MALAYSIA is capable of building its own fighter jets by 2030, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said, but the problem is money.

Responding to questions in the Dewan Rakyat on the self-reliance of the local defence industry, he said universities and researchers had stated that Malaysia would be capable of building its own fighter jets in 12 years.

“But we need to have the full capacity to do so, especially in terms of money. We can build them but it must be in large numbers, not just 50. It would not be economical.

“If we build in large numbers, where do we sell them? Studies have to be focused on this, too,” Mat Sabu (Kota Raja-PH) said in response to Abd Latiff Ahmad (Mersing-BN) this morning.

Latiff had asked about efforts by the ministry and Malaysian Defence Industry Council (MIPM) on helping local companies provide products and services to the military in a bid to increase the defence industry’s self-reliance.

Mat Sabu said the ministry and MIPM had always worked with local companies providing defence goods and services.

He said MIPM also provided guidance to companies involved in the industry, and takes part in defence exhibitions around the world to boost global confidence in the capabilities of Malaysian defence companies.

“MIPM also facilitates government-to-business and business-to-business engagements at the local and international levels, which helps collaborations, transfer of technology and growth of local defence companies and their products.

“It will help the local defence industry become more self-reliant in the future,” he said, adding that the government also prioritised using local resources in military tenders.

Meanwhile, former international trade and industries minister Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli-Independent) asked Mat Sabu if Malaysia had any ambition or policy to export defence products, and what obstacles the country faced in doing so. 

He also asked the minister to name successful local defence companies.

Mat Sabu said local defence companies were mostly providing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to the military but some were also involved in manufacturing.

He said defence contractor DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (DefTech) made components for the A380 Airbus.

He also cited Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation Sdn Bhd (ATSC), which provides MRO services for the air force’s Sukhoi jets, while Boustead is capable of building warships, even for export.

“The biggest obstacle is that the industry involves a lot of money. The defence and arms business is not like planting trees for fruits.

“If we talk about exporting, we have nothing huge yet for that. But what is important is that we save some foreign exchange (with services from the local companies) to help the country,” he said.

Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PAS) then asked the minister about the mission worthiness of the air force’s fighter jets and ministry’s policy, ending with a remark that Malaysia was far behind Singapore in terms of defence.

“God willing, Malaysia will not be going to war with any country. But we are fully ready and on standby,” Mat Sabu responded.

He said the military had done a good job protecting the waters of the Sulu Sea, leading tourists to return to Lahad Datu, Tawau and Semporna in Sabah.

“We are not challenging anybody. But our military is capable of defending the country. Don’t let anyone belittle our military’s capability.” – October 16, 2018.