KUALA LUMPUR: A RM40mil Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) from Japan will be deployed to key operational bases, including Sepanggar and Labuan, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said the anti-drone technology was provided under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme, which was announced during his recent working visit to the country.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday (Oct 24), Khaled urged Tokyo to maintain the OSA framework to help partner nations strengthen their defence and maritime surveillance capabilities amid growing regional geopolitical tensions.
"We hope the OSA programme will continue as it is very helpful in building our capabilities," Khaled said. "As a maritime nation, we must safeguard not only our land but also our entire maritime domain, particularly critical areas like the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea."
He noted that defence cooperation between Malaysia and Japan has gained momentum following updates to Japan’s 2022 security strategy, which expanded military assistance to regional partners. Malaysia was among the early recipients under the scheme.
Khaled added that maintaining national defence readiness requires a combination of modern hardware, international partnerships, and regular joint military exercises.
In a separate development, Khaled announced that the government has allocated RM304mil for the welfare of military veterans. The funding will cover essential needs, including housing repairs, healthcare, and educational support for veterans' children.
He called on the Veterans Association of the Malaysian Armed Forces to act as a strategic partner in identifying eligible recipients and ensuring aid reaches those in need.
