Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was important to prevent Malaysia and countries in the region from being left behind in the modernisation of arms and military technology.
"As such I have always informed defence companies wishing to have collaboration with us to consider us as partners, not as a consumer country only," he told reporters at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition 2013, here today.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that in the purchase of the multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA), his ministry drew up several elements which needed to be fulfilled by the aircraft supplying company.
Among them were aspects of technology transfer and offer of training to Malaysians.
On the lack of big names in the defence sector at the on-going LIMA, Ahmad Zahid said the current economic crisis may have affected some defence companies such as those from Europe. -- BERNAMA
Read more at News Straits Times
Post a Comment