Latest news with #MaritimePatrolAircraft
The Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia to buy military assets from Italy to enhance maritime security
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shakes hands with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni on Thursday. - Photo: Bernama ROME: Malaysia intends to purchase maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, and naval vessels from Italy to bolster its national security capabilities, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The acquisition will include two Maritime Patrol Aircraft designated for the Royal Malaysian Navy. Additionally, Malaysia also plans to procure 28 Leonardo AW149 helicopters, while the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is expected to supply multi-role support ships (MRSS) and littoral mission ships (LMS). These defence assets will help strengthen Malaysia's longstanding bilateral ties with Italy, renowned for its advanced military industry, Anwar said at his exit press conference at the conclusion of his three-day official visit to Italy Thursday (July 3). Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who accompanied the Prime Minister on the visit, added that details of the procurement would be finalised to ensure Malaysia benefits from areas such as centralised training and other cooperative opportunities. Initially, operations for the maritime patrol aircraft are expected to be based out of Batu Berendam Airport in Melaka, he noted. Mohamed Khaled also said Malaysia has proposed that the acquisitions be carried out through government-to-government (G2G) agreements. "This approach will help us secure better pricing and asset guarantees directly from the Italian Government," he explained. The Defence Ministry has also recommended exploring new areas of collaboration between the two countries in the defence sector, including artificial intelligence (AI) and underwater security command centres. Anwar arrived here on Tuesday (July 1) for a maiden official visit at the invitation of his Italian counterpart, Georgia Meloni. This is part of Anwar's three-nation visits to Italy, France and Brazil, which form part of Malaysia's ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation at the global level. Anwar will later depart for Paris, where he is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day stay there. Subsequently, Anwar will attend the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. - Bernama
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
First maritime patrol aircraft to arrive by end 2026
TURIN (Italy): Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic). The Defence Minister said they are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900mil, finalised in 2023, to strengthen the country's defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. 'As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. 'More importantly, they will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities,' he said during a working visit to Leonardo's facility here, Bernama reported. Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) chief Jeneral Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Mohamed Khaled said the aircraft, with its airframe built in Toulouse, France, will be outfitted with advanced systems, including anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance the Malaysian Armed Forces' (ATM) readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in South China Sea. 'We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts, so these acquisitions will greatly aid the country. 'As of now, project progress has exceeded 60% and remains on schedule. We are satisfied with the ongoing work carried out by Leonardo,' he said. The MPA procurement is part of TUDM's acquisition plan outlined under its Capability Development Plan 2055, which envisions the acquisition of six MPAs in phases.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia expected to receive first Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Italy by end of 2026
TURIN: Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said both aircraft are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900 million, finalised in 2023 to strengthen the country's defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. "As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. "More importantly, the aircraft will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities," he said during a working visit to Leonardo's facility here on Monday. Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Khaled said the aircraft, whose airframe is built in Toulouse, France, will be outfitted with advanced systems including anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance the armed forces' readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in the increasingly complex South China Sea. "We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts, so these acquisitions will greatly aid the country. "As of now, project progress has exceeded 60 per cent and remains on schedule. We are satisfied with the ongoing work carried out by Leonardo," he said. The MPA procurement is part of the RMAF acquisition plan outlined under its Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP 55), which envisions the acquisition of six MPAs in phases. The MPAs to be received by the RMAF are designated as P-72M and are based on the widely used commercial ATR 72-600 aircraft, which is especially common in Southeast Asia. The P-72M's primary roles include anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare missions. Its secondary roles include search and rescue operations, surveillance of Malaysia's maritime zones, joint operations with armed forces units, and inter-agency enforcement with other government and security bodies.
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's first Italian-built maritime patrol aircraft set for 2026 delivery, says defence minister
TURIN (Italy), May 13 — Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said both aircraft are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900 million, finalised in 2023 to strengthen the country's defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. 'As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. 'More importantly, the aircraft will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities,' he said during a working visit to Leonardo's facility here on Monday. Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Mohamed Khaled said the aircraft, whose airframe is built in Toulouse, France, will be outfitted with advanced systems including anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin speaks to the media after conducting an industrial visit to the facility of Italian defence company Turin May 13, 2025. — Bernama pic He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance the Malaysian Armed Forces' (MAF) readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in the increasingly complex South China Sea. 'We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts, so these acquisitions will greatly aid the country. 'As of now, project progress has exceeded 60 per cent and remains on schedule. We are satisfied with the ongoing work carried out by Leonardo,' he said. The MPA procurement is part of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) acquisition plan outlined under its Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP 55), which envisions the acquisition of six MPAs in phases. The MPAs to be received by the RMAF are designated as P-72M and are based on the widely used commercial ATR 72-600 aircraft, which is especially common in Southeast Asia. The P-72M's primary roles include anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare missions. Its secondary roles include search and rescue operations, surveillance of Malaysia's maritime zones, joint operations with MAF units, and inter-agency enforcement with other government and security bodies. — Bernama
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Expected To Receive First MPA From Italy By End-2026
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin during a briefing session with Stefano Bortoli, Managing Director of Leonardos Aeronautics Division, in conjunction with an industrial visit to the Italian defence company's facility. From Mohamad Harith Mohamad Nizar TURIN (Italy), May 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said both aircraft are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900 million, finalised in 2023 to strengthen the country's defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. 'As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. 'More importantly, the aircraft will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities,' he said during a working visit to Leonardo's facility here on Monday. Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Mohamed Khaled said the aircraft, whose airframe is built in Toulouse, France, will be outfitted with advanced systems including anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance the Malaysian Armed Forces' (MAF) readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in the increasingly complex South China Sea. 'We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts, so these acquisitions will greatly aid the country.
