KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Oct – The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has allocated approximately RM2.4 billion from the 2023 Budget to implement the enhancement of the system capability and Sustainment Program of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D aircraft.

Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussien informed that the maintenance of F/A-18D aircraft is important to ensure that the aircraft continues to be able to carry out assignments in line with current security demands.

“The maintenance of these F/A-18D aircraft will also be carried out through cooperation as a result of the close relationship between Malaysia and the United States.

“It was refined and agreed upon during my telephone conversation with the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III a few days ago,” he explained in a statement today.

In relation to the purchase of new assets, Hishammuddin explained that part of the acquisition of these assets will be made through financial planning under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK3-12) given that the annual budget provided is quite limited and insufficient.

He explained that among the planned acquisitions included the purchase of strategic assets such as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Ariel System (MALE-UAS) for the RMAF.

“For the procurement of MPA and MALE-UAS, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has finalized the two tenders. MINDEF is in the final process of issuing a Letter of Acceptance after all terms and clauses and specifications have been agreed by the Government and the company,

“For the acquisition of 2 MPAs, the government has agreed to an offer by the Leornado company. While for the procurement of 3 MALE-UAS units, the government has decided to contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI),” he added.

In addition, in order to increase the capabilities of the Malaysian Army (TDM), he explained, MINDEF will procure 136 units of Type A 4×4 Vehicles and various units of Type B Vehicles with a procurement value of RM2.049 billion.

On Friday, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz presented the 2023 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat.

Tengku Zafrul when presenting the Supply Bill 2023 announced an allocation of RM18.3 billion to the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and RM17.4 billion to MINDEF in an effort to strengthen public order and national security.

He said, this budget includes the purchase and maintenance of assets of the Malaysian Armed Forces to increase defense readiness with an allocation of almost RM4 billion.