Malaysia: Malaysia must urgently invest in shipbuilding expertise, design capabilities and strong governance to maintain its competitiveness in the regional defence sector, according to Maritime Defence Sector Forum 2025 organising committee chairman First Admiral (Rtd) Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Omar.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Murad emphasized the importance of keeping pace with global advancements in warship design, highlighting that each generation of vessels possesses a lifecycle of approximately 30 to 35 years. After this period, maintenance becomes excessively costly, making replacement necessary. He addressed this concern to forum participants at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Hotel and Residences, drawing parallels with the Royal Navy's progression from the Leander class in the 1960s to the Type 23 in the 1990s, and now the stealth-capable Type 26.
Ahmad Murad, who has trained in Glasgow shipyards, pointed out the critical role of apprenticeship and hands-on training in maintaining shipbuilding expertise and noted the importance of retaining skilled workers to sustain the industry. He stressed that while Malaysia often seeks 'proven designs' for defence acquisitions, local shipbuilding sectors must be allowed room to learn, make mistakes, and improve, as this is essential for industry maturity and competitiveness.
He further highlighted that technology and infrastructure are inadequate without integrity and accountability. Addressing issues of corruption and governance, he urged the sector to acknowledge weaknesses and find solutions, noting that honesty and sincerity must guide the industry's development.
The forum, themed 'Powering Defence Through Shipbuilding Excellence', gathered policymakers, defence industry leaders, naval commanders, and maritime professionals to discuss Malaysia's future as a resilient and technologically advanced maritime nation. Panel discussions featured insights from key figures, including Datuk Nonee Ashirin Mohd Radzi, president of the Coalition of Defence Industry Malaysia (CDIM), and Hasry Harun, CEO of Strategic Defence Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, Maritime Strategic Association of Malaysia (MASTRA) president Mohd Mazlan Abdul Manaf stated that the forum aimed to unite stakeholders and share strategies for overcoming geopolitical and technological challenges in maritime defence. A coordinated and sustained effort involving all stakeholders is deemed essential to tackle these challenges.
In his keynote address, Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and policy alignment to build a robust shipbuilding sector that would enhance national defence and drive economic growth through the Blue Economy.
The Maritime Defence Sector Forum 2025 was organised by MASTRA, a non-profit association founded in 2018, which promotes collaboration, innovation, and strategic advancement across Malaysia's maritime sector.