Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces Satisfied with current Military Assets

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 -- Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin says he is satisfied with the current line-up of military assets owned, to ensure the country's sovereignty and interests remain protected.

He said the asset acquisition plan for all three branches of the MAF comprising the Army, Air Force and Navy, was also registered in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) according to priority. 

“The procurement process will continue to be done according to the country's needs and current financial capabilities. 

"The Ministry of Defence and MAF are aware of the country's financial situation and the austerity measures the government is taking," he said in a special interview with the media in conjunction with the 86th MAF Day, at Wisma Pertahanan here.

In this regard, he said the developments on acquisitions and upgrades of MAF’s assets have also been touched on in the Defence White Paper (DWP) so that it is more transparent, as well as to avoid leakages.

Zulkifli said in order to realise this, the need to upgrade or enhance any of the country's military assets whether for land, sea or air, had to be carried out according to priority, and guided by the DWP.

“In this regard, the MAF is carrying out a series of feasibility studies based on prudent expenditure, including effective management of existing assets, both in terms of maintenance costs, optimised usage and actual needs.

Meanwhile, Navy chief Datuk Mohd Reza Mohd Sany said the country’s naval assets were still capable of performing military operations despite some being decades old.

“For example, KD Perdana is 47 years old and now it still functions but not at 100 per cent because some of its original capabilities could not be maintained due to its age.

"These assets, however, have no problem in navigating and firing cannons," he told reporters after the 14th Armed Forces Staff College (MTAT) Hall Of Fame Awards Ceremony here, today.

-- BERNAMA