security landscape.
“The documents were formulated following the Mid-Term Review of the Defence White Paper to ensure Malaysia’s defence planning remains responsive and adaptable to evolving geopolitical and technological challenges,” he said during the launch of the key defence policy documents yesterday.
Among others who attended the event were Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali as well as senior military and ministry officers.
Mohamed Khaled said the PSPN is a comprehensive, forward-looking and future-oriented five-year strategic roadmap designed to strengthen Malaysia’s defence preparedness in response to an increasingly complex, challenging and uncertain security landscape and it is built around seven strategic thrusts designed to support the implementation of the Defence White Paper.
”It is also supported by 29 key strategies and 103 specific initiatives aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s defence capabilities and resilience over the next five years,” he added.
The seven thrusts are enhancing the operational readiness of the Armed Forces, strengthening defence capacity, improving personnel welfare, advancing defence science and technology, reinforcing international defence cooperation, promoting civil-military collaboration under the Total Defence (HANRUH) concept and enhancing the well-being of military veterans.
“It also aims to improve accountability in defence management through integrated monitoring systems, periodic reviews and more systematic reporting to ensure every government allocation delivers measurable outcomes.
“The people must see that every allocation approved, every project implemented and every policy introduced produces clear and measurable results,” he stressed.
Mohamed Khaled said the government will continue to prioritise the welfare of serving and retired military personnel, with new housing, healthcare and employment initiatives aimed at strengthening the wellbeing of the Armed Forces community while enhancing the nation’s defence readiness.
Among the measures is the construction of six new Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT) projects, two new Armed Forces polyclinics and continuous upgrading of military hospitals to improve medical services for personnel and their families.
To help veterans transition into civilian life, the ministry is expanding second-career opportunities through the Work-Based Learning (WBL) programme, strengthening the role of PERHEBAT, and introducing new reskilling and upskilling initiatives, including the PROWIRA Ready To Work Veteran programme, to improve their employability.
Meanwhile, the RTKP, according to Mohamed Khaled, complements the strategic plan by ensuring the ministry has sufficient financial resources, skilled manpower, leadership, technological expertise, research capabilities and inter-agency coordination to achieve its objectives.
“It will provide strategic direction for the development of Malaysia’s defence capacity through the HANRUH concept and the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society (WoGoS) approach.
“It also addresses increasingly complex and dynamic security challenges while focusing on developing the nation’s defence community, encompassing members of the military, volunteer forces, military veterans, civilian defence personnel and the Malaysian public,” he added.
He said the document is driven by three main strategic thrusts: enhancing the effectiveness of the defence workforce, instilling patriotism, and nurturing talent in defence science, technology and industry.
“These three thrusts are supported by seven strategies and 18 initiatives, all designed to strengthen Malaysia’s defence human capital capacity.
“The implementation of the blueprint is expected to produce a defence community that is more professional, patriotic, highly skilled and resilient.
“In turn, this will strengthen the national defence ecosystem and support Malaysia’s aspiration of becoming a secure, sovereign and prosperous nation.”
On regional security, he reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining its non-aligned foreign policy while strengthening defence diplomacy through regional and international platforms.
The minister also announced that the ministry will continue modernising the Armed Forces between 2026 and 2030 through the acquisition of strategic assets.
Among the major procurements are the Fighter Lead-In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA), Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch 2.
“Three ANKA Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial systems, received in March this year, are already operational at the Labuan Air Base.
“Future defence capabilities would also focus on artificial intelligence, integrated cyber defence, electronic warfare, electromagnetic spectrum operations and satellite capabilities under the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Command.”
