Is Malaysia Defense Industry Geared towards Self Reliance Capability? A Conceptual Analysis

Malaysia defense industry has shown a remarkable achievement in the production, maintenance and supply of defense asset and equipment for the nation. Beginning with the establishment of AIROD in 1976 to support RMAF in aircraft maintenance, the industries has now registered a multi-billion project, with the latest is the production of RM8 billion littoral combat ship (LCS) for the RMN. This paper provides a conceptual analysis on the development of Malaysia self-reliance in the context of defense industry. National self-reliance is defined as the ability of Malaysia to produce, use, maintain and supply major defense asset and equipment without external or foreign support. The approach of the study is qualitative where data are gathered thorough literature study, visit to the defense industrial area and interviewed with the key person in respective industry players for defense. It is found that the nation self-reliance is still in the early stage of development and the way forward is very optimistic if the framework governing the self-reliance is well established. This study provides conceptual analysis on national self-reliance of defense industry in Malaysia.