The Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 exhibition marked a major milestone, attracting 48,347 visitors from 116 countries during its four-day run from 20 to 23 April 2026.
The event featured participation from 1,456 companies representing 63 countries, alongside 37 international pavilions. Attendees included government leaders, armed forces chiefs, and key players from the global and local defence and security industries.
According to Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the exhibition served as a catalyst for strategic cooperation and delivered significant outcomes.
“As a catalyst for strategic cooperation, this year’s event successfully concluded 12 procurement contracts worth RM1.132 billion to enhance the readiness of the Malaysian Armed Forces. In addition, four Letters of Intent valued at RM1.009 billion were submitted for follow-up strategic projects, alongside eight Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) agreements with a total credit value of RM1.400 billion,” he said.
He made these remarks during the closing ceremony held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Armed Forces Chief General Datuk Haji Malek Razak Sulaiman, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, and Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, along with top management from the Ministry of Defence and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in bilateral and multilateral discussions, strategic conferences, and the signing of memorandums of understanding.
The programme also facilitated new collaborations, showcased emerging technologies, and strengthened relationships among regional and global stakeholders.
Four key forums were held such as Putrajaya Forum, APSA Malaysia International Roundtable Dialogue, and sessions with the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).
Organisers also confirmed the preparation of the next edition of DSA and NATSEC Asia has begun, to take place from 17 to 20 April 2028.
During the event, Malaysiakini noted that the industry leaders expressed strong satisfaction with the outcomes of DSA 2026, noting its role in expanding Malaysia’s defence ecosystem.
President of the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Association (MAIA), Naguib Mohd Nor said NATSEC Asia 2026 has significantly boosted the country’s aerospace defence sector, which previously focused heavily on the public sector.
He noted that many Malaysian defence companies currently serve government agencies such as the Ministry of Defence, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysian Armed Forces, and Royal Malaysian Navy.
The expansion of NATSEC Asia 2026 is positioning Malaysia as a regional defence technology hub.
He also urged the government to continue strengthening technological development to meet evolving defence needs.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mohd Yusof Abu Bakar, CEO of Melaka Corporation (MCORP), said the growing defence industry opens new opportunities for Malaysians.
“Previously, the sector was more conventional, but the development of the defence industry now allows more locals to explore opportunities in this field,” he said, adding that increased exposure from NATSEC Asia 2026 is likely to attract new investors.
He was speaking after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi, Anzeco Powertech Sdn. Bhd., and the Melaka state government to develop a defence industry hub.
The MoU aims to achieve up to 40 percent local participation, focusing on vendor development, workforce upskilling, and technology transfer in line with the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN).
At the same event, MKE International Sales & Marketing Manager, Sinan Şenliler from Turkiye said, DSA 2026 serves as an important international defence platform, gathering delegations from various countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Şenliler, the program connects his organization with countries in the region including Malaysia to offer defence solutions, making the implementation of DSA 2026 very effective.
“We have been in this market for many years and our goal is to expand our cooperation with all countries, especially Malaysia.
“We produce more than 400 products as solutions for all countries in the region, and are happy when these solutions can be offered to those in need,” he said.
Apart from MKE, Resource Industries Board Director from United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed Ayesh said that his company also took the opportunity to strengthen their presence through DSA 2026, thus opening up new channels in the defence industry in the region.
He said that countries in the Asia Pacific, especially Malaysia, have a lot of good cybersecurity expertise.
Following that, he said his company had held meetings with several local industrialists to exchange knowledge and experience in the field.
For Mohammed, the program is not just an exhibition to trade or display military assets, but an important connecting field to establish many joint efforts towards global peace.
Havelsan Vice President for International Business and Marketing from Turkiye, Sevket Unal said that his company was able to strengthen cooperation with local industrialists such as Boustead Group through DSA 2026.
Such opportunities, he said, opened up space for their companies to place several solutions in the Malaysian defence system and develop their operations domestically.
“In the past 20 years, the Turkish defence industry has grown very high to the point that around 80 percent of Turkish defence products will be produced domestically by 2026.
"The effort is seen as an initiative that should be appreciated and respected by many countries, including Malaysia, and is a pioneer in cooperation between the two countries to develop something with their own capabilities," he said.
