CANBERRA: Malaysia is set to begin rocket production within the next two years, with plans to eventually expand into missile manufacturing, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said the target can be achieved through strategic partnerships involving both local and foreign companies.
"The government welcomes and fully supports the collaboration between Weststar Group and Rocket Technologies International Pty Ltd (RTI), as it aligns with our push to build domestic capabilities in rocket and missile development," he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 1).
Mohamed Khaled added that Weststar's investment will also allow Malaysia to plug into RTI's global supply chain, opening doors for local players to thrive within the international defence ecosystem.
He described the investment as not only a significant boost for the national defence industry, but also a strategic long-term move to strengthen the country's defence capabilities for generations to come.
He said the move is also in line with the National Defence Industry Policy, which aims to strengthen local defence capabilities and achieve sovereign defence standing.
"I extend my appreciation to the Australian Government for its support and approval of the collaboration and technology transfer between RTI and Weststar," he said.
Earlier, Mohamed Khaled, who is on a three-day official working visit to Australia, witnessed the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between Weststar Group, through its subsidiary Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd and RTI.
The agreement was inked by Weststar Group founder and managing director Tan Sri Dr Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim and RTI founder Allan James Payne. – Bernama
