Malaysia is open to considering the procurement of weapon systems from any country willing to offer technology sharing and transfer, provided the terms are based on mutual trust and strategic partnership, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said Malaysia, as a neutral nation, has long sourced military equipment from multiple countries, as long as procurement agreements support national interests and industrial development goals.
In a broader defence policy context, he stressed that future acquisitions will increasingly prioritise countries that are prepared not only to supply equipment but also to act as long-term partners in building Malaysia’s defence capabilities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he said Malaysia’s new direction focuses on strengthening self-reliance and developing the local defence industry through technology transfer agreements.
He noted that Malaysia has already benefited from such arrangements with countries including Türkiye, South Korea, and Australia, which have supported the country’s efforts to enhance its regional defence capacity.
During the second day of the security forum, he also held bilateral discussions with defence counterparts from Singapore, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Thailand.
He is also scheduled to meet Norway’s Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik, where he intends to express Malaysia’s dissatisfaction over the cancellation of export licences for a missile system previously intended for Malaysian use.
In a wider diplomatic context, such procurement disputes often highlight the complexities of international defence trade, where political considerations and export regulations can directly affect long-term military planning.
“I will convey our displeasure and disappointment that a country like Norway would take such a decision,” he said.
Separately, responding to remarks by United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urging allies to increase defence spending instead of relying on Washington, Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia will continue to set its own defence priorities independently.
He acknowledged the US position as part of broader global security discussions, noting that every nation has the right to shape its own defence policy based on national circumstances.
He added that Malaysia remains committed to strengthening its defence capabilities in a balanced manner, taking into account the need to allocate national resources across multiple development sectors to ensure long-term sustainability.
