Govt poised to sign RM8.1bil defence, security deals

This year’s exhibition will see major improvements in terms of the number of participants and the scale of the events, defence minister Khaled Nordin (right) said at a press conference with home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is poised to ink RM8.1 billion in defence and security deals during the 18th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA 2024) and 3rd International Exhibition on National Security for Asia (Natsec) next week.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said he will sign RM6 billion in defence deals on Wednesday, during the exhibition.

“We have identified several contracts and agreements to be signed by the defence ministry worth approximately RM6 billion,” Khaled said at a press conference after going on a walkabout through the exhibition held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here.

Meanwhile, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry will concurrently sign 14 security deals worth at least RM2.1 billion.

Mitec will be hosting the 2024 DSA and Natsec from May 6-9.

Khaled said this year’s exhibition will see major improvements in terms of the number of participants and the scale of the events.

More than 1,300 companies from more than 60 countries will be attending the exhibition, spread across 34 pavilions.

“This year, we have increased the exhibition space to 48,000 sq m, along with an increase in 588 delegations from 39 countries,” he said.