LUMUT: The armed forces will be restructured into a 'future force' (angkatan masa hadapan) that meets technological advances, future challenges and human expectations.
Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman said the move coincided with the National Military Strategy (SKN) 2.0 plan which was launched in September last year, also dubbed as the armed force's highest strategy document.
"The Defence White Paper approved by the Malaysian government on Dec 2, 2019, set the strategic direction of National Defence until 2030 in defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the interests of Malaysia.
"The most important component of the pillars of the integrated defence is now being actively implemented in building the future force as a national shield, that is based on an integrated posture and focus," he said.
Mohammad said this in his speech at the 90th Armed Forces Day Parade at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base here, today.
Also present were Army Chief General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Datuk Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.
He said through this new strategy, the armed forces will be restructured for the future generation and the capabilities of all three services (army, RMN, RMAF) would be enhanced holistically and adhere to the 3M trilogy, which is man, machine and method.
"I am being assisted by service commanders who are seen as generators of combat capability through the concept of raise, train and maintain," he said.
On Sept 26 last year, former Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang launched the SKN 2.0 document, which is the latest and practical strategy document to ensure that the armed forces always remained on track.
This document details the strategic planning of the military that is formulated holistically and inclusively to achieve military objectives and enable these forces to gain a strategic advantage in whatever situation.
Meanwhile, to empower the force's abilities, Mohammad said various development projects, capabilities, infrastructure and human resources are being implemented according to current plans.
For example, for the army family homes development project, a total of 1563 units of residential houses for all levels have already started and are expected to be completed early next year.
"The army is in the procurement process to improve firepower elements involving 4x4 armoured vehicles and SPH 155MM artillery.
"Besides this, the army has and will receive weaponry, mobility and communication assets to improve the level of readiness, especially for combat forces," he said.
Meanwhile, for RMN, he said the improvement of the navy's capabilities could be seen through the acquisition of new assets such as a Littoral Mission Ship, Maritime Operational Helicopter, Fast Interceptor Craft and Unmanned Aerial System
"At the same time, efforts to strengthen the naval fleet continues through the procurement of the Littoral Combat Ship, Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 and Maritime Operations Helicopter Batch 2," he added.
For the RMAF, Mohamad said it prioritised the acquisition of fighter lead in six training/light combat aircraft; medium altitude long endurance - unmanned aircraft system; maritime control aircraft and long-range acoustic device radar.
"This procurement plan is to strengthen the level of readiness of the force in carrying out the task of detecting, deterring and denying any air invasion," he said.
