M'sia wants to collaborate with other Asean members in defence industry: Zahid

LANGKAWI: Malaysia wants to collaborate with other Asean member countries to reap the opportunities from the growth in the defence industry in the region which is projected to generate about US$100 billion (RM442 billion) by 2030.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said that Malaysia has been producing a number of good components and would be willing to share its technology and knowledge with the other Asean members.
"Asean (countries) should not be regarded only as end users (in the defence industry) but should upgrade themselves to friendly collaborators of industry system integrators," he told reporters after attending the official opening of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 (LIMA '17) by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here.
He said the LIMA '17 which attracted more than 500 exhibitors worldwide to Langkawi can be a stage for Asean members to explore further the opportunity for collaboration in the defence industry.
"We should not be left behind in the (development of the) defence industry. We want to go along to participate in the industry," he added. — Bernama