KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence White Paper (DWP) will be presented before the end of the 14th Parliamentary session. Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said the presentation included the ministry’s planning, military equipment and the involvement of the people in this country in strengthening the country’s defence. In addition, he said the Royal Malaysian Air Force Capability Development Plan (RMAF) 2055, otherwise known as CAP55 (Capability Development 55), was improved from previous government plans.

“Of course CAP55 is the plan of the previous government, which is good for us to go on and on”.

“We look to modernization, for example, when it comes to radar, UAVs, drones. These are all new technologies in defence of the country”.

“So DWP will go in that direction because the jets are expensive but sometimes the drones are cheaper and can do the job of the jets,” Mohamad said in response to Wong Hon Wai’s (PH-Bukit Bendera) question asking if the Defence White Paper would be presented.

In addition, Mohamad said the RMAF would continue to maintain the F/A-18D Hornet and Su-30MKM fighter aircraft for the duration of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and 13MP.

However, the latest requirements are the acquisition of Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MALE UAV) as well as light combat capability and pilot training through Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) acquisition to enhance the capabilities and readiness of the RMAF.

Mohamad said this in response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s (PAS-Pasir Mas) original question about the government’s willingness to accept the Russian government’s offer to take back the 28 Sukhoi Su-30MKM and MIG-29 fighter jets of the RMAF if Malaysia were to replace it with a new support aircraft for the country.