Malaysia and US sign new defence cooperation MoU and renew agreements during ADMM-Plus meeting, enhancing bilateral partnership.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United States have strengthened their defence cooperation through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth formalised the agreement to enhance collaboration on regional peace and security.
Both leaders also announced the renewal of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement during their bilateral meeting.
They reaffirmed commitment to finalising additional bilateral agreements covering communications and information sharing.
The ministers recognised defence cooperation as a fundamental pillar of the US-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both parties committed to maintaining maritime security in the South China Sea as a vital corridor.
Minister Mohamed Khaled expressed concerns about grey-zone tactics threatening regional sovereignty.
He specifically highlighted hydrographic research conducted under foreign coast guard protection as provocation.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of communication to prevent military miscalculation.
They agreed to pursue military modernisation and interoperability for enhanced readiness.
The partnership includes 14 bilateral and multilateral exercises conducted jointly.
Recent joint long-range precision live fire exercises in the Straits of Malacca demonstrated this cooperation.
Three hundred Malaysian officials attend military training programmes in the United States annually.
Secretary Hegseth thanked Malaysia for its leadership as ASEAN Chair.
He acknowledged Malaysia’s role in supporting US mediation efforts between Thailand and Cambodia.
Minister Mohamed Khaled welcomed US commitment to support ASEAN observer teams.
Both ministers anticipate meeting again next year at the Pentagon in Washington DC.
The agreements solidify over 40 years of bilateral defence ties between the two nations. – Bernama
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