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.