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Malaysia Not to Defer Armed Forces Modernization Program
Malaysia does not intend to defer the armed forces modernization program at present although its economic growth might be affected by the slowdown in the US economy,Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday.
The procurement of several types of weaponry systems and construction of infrastructures for the armed forces would be continued as scheduled, he said after conferring the Honorary Order of Gallant Warrior of the Malaysian Armed Forces First Class to Thailand's Army Chief Gen. Surayud Chulanont here.
"Those that we (the Defence Ministry) have committed to, we'll proceed. There's no plan to postpone them," Bernama news agency quoted him as saying.
He said if the government's financial position was on a strong footing, the modernization program would proceed as planned but it would be reviewed if the country faces undue pressure from the slowdown.
Malaysia stepped up its modernization program for the three services -- army, navy and air force -- by acquiring latest weaponry systems and putting in place military infrastructures after the country emerged from the economic downturn that hit Asian economies since 1997.
Among its latest acquisitions are the 22 howitzer 155mm "G5" guns from South Africa, multiple launch rocket systems "ASTROS" from Brazil, six Super Lynx helicopters from Britain, Baktar Shikan anti-tank missiles and shoulder-launch surface-to-air missile "Anza Mk2" from Pakistan.
A substantial allocation was approved for the construction of a new naval base for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in Sepanggar Bay in Sabah, East Malaysia, and an ultra modern camp for the commandos in Sungai Sekakap, Mersing, Johor, southeastern Malaysia.
Besides, the Malaysian armed forces also proposed to replace the S-61 Nuri helicopters with that of the Russian-made Mil-17 and to buy a submarine for the navy.
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