Uphill battle to get new
arms suppliers, says expert
Defence specialist Lam Choong Wah says a small country like Malaysia will have trouble getting replacements for Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have trouble getting new arms suppliers if it decides to stop buying from traditional suppliers Lockheed Martin and MBDA (BAE Systems), according to a defence expert.
Lam Choong Wah of Universiti Malaya said finding viable alternatives to these two arms suppliers will be difficult for a small country such as Malaysia.
“This is unlike the big countries such as China and Russia which even have the option to ban them,” he told FMT.
Lam was commenting on a proposal by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the government immediately shows the two defence contractors the door.
The call was echoed by Bersatu and the pro-Palestine group Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin (SSP).
On Monday, Mahathir said the government should immediately expel contractors that supply arms to Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Both companies are participating in the 18th Defence Services Asia and Asia National Security Conference and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur from May 6 to May 9.
In response to Mahathir’s call, defence minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Malaysia will not interfere in the ties that global defence companies have with other countries.
Lam said the two companies are crucial not only for Malaysia’s defence infrastructure but also for other pro-Palestine countries.
“Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems are among the largest arms producers in the world and many pro-Palestine countries, including Malaysia, maintain close cooperation with them,” he pointed out.
Lockheed Martin has substantial business in pro-Palestine regions, including the Middle East.
On Aug 23, last year, it sold 24 Black Hawk helicopters to Indonesia and later secured a deal to supply F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. The deal was approved by the US government in January.
A researcher on defence studies, who chose to remain anonymous, told FMT that Lockheed Martin sells arms to any interested party, and not exclusively to Israel.
“Many countries purchase weapons to stockpile their reserves in preparation (for conflicts). Only pro-Palestine countries are likely to participate in the boycott,” he said.
He added that global powers will also continue to support Lockheed Martin.
Keuanan mob playing stupid politics
ReplyDeleteKampung idiots
Buy Russia
ReplyDeleteBuy China
Buy Turkey
Buy India.
Plenty of choices in the market, but these are mainly 2nd or 3rd tier sources.
If you want or need the Best defence equipment it's the Wankees , Brits or Europeans that you want.
Wakakakaka…
DeleteThose Best defence equipments purchased from the Wankees , Brits or Europeans come with caveats - there r looks for the big price & their operations r restricted to basic military engagement!
The backstory is Malaysia is intending to purchase targeting pods for precision munitions to fit to its F/A-18 Hornets.
ReplyDeleteManufactured by ...Yup.. Lockheed Martin..that BDS , Mahathir and PAS wants Malaysia to boycott...
There is a South Korean-made alternative that nevertheless is a joint venture with Lockheed Martin..
Madalaysian Government probably has no choice but to ignore BDS and the rest of the pro-Hamas mob in this case.
What other choices when u have already been restrainted by the earlier purchase?
DeleteU just have to following up with add-ons designed by the manufacturer. An untold truth of weaponry procured from these western arm merchants!