KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has inked RM4.6bil worth of signings during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition and Conference and National Security (Natsec) Asia 2022 here.

       The signings comprised 20 letters of acceptance (LOA), 24 contracts, seven letters of intent (LOI) and three memoranda of understanding.

       Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the 20 LOAs were worth RM1.14bil while the 24 contracts were worth RM3.32bil and seven LOIs worth RM152.79mil.

       "I would like to emphasise that despite the economic impact of the pandemic and working within the budget allocated to the Defence Ministry and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), we are committed to ensuring our defence and security readiness remains at an optimum level," he said after attending the signing ceremony at the DSA and Natsec here on Wednesday (March 30).

       In addition to the signings, the procurement of new assets for the MAF includes armoured personnel carriers to be deployed with Malbatt 850 in Lebanon, 155mm self-propelled howitzers, logistic support bridges for the Royal Army Engineers, three-tonne GS cargo trucks for mobility and logistics, and light anti-tank weapon anti-structure for the special forces in the army.

       "For the Royal Malaysian Navy, the new assets that are in the pipeline are three Italian-made AW 139 utility helicopters.

       "A second batch of three littoral mission ships that will be equipped with more sophisticated weapon systems to complement the existing four is also planned for next year, subject to approval by the Economic Planning Unit," said Hishammuddin.

       He said for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, currently underway are 36 new fighter-lead-in-trainer/light combat aircraft to be acquired over two phases of 18 aircraft each.

       There are plans in place to procure three long-range air defence radars, medium-range air defence radar, unmanned aerial surveillance, medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft, he said.

       On plans to purchase Hornet aircraft from Kuwait, Hishammuddin said they are in place but involve bilateral relations.

       Asked if there was any guarantee from the Russian government for spare parts for the Sukhoi aircraft, he said the Ukraine situation could change the landscape in defence industries.

       "We all have to find ways to navigate this change," he said.