Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is targeting the transfer of defence technology from Turkiye in several identified areas by the end of this year, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He emphasized that technology transfer is crucial for the development of the country's defence industry, spearheaded by local companies, especially in sectors such as management systems, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of naval weaponry, and the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled stated that Malaysian companies have been identified to engage with Turkish counterparts to explore suitable avenues for collaboration and cooperation. He shared these insights with reporters following his meeting with Prof Dr Haluk Gorgun, the president of the Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), during the ongoing International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025. The SSB is the agency tasked with managing Turkiye's defence industry and military technology.
Further elaborating on the bilateral engagements, Mohamed Khaled mentioned his meeting with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler, where discussions centered on advancing defence cooperation between Malaysia and Turkiye. This includes initiatives like sending Malaysian officers and personnel for training, including pilot training. Additionally, they explored defence diplomacy strategies to enhance bilateral understanding and prevent conflicts.
In separate discussions, Mohamed Khaled engaged with Azerbaijan's Minister of Defence Industry, Vugar Mustafayev, focusing on the challenges Islamic countries face in defence and military matters. He also met with Sudan's Defence Minister, Hassan Daoud Kayan, expressing Malaysia's willingness to provide defence and military training to Sudan.
During the fair, Mohamed Khaled, along with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, visited several defence industry booths. He also witnessed the exchange of agreement documents by Turkish companies set to participate in the upcoming Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (NATSEC) 2026 exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, he oversaw the signing of memoranda of understanding between Malaysian and Turkish companies in various defence and military-related fields.