Photo: Bernama
SUBANG JAYA: Matters regarding the procurement of light combat aircraft will be raised again in the current Cabinet, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
When met today at the Subang Air Base, the Defence Minister said that the purchase of the 18 planes had already been approved previously.
"We will ask again so that this new Cabinet can endorse what had been previously approved.
"We are buying planes, not wheelbarrows so we can't just buy it today and receive it tomorrow," he said, adding that they were targeting a completion date of 2025.
He added that Malaysia must also enhance its technological capabilities, especially in cyberwarfare.
"It is not just for the defence of our country, everything is cyber now," he said.
The minister also jokingly said that his party had not used current technologies and relied on the old ways of holding ceramah (political talks) at villages, which led to losses during the 15th General Election (GE15).
On the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in May, Mohamad Hasan said that the response from exhibitors has been very good.
"We sent about 600 invites and around 80% have responded that they will take part. LIMA is not only for us to view new assets from outside but it is also an opportunity to meet and have strategic defence diplomacy," he said.
Earlier today, Mohamad had a working visit to the airbase, where he met serving airmen and inspected assets on hand.
He said that "head to toe" issues of those serving will always be a priority for him.
"I have stressed the prioritising of their welfare and housing. When they and their family are comfortable, we (the ministry) can perform our duties well," he said.
