Malaysia hopes Japan will extend defence assistance under its OSA programme beyond 2027, strengthening defence capabilities and regional security cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes Japan’s defence assistance through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme will continue in 2027 and beyond, with a broader scope, particularly to enhance the country’s defence capabilities.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the matter was discussed during his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the third day of his working visit to Japan.
He said Malaysia expressed its appreciation to the Japanese government for the assistance provided under the programme, including the supply of counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (counter-UAV) systems to Malaysia.
“Both sides also exchanged views on security developments in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the situation in the South China Sea, with Malaysia emphasising the importance of ASEAN unity in addressing regional security challenges and preserving peace and stability in the region,” he said in a Facebook post
The meeting also touched on efforts to expand maritime cooperation, explore government-to-government (G2G) defence procurement arrangements, and a proposal to hold annual meetings between the defence ministers of both countries, following his meeting with the Japanese Defence Minister yesterday.
Mohamed Khaled said the meeting also discussed the long-standing educational ties between the two countries, including the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and the University of Tsukuba campus in Malaysia, in line with the spirit of the Look East Policy.
Malaysia regarded Japan as a trusted strategic partner, with bilateral ties expected to be further strengthened ahead of the 70th anniversary of Malaysia-Japan diplomatic relations in 2027, he added.