India, Malaysia Strengthen Defense Relations

India, Malaysia Strengthen Defense Relations

(NSI News Source Info) 19 August, 2008: NEW DELHI - India and Malaysia are discussing boosting defense ties during the Aug. 18 visit of Air Chief Marshal Fali Major, Indian chief of the Air Staff, to Malaysia, Indian Defence Ministry sources said. The Indian Air Force already is training Malaysian pilots and technicians on the Russian-made Su-30 MKM aircraft. Major also will visit the Malaysian air base at Gong Kedak, where the Malaysiansare learning to fly and maintain the Su-30 MKM. India is training 15 Malaysian officers and 40 technicians on the aircraft, 18 of which were bought by Malaysia from Russia in 2003. Indian Air Force personnel also provided training to more than 100 Malaysian personnel on the MiG-29 aircraft. "The team of IAF pilots and technicians are in Malaysia for two years, on their invitation, to train their pilots, weapon system operators and maintenance staff for the smooth induction and operation of their newly acquired Su-30 MKM fighter aircraft," a senior Indian Air Force official said. Malaysia is also keen to get training in submarine operations, and has evinced interest in the procurement of the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, said Indian Defence Ministry sources. India and Malaysia first signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in 1992. Currently, Indian-Malaysian defense ties largely are confined to training of Malaysian defense personnel, but this will expand in the near future to sales of weaponry and equipment from India, the Defence Ministry sources said.