KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has entered a new era of local defence development with the launch of the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), seen as a key driver of the Defence Ministry’s strategic transformation. Mohamed Khaled said the main objective of DIPN is to reduce reliance on foreign technology while strengthening local capabilities through close collaboration between the public and private sectors, shifting the focus from maintenance to high-value manufacturing and technological innovation. As part of DIPN’s rollout, the Malaysia Defence Industry Portal (PIPM) was also introduced as an integrated digital platform serving as an information hub for the national defence industry ecosystem. “It will serve as a one-stop centre for industry players to collaborate, access technology, and develop competitive defence products,” he added. Mohamed Khaled highlighted several national defence projects, including the development of local defence satellites, laser defence systems, ground vehicle chassis manufacturing capabilities, weapon systems, passive radar, loitering munition systems (kamikaze drones), and defence simulators.

Source: The Star January 22, 2026 11:01 UTC