Malaysia Recognises Significant Development With France's Defence Industries

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has recognised "significant development" in cooperation with the French defence industries, said Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. Hishammuddin, who described France as a "close European partner" of Malaysia in defence, also said the two countries would strengthen intelligence sharing to combat the threat of Daesh. In a statement released here at the end of his two-day working visit to France, he said: "With regards to the Defence Industry Working Group, there are many programmes that France has committed to the development of Malaysia’s Armed Forces. "Currently, we are collaborating on the building of the Littoral Combat Ship, the refit of our submarines, analysing offset programmes for the Airbus A400M and EC725. "Subsequently, in the Education and Training Working Group, we discussed several courses that the National Defence University of Malaysia has introduced in cooperation with French institutes," said Hishamuddin who was in Paris to attend the third Malaysia-France Defence Joint High Strategic Committee Meeting. He said the meeting highlighted "high levels" of commitment by both governments in ensuring the success of their strategic defence cooperation. "We touched on a broad spectrum of issues of strategic importance and operational interests for both our countries. "In addition, we also deliberated on concerns regarding the dynamic global security landscape and will strengthen intelligence sharing between France and Malaysia in efforts to counter the growing threat of Islamic State (Daesh), especially with regards to returning fighters from territories lost in Iraq and Syria," he said. The meeting was jointly chaired by Hishammuddin and French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. -- BERNAMA