US UNDERSCORES LONGSTANDING DEFENCE COOPERATION WITH MALAYSIA AT LIMA'25

By Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli

LANGKAWI, May 22 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) is committed to further strengthening its defence cooperation with Malaysia, which it regards as a long-standing and valued security partner in the region.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama at the sidelines of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA’25), US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan highlighted the strong military-to-military collaboration between the two countries.

He said the US, while satisfied with the level of bilateral cooperation on a broad range of security issues, is keen to enhance joint capabilities in response to evolving regional threats.

“This includes cooperation between our Coast Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and also with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Royal Malaysia Police. We think it's a very good story,” he said, adding that the US has been a steadfast partner of Malaysia since its independence.

Kagan also stressed that Malaysia’s sovereignty, prosperity and independence are aligned with US strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and affirmed that Washington is ready to support Kuala Lumpur in areas deemed necessary.

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He also acknowledged remarks by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin regarding the importance of joint efforts to counter foreign encroachments into Malaysian territory and waters.

“… we are committed to working with Malaysia to the extent that Malaysia wants to make sure that Malaysia has the tools and the means to be able to assert its own sovereignty.

“We have 14 exercises every year between our militaries. We have an extraordinary level of cooperation. (There are) A lot of Malaysians who go for training and study in the US, (and) Americans who come to Malaysia. We think this is part of what gives our forces the ability to work together to face common threats,” he added.

Kagan also emphasised the importance of shared values in defending international rules and norms, especially in the face of increasing maritime tensions.

“We can work together to deal with common threats, including those countries which don't respect international rules and norms, that don't abide by the UN (United Nations) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), that don't respect Malaysia's sovereignty,” he said.

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He also pointed to the increasing sophistication of joint exercises between the two nations, including the participation of Australian forces and unprecedented operations spanning both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

“We had, for the first time, an airdrop, a joint airdrop, where aircraft took off from Peninsular Malaysia and dropped paratroopers in Borneo, in Sabah. So, I think all that reflects the growing complexity and sophistication of what we are trying to do together,” he added.

Moving forward, Kagan said the US is keen to deepen cooperation in emerging domains such as cybersecurity, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and sustainable aerospace solutions.

“We think there's a lot of potential in those areas. First of all, it's interoperability. Whatever the technology is, we think it's very much in our interest and we hope it's also in Malaysia's interest, that we have an ability to work together,” he said.

He cited the US provision of ScanEagle UAVs to the Royal Malaysian Navy as an example of successful technology transfer aimed at improving maritime domain awareness.

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“But also, there's making sure that our forces know how to best use the technology and have an understanding of what each other's strengths and capabilities are,” he said while praising the professionalism and skills of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Highlighting the strong US presence at LIMA'25, Kagan said that although adverse weather had affected a planned aerial demonstration, the US’ showcase reflects the depth of its military engagement in the region.

“It (the aerial demonstration) was going to include two B-52s (bombers), 10 aircraft flyby of F-18s and an E-2D off the USS Nimitz, which was in the area and also two F-18s, which did do a flyby, a low-level pass. All that had to be scratched because of the weather, other than the two F-18s,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said several key platforms remained on static display, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, MH-60, C-130 and C-12 aircraft.

“We think it (not only) reflects both the breadth and the depth of the US military engagement with Malaysia, but also shows that we're sharing and bringing to bear a lot of our different technologies,” Kagan said.

Reflecting on LIMA’25, Kagan described the exhibition as a critical platform to reaffirm US support for Malaysia’s defence aspirations and regional leadership.

“It's in our interest to find ways in which we can do more things together. We think that's good for the US, we also believe it's good for Malaysia. We are very appreciative of how much support Malaysia has put into strengthening the security cooperation in recent years,” he added.

-- BERNAMA