Operating expenditure for defence in 2009 was RM10.65 billion and the development expenditure was RM2.35 billion, said Defence Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahidi, as reported by Bernama on 25 June 2009. The question is: who are we preparing to go to war with and if a hostile country really wanted to attack us would we be able to defend ourselves in spite of all this money we are spending?
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Malaysia's real GDP shrank 6.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) in Q109 after growing 0.1% in the previous quarter, which has bolstered our view that the economy will witness a full-year recession in 2009. The decline in the first quarter was the worst since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998, proving the country is just as vulnerable to the current global recession as its regional peers such as Singapore and Thailand who also experienced precipitous declines in GDP over the same period. With this in mind, we have lowered our 2009 growth forecast, from 0.5% to -1.9%.
However, although recently released economic data still paint a bleak picture, there have been tentative signs that the economy may be bottoming out, possibly heralding a mild economic recovery by the end of 2009. Indeed, the effects from the announced MYR60bn (US$16.9bn) stimulus and monetary easing should come into play soon.
Malaysia had indicated that a portion of this package would go to the Defence Ministry for additional development projects. Major defence procurements at the start of 2009 included two contracts totalling MYR603mn with two companies supplying parts and components to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) for five years. It was also announced at the start of 2009 that the country's first submarine, a French-made Scorpene-class KD Abdul Rahman, is scheduled for delivery in July 2009. The Sepanggar Naval base, a 190ha naval base project costing MYR636mn, is also scheduled to be completed in July. The submarine will be housed at the new naval base. A second submarine KD Tun Abdul Razak, is expected to arrive at the end of the year.
We continue to expect the Malaysian government to increase defence spending by 4% annually, in real terms, over the coming years. Absolute increases will depend in part on how the country's economy fares in the face of the global financial crisis.
Speaking ahead of the seventh Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) in Kuala Lumpur on June 1, 2009, Minister of Defence Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi said Malaysia would be making a shift in its defence policy in efforts to become an important player in the defence industry. -- Report Buyer, June 2009
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Starburst, UK-made manportable SAM, effective range : 0,3-7,0 km (photo : NST)
'Asean Should Cooperate to Beef up Defence'
KOTA TINGGI, 15 May 2010: The armed forces yesterday tested its newly-acquired FN-6, a third generation passive infrared portable air defence system developed by China.
FN-6, China-made manportable SAM, effective range 6 km (photo : Tempur)
The surface to air missile, designed to engage low-flying targets at a range of 6km and a maximum altitude of 3.5km, is the latest addition to the armed forces' inventory.
Igla 9K310 with Dzighit launcher, Russia-made SAM, effective range 5,9km (photo : Militaryphotos)
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who witnessed the testing of the missile, said he was satisfied with the test results.
Anza Mk II, Pakistan-made manportable SAM, 5 km range effective (photo : Militaryphotos)
The missile firing exercise called "Panah Jaguh 1/2010", at Tanjung Logok here, also saw the testing of the Target Acquisition Radar Systems (TRML-3D), supplied by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co (EADS).
Jernas, UK-made SHORAD, range 9km (photo : Gokart)
Other artillery weapons tested included the 35mm Oerlikon/Skyguard, Jernas missile, Igla missile, Anza Mk-II missile, Starburst missile and Giraffe radar.
Blindfire fire control Dagger radar for Jernas, effective range 15km (photo : kmbyaf)
Also present was army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin.
Zahid said armed forces personnel must be prepared at all times with the best artillery and equipment.
TRML-3D, European-made radar, the radar has a range of 200 km (photo : EADS)
He said Asean countries needed to strengthen knowledge-sharing in defence technology and reduce dependence on technology from Western countries.
Giraffe PS-70 is a short-range (40 km instrumented range) air defence radar (photo : kbmyaf)
Zahid, who had just returned from Hanoi, added that although Malaysia had acquired the latest defence technology from the West, it could, at the same time, share them with its neighbours, with the consent of the suppliers.
Skyguard radar for Oerlikon twin cannon, effective range 15km (photo : chunky)
"By doing this, we can ensure that a large portion of the money spent for defence is circulated among the Asean countries.
Oerlikon GDF-003 twin 35mm cannon, effective range 4km (photo : kbmyaf)
" Zahid said Asean countries should also hold more joint exercises to beef up defence and security in the region.
Another air defense artillery arsenals are L-70 and Bofors 40mm (photo : kbmyaf)
He also said the armed forces would send a medical team to Afghanistan. "The government is waiting for the green light from Afghanistan to send the team of 60 personnel. The deployment of the team is an effort to show our country's commitment to promoting peace in the country."
http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2010/05/malaysia-tests-air-defense-capability.html
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