Malaysia Raises 2026 Defense Budget, South China Sea Priority

Malaysia raises 2026 defense budget to $5.15B, prioritizing South China Sea with layered air defenses, MRSS plans, and FA-50 deliveries.
Malaysia Navy Ship (MNS) KD Terengganu in February 10, 2025. Malaysia raises 2026 defense budget to $5.15B, prioritizing South China Sea with layered air defenses, MRSS plans, and FA-50 deliveries.

Malaysia raises 2026 defense budget and will spend $5.15 billion in 2026, linking the buildup to South China Sea operations, officials said Saturday. “This is particularly important as we face various challenges, including those in the South China Sea,” Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said on Saturday.

The budget sets about $1.42 billion for maintenance and new purchases that include medium, short, and very short-range air defense systems. Two Multi-Role Support Ships (MRSS) for the navy, and 10 vehicles for Malaysia’s UN battalion in Lebanon in the list. The total defense allocation rises 2.92% from this year to about $5.15 billion.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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