Mindef plans to market defence products globally

By Shannon Teoh

The Malaysian Insider, 10 October 2011

Zahid said the agency will secure greater visibility for Malaysia's arms products on the global market. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — The government said today it will set up a new agency to promote Malaysian defence products internationally.

The defence ministry said that a marketing company would be set up jointly with the main players in the industry.

"Our products have international recognition but there is no integrated support," Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi told reporters today.

He said the move would allow Malaysia to showcase its defence products with more visibility, such as having its own pavilion at international arms shows.

The Umno vice president said that details such as contributions to paid-up capital will be announced later.

He added that the move will allow "cross-fertilisation" between the main companies and the ministry to exchange defence expertise and business knowhow.

The government has handed billion-ringgit procurement deals to local companies recently with the stated objective of developing the local defence industry.

DRB-HICOM and Boustead have secured deals worth RM8 billion and RM6 billion to deliver vehicles and naval vessels respectively this year alone.