Russia-Ukraine conflict doesn’t impact our defence assets, says Hisham

 

Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysia has sufficient spare parts stock to maintain its Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft for another two years.

KUALA LUMPUR: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has no impact on Malaysia’s defence assets and the readiness of its armed forces, says defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Although the defence ministry (Mindef) has a contract with Russia for the supply of Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft spare parts, Hishammuddin told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia was looking at other countries to source for arms and munitions.

“The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has no major implications on the procurement and planning of national defence assets, nor on the readiness of the armed forces to protect our national security, stability and sovereignty.

“Malaysia has sufficient spare parts stock to maintain its Sukhoi aircraft for another two years.

“To ensure the readiness of our armed forces’ assets, Mindef will expand its sourcing of spare parts to other countries which use the same technology, such as India,” he said.

The Sembrong MP said Mindef had been looking to reduce Malaysia’s dependence on Russia for military assets long before the country’s current conflict with Ukraine.

Apart from spare parts for the Sukhoi aircraft, Mindef also has a contract with Russia for the supply of Metis-M anti-tank missiles.

Meanwhile, on the unilateral sanctions against Russia, Hishammuddin reiterated comments made last week by foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah on Malaysia’s stance.

Hishammuddin said any sanctions must be implemented through the United Nations.

He also echoed comments by the international trade and industry ministry that trade relations between Malaysia and Russia were at a minimum. - FMT