A Malaysian Ministry of Defence delegation led by Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin visited Türkiye to strengthen defense industry cooperation between Malaysia and Türkiye.
The visit included meetings with leading Turkish defense and maritime companies, focusing on technology transfer, local production, naval programs, armored vehicles, combat management systems and long-term industrial cooperation.
The delegation’s visit also coincided with a major milestone in the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 program. Minister Nordin is set to attend the naming and launching ceremony of Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil (141), the first ship of the class being built under STM’s prime contractor role.
LMS Batch-2 Program Reaches Key Stage
The LMS Batch-2 program was launched in 2024 to provide the Royal Malaysian Navy with three new littoral mission ships. The vessels are being constructed in Türkiye, with deliveries expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The first ship, Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil, represents an important milestone in Türkiye-Malaysia naval cooperation. The program also stands out as Türkiye’s first corvette export to the Asia-Pacific region.
The ships are expected to strengthen Malaysia’s maritime defense capability and support the Royal Malaysian Navy’s fleet modernization roadmap.
MKE Talks Focus on Technology Transfer and Local Capacity
As part of the visit, Malaysian defense officials held talks with MKE in Istanbul.
The meeting focused on long-term strategic defense cooperation, technology transfer, development of local production capacity and potential joint defense industry projects.
The parties also discussed cooperation areas linked to Malaysia’s regional defense industry ambitions, including component production, assembly activities and the development of facilities in Melaka.
A key topic was the possible integration of Malaysian companies into global defense supply chains and the expansion of local industrial contribution in future programs.
DESAN Shipyard Meeting Highlights Maritime Cooperation
The Malaysian delegation also met with DESAN Shipyard to discuss shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, technical support and defense industry cooperation.
The meeting included discussions on the integration of Malaysian companies into supply chains and local production processes.
DESAN’s Multi-Purpose Mission Ship program for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and ongoing efforts to develop shipyard infrastructure in Melaka were among the key topics.
The Malaysian side emphasized that strategic defense cooperation should contribute to technology transfer and the growth of Malaysia’s domestic industrial capacity.
OTOKAR Visit Covers Armored Vehicles and Mobility Systems
During Minister Nordin’s visit to OTOKAR, the parties discussed cooperation opportunities in armored vehicle production, military mobility systems, maintenance, sustainment and technology transfer.
The discussions also covered potential cooperation with Boustead Holdings Berhad.
The partnership aims to support local production, assembly, technical support and defense industry infrastructure development in Malaysia. Both sides emphasized long-term strategic cooperation, a sustainable defense ecosystem and the strengthening of regional industrial capacity.
HAVELSAN Talks Focus on Combat Management and AI-Supported Systems
The Malaysian delegation also held talks with HAVELSAN.
The meeting focused on combat management systems, simulation technologies, AI-supported decision-support solutions and modern military operational infrastructure.
The parties also evaluated the combat management system infrastructure provided under the LMS Batch-2 program and cooperation opportunities involving Boustead Holdings Berhad.
Technology transfer, local capacity development and reducing Malaysia’s foreign dependency in defense systems were among the main priorities discussed.
Strategic Importance
The Malaysian delegation’s visit shows that Türkiye-Malaysia defense cooperation is expanding beyond direct procurement.
The relationship is increasingly moving toward industrial partnership, technology transfer, local production and long-term sustainment models.
For Malaysia, cooperation with Turkish companies supports the development of domestic defense industry capacity and modernization of naval, land and command-control capabilities.
For Türkiye, the visit strengthens its position as a defense technology partner in Southeast Asia and highlights the growing international role of Turkish companies in naval platforms, armored vehicles, ammunition, combat management systems and industrial cooperation.
With the launch of Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil and the continuation of industrial talks with Turkish companies, Türkiye-Malaysia defense relations are entering a deeper and more strategic phase.
