A total of 171 military assets across all three branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) have exceeded 30 years of service, highlighting the growing challenges posed by aging equipment. The issue, a matter of national security concern, was raised by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin during a parliamentary session in response to a query from Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Kepong).
In his response, Mohamed Khaled revealed the breakdown of these aging assets, noting that 108 belong to the Malaysian Army, 29 to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), and 34 to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). These assets, which have surpassed three decades of service, face increasingly difficult maintenance, higher operational costs, and diminishing technological capabilities, threatening the overall efficiency of the nation’s military forces.
“The operational lifespan of military assets varies according to their respective functions,” the minister explained, although he refrained from specifying which types of assets were most affected beyond the 30-year mark.
The issue of aging military equipment is not a new concern for Malaysia, but it has gained increased urgency in recent years as regional security threats evolve and Malaysia faces a dynamic geopolitical landscape. Military leaders have been openly acknowledging the limitations of their current arsenal, which is increasingly outdated and outclassed by modern technologies in neighboring countries.
Earlier this month, Malaysia Armed Forces (MAF) chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman highlighted the particular strain on the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). During a press conference following the 91st ATM Anniversary celebration at Camp Segenting, General Mohammad disclosed that 34 RMN vessels had already surpassed their intended service life, with 28 of those exceeding 40 years in operation.
The general’s statements underscored the urgency of replacing these vessels, many of which no longer meet modern naval standards in terms of capability, technological sophistication, or cost-efficiency. The RMN currently operates 53 ships across various classes to meet operational and patrol demands within Malaysia’s extensive maritime zones. However, the age of many of these vessels creates growing risks for operational readiness.
“The RMN faces significant challenges because many of these vessels have exceeded their optimal lifespan,” General Mohammad said. “This creates a dilemma in terms of their capability, the technology required to keep them up to date, and the increasing cost of maintenance.”
He further elaborated on the RMN’s age limits for various classes of vessels. Submarines have a 35-year operational life, while frigates, corvettes, logistics ships, and next-generation patrol vessels have an upper limit of 30 years. Smaller vessels such as fast patrol boats, mine warfare ships, and tugboats have an even shorter operational lifespan of just 24 years.
While defense budgets around the world face competing priorities, Malaysia’s situation is further compounded by the disproportionate costs required to maintain these aging military assets. As equipment passes its optimal service life, repairs become more frequent and expensive, while the effectiveness of the equipment itself diminishes.
For instance, many of the older ships, aircraft, and ground vehicles in Malaysia’s military inventory suffer from outdated systems, reduced operational ranges, and limited interoperability with newer technologies. This has direct implications for Malaysia’s strategic capabilities, particularly in maritime security where the country is tasked with patrolling vast areas of ocean, including parts of the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca, both of which are critical to international shipping and regional stability.
“Many of our ships and aircraft cannot effectively perform the duties they are assigned to because they have reached a point where even the best maintenance practices cannot overcome the limitations imposed by their age,” said one defense analyst. “It also poses a real challenge in terms of interoperability with modern systems, which is crucial in today’s defense environment, especially when we are looking to work more closely with regional and international partners.”
The issue of military procurement and asset maintenance has long been a thorny topic in Malaysia. In recent years, the country’s defense system has been criticized for inefficiencies, mismanagement, and corruption, all of which have hindered efforts to modernize the armed forces in a timely manner.
In July 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the need for a comprehensive overhaul of Malaysia’s military procurement system. Speaking to the public, Anwar emphasized that Malaysia’s defense assets, including ships, aircraft, and tanks, must be aligned with the country’s economic growth, strategic objectives, and evolving security challenges.
“I highlight this issue because military veterans, the armed forces, and all Malaysians understand that defense preparedness is crucial,” said Anwar. “We propose that the procurement system be restructured, free from external interference, so that we can empower our service chiefs to select the best warships, aircraft, tanks, and other equipment. This process must be transparent, free of the recurring issues of excessive commissions that have historically undermined our military’s operational readiness.”
His call for reform echoed concerns long held by military officials and independent analysts. For decades, Malaysia’s procurement practices have been criticized for their opacity and susceptibility to corruption, often resulting in the selection of suboptimal equipment and the delay or cancellation of much-needed upgrades.
Anwar’s proposal sought to grant the armed forces more autonomy in selecting critical defense assets, which could ultimately streamline procurement and ensure that future acquisitions align with the actual needs of the military.
In addition to internal challenges, Malaysia’s military capabilities are scrutinized within the broader context of Southeast Asia’s evolving security environment. Several of Malaysia’s neighbors, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, have made significant investments in military modernization in recent years, procuring advanced fighter jets, naval vessels, and missile systems.
Singapore, for instance, boasts one of the most advanced and capable militaries in the region, with cutting-edge technologies and strong defense partnerships with countries like the United States. Indonesia has also undertaken a major modernization drive, with significant investment in its naval and air force capabilities. Vietnam, too, has ramped up its military spending, particularly with the purchase of advanced systems from Russia and other nations, driven in part by concerns over tensions in the South China Sea.
Malaysia, by contrast, has struggled to keep pace with this regional modernization trend. Budget constraints, political uncertainties, and the procurement inefficiencies mentioned earlier have all played a role in the country’s slower progress in upgrading its military.
This has created a situation where Malaysia’s defense forces face an increasing risk of being outmatched by their regional counterparts. In addition to the challenges posed by outdated equipment, this could reduce the effectiveness of Malaysia’s defense commitments and its ability to safeguard its maritime borders and territorial integrity.
In response to these mounting concerns, the Ministry of Defence has pledged to address the military’s outdated assets through more focused and efficient procurement processes. The emphasis is on acquiring modern, cost-effective systems that align with Malaysia’s strategic priorities while also ensuring that maintenance and upgrade costs remain manageable in the long term.
One avenue being explored is greater collaboration with international defense partners. By leveraging relationships with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, Malaysia hopes to gain access to cutting-edge technologies and training that will help bridge the capability gap without breaking the bank.
Meanwhile, domestic stakeholders are calling for more transparency in defense spending and procurement decisions, a move that could reduce the risks of corruption and ensure that defense budgets are spent efficiently.
For Malaysia to maintain a credible and effective defense force, a balance must be struck between managing the fiscal realities of the nation and addressing the military’s operational needs in an increasingly complex security landscape. The country’s defense leaders are at a crossroads, where key decisions made now will have a long-term impact on national security and regional standing.
The calls for procurement reform, coupled with increased transparency and better planning, offer a potential way forward, but the road ahead is fraught with difficulties. With regional neighbors modernizing at a rapid pace, Malaysia must take decisive steps to ensure that its military remains a capable and credible force in Southeast Asia.
