MOHAMED KHALED ARRIVES IN ITALY FOR TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT

By Mohamad Harith Mohamad Nizar

TURIN (Italy), May 11 (Bernama) -- Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has arrived here today for a two-day official working visit to Turin.

Arriving at the Malpensa Airport in Milan with a delegation from his ministry, Mohamed Khaled was welcomed by Malaysian Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam; Defence Attaché in Rome, Capt Mohd Kindil Md Akim; and Consul and Trade Commissioner in Milan, Ravidran Manogaran.

Also present in the official working visit are Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan and Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud.

Mohamed Khaled is scheduled to conduct an industrial visit to the facilities of aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo, besides inspecting the development of the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) construction in Turin.

The acquisition of the MPA is part of the RMAF’s procurement strategy outlined in its Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP 55), under which six MPAs are planned to be procured in phases.

The phased acquisition of the MPA is being carried out through allocations under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), 13MP and 14MP, with approval for the aircraft procurement as a critical requirement granted under Rolling Plan 4, involving the first-phase purchase of two MPAs worth RM899 million.

Mohamed Khaled is also scheduled to depart for Berlin, Germany, on Monday to attend the 2025 United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Ministerial forum.

-- BERNAMA