KUALA LUMPUR: The country's defence maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry has the potential to compete internationally, says Adly Zahari.
The Deputy Defence Minister that while the local defence industry is largely centred on MRO services to support the country's military assets, the sector has developed enough to serve foreign markets.
"Our MRO industry now has the expertise and capabilities to serve beyond domestic needs and be competitive beyond Malaysia's borders," he told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time on Monday (July 13).
He said the government was currently looking to leverage defence diplomacy and foreign partnerships to help local companies expand into global markets.
"We will look to continue strengthening cooperation with our international partners to create new export opportunities and promote locally produced defence goods and services.
"Through this expansion, the hope is that our industries can continue to grow over time," he said.
Adly was responding to a supplementary question from Onn Abu Bakar (PH-Batu Pahat) on Malaysian defence companies current ability to penetrate into export markets and any new incentive to help them expand their international competitiveness.
He also addressed Malaysia's reliance on foreign defence suppliers, noting that the government was planning several measures to overcome this over-reliance in the long term.
Measures include conducting supply chain risk assessments, diversifying suppliers and expanding government-to-government cooperation involving technology and knowledge transfer.
Adly said his ministry would also focus on the development of local industry through measures that would increase the capacity of domestic defence industry and the development of local skilled manpower.
Beyond MRO, he said Malaysia is also looking to develop other local strategic defence sectors, including satellite and drone technologies.
He was responding to Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) on how dependence on foreign suppliers affects the development of the Malaysia's military assets.
