M'sia-US discussion over JV to enhance armed forces’ capabilities

Malaysia and the United States (US) have held specific discussions on joint ventures towards boosting the capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), said Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

The senior minister said the discussion was held through a telephone conversation with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin III on Wednesday and both of them agreed that there is still room to further strengthen cooperation through 'Building Partner Capacity'.

"Malaysia-US defence cooperation is now at a very strong level. Only recently the US donated medical equipment to the Royal Health Corps worth US$3 million (RM13.8 million)," Hishammuddin said on Facebook today.

In total the US has contributed more than US$200 million (RM920 million) to bolster Malaysia's defence capabilities, he added.

"KD Lekir has also just returned after being given the honour to participate in #RIMPAC2022 (the Rim of the Pacific Exercise) in Hawaii.”

In the phone conversation, Hishammuddin said he and Austin also took the opportunity to exchange views on security issues including the South China Sea and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

"Before ending the conversation, I invited him to the Langkawi International Aerospace and Maritime Exhibition next year, including the involvement of the US Navy Blue Angels," he added.

Austin, in a statement posted on Twitter, said they also discussed opportunities for further alignment between the US and Malaysia as the two countries pursue a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

According to the statement, the two leaders noted several significant milestones in US-Malaysia defence cooperation, including the completion of a Defence/POW-MIA (prisoners of war-missing in action) agreement in August, and a commitment to complete a new agreement to shape defence cooperation by the end of the year.

“The US stands ready to expand cooperation with Malaysia in increasingly deep and meaningful ways that will protect its sovereignty and independence, including through support for the development of Malaysia's capabilities and information sharing.

“They confirmed cooperation on a range of concrete and innovative defence initiatives aimed at ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement said.

- Bernama

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