Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Army will feature a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) segment at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (NATSEC) 2026 exhibitions from April 20 to 23. Army Chief Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman said the segment, introduced for the first time, will showcase the Malaysian Army's preparedness in addressing threats involving such hazardous materials.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azhan mentioned that the CBRNE Arena will demonstrate the Army's readiness in terms of detection in contaminated areas and deactivation or decontamination processes. He highlighted that there will be talks and demonstrations by relevant agencies involved in CBRNE handling. This year's DSA and NATSEC are expected to bring together about 1,400 international companies from more than 60 countries, attracting over 50,000 visitors from more than 100 countries.
Among the main highlights is the opening ceremony by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on April 20, as well as the Putrajaya Forum themed ASEAN Security in the Age of Emerging Technologies, featuring a keynote address by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah. The exhibition will also feature new segments, including firearms and tactical gear as well as the DSA and ASEAN Lab, in addition to a combined pavilion of the local defence industry involving 57 companies.
Azhan stated that through this platform, the exhibition not only showcases assets but also provides opportunities for discussions and engagement with foreign delegations to deliberate on current developments and the future direction of defence. He emphasized that DSA and NATSEC, which integrate conventional defence and internal security dimensions, enable the implementation of a more comprehensive security approach.
He further explained that the platform serves as an important avenue to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations, particularly among ASEAN countries, through meetings, forums, and strategic dialogue sessions. Commenting on the conflict situation in West Asia, Azhan noted that it has not affected the organization of DSA and NATSEC 2026 so far, with no withdrawals reported among participating countries.
He reiterated that Malaysia will continue to act as a neutral and trusted convener in bringing together policymakers, industry players, and research and development stakeholders to strengthen the national defence industry ecosystem. Additionally, he mentioned that the national defence industry policy, which stipulates 30 per cent local content in every procurement, has positively impacted the development of the domestic industry. Investments in the defence industry are crucial for safeguarding national sovereignty while generating economic growth.