MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES STRIVING FOR MODERNISATION, PROFESSIONALISM

By Norshazlina Nor'Azman

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces, which will be
celebrating its 76th anniversary Wednesday, is striving to be the forerunner in
modernisation and professionalism.

Its eminence is manifested by diverse up-to-date weapons, frigates and jet
fighters and the recent procurement of a submarine, KD Tunku Andul Rahman.

For the first time in the history of the armed forces, Gen Azizan Ariffin
became the first Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief to helm the armed
forces, succeeding General Abdul Aziz Zainal of the army, who retired after 40
years of service.

Azizan, who assumed the job on Sept 1, would carry on where Abdul Aziz left
to take the armed forces toward the fourth dimension of a credible, formidable
and dynamic outfit in protecting the nation's sovereignty.

He said the transformation would be based on the armed forces readiness to
strengthen its defence system through the purchase of modern and latest
equipment and assets.

"The armed forces will not compromise and look back, but with resolve,
fighting spirit and determination will defend our air space, land and maritime
from encroachment.

"The process of transformation will be implemented in stages until it
reaches the level of an 'objective force' where the armed forces will be a
balance, credible, integrated and ready to face challenges in all spectrum of
conflicts," he told Bernama in an interview at the Defence Ministry here.

Azizan said the procurement of assets for the branches of the armed forces
was appropriate in line with the armed forces objective of becoming an
effective, balance and high calibre outfit.

He stressed that the purchase of defence assets by the armed forces was not
a waste of public fund but instead an investment or an insurance policy for
defence and security of the country.

"For example, the presence of a submarine in the Royal Malaysian Navy's
(RMN) inventory is very important in beefing up the firepower and capability of
the national defence. It is a strategic asset which could enhance the
credibility of the armed forces in preventing encroachment from undesirable
elements," he said.

He said the readiness of the armed forces is important because the world is
confronted not only with conventional warfare but was also facing crimes which
are becoming complicated.

"They ride on the waves of information technology explosion besides changes
in the world geopolitics position which prompted all quarters to make changes to
the doctrine and strategy in the face of changes.

"Being aware that emergency could strike at any time, the armed forces must
be ready although Malaysia and the region is peaceful and free from conventional
warfare.

"However, if conflicts erupted, we must make effort to solve the problem
through diplomacy first before taking any military action. To prevent conflict,
the first strategy is to maintain peace," he said.

Azizan said looking at the uncertain political scenario, the armed forces
should be developed by integrating the four domains of warfare - land, maritime,
air space and information technology.

"As such, from this year, the armed forces began to evolve into the fourth
dimension, that is the transformation era which focused on the integration and
capability of various dimensions.

"This will enable the armed forces to build an effective synergy. The main
features which should be harnessed by the armed forces in the transformation are
integration, preventive measures and versatility," he said.

He said in general, the transformation era had began and would be completed
by 2020 when Malaysia become a developed country.

On the army, he said it would continue with the Strategic Army 2 10 Plus 10
Strategic Plan by strengthening the organisational structure, weaponry, human
capital, equipments and accommodations to turn it into an objective force.

On the reduction of 20 per cent in the 2010 Budget for the armed forces, he
said it would not affect the overall upgrading of the national defence system.

"The enhancement and upgrading of the national defence system is a
continuous affair in ensuring that the armed forces assets keep steps with the
latest technology.

"However, this will be carried out in stages and according to the priority
according the allocations under each development plan," he said.

Azizan said the RMN would try to procure new assets to replace old ones
which were over 25 years and hand them over to the Malaysian Maritime
Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

This include submarines, frigates, Littoral Combatant Ship, trainer
frigates, mines sweepers and anti-submarine helicopters.

On the RMAF plan to acquire F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets, he said a
study would be conducted to be carried out to determine the appropriate aircraft
for its strategic plan and the budget.

Besides 18 Sukhoi fighter jets, the RMAF is equipped with 16 MIG-29
Fulcrum fighter jets (both Russian made) and eight F/A-18 Hornets (American)
while four Airbus A400M aircraft will be delivered in stages.
-- BERNAMA