KL to expand defense industry

KL to expand defense industry

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar called
yesterday for further efforts to expand Malaysia's defense
industry to make it more self-sufficient.

Syed Hamid said the sector was still developing and existing
industries had not made much progress in terms of technological
sophistication.

"While Malaysia acknowledges its limitation in becoming a
market leader, it aspires to develop its defense industry
further," he said when opening a seminar organized by the French
Land Defense Manufacturers Association.

Syed Hamid said the government had taken a pragmatic approach
to spur the growth of the local industry. This included making it
mandatory since 1990 for offset programs such as transfer of
technology and technical training to be tied to the procurement
of major equipment.