Malaysia has agreed in principle to buy medium-range surface-to-air missiles from China and in return China will transfer its technology in very short-range air defence system to Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the procurement would be made under the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2009) as part of the continuing Armed Forces Modernisation Programme.
Addressing a news conference yesterday after witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the matter, he said that details of the procurement and offset programme would be finalised later should Malaysia give its full commitment.
China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC) is offering the FN-6 very short-range air defence system to Malaysia should the country purchase its KS-1A, the medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
The shoulder-launched FN-6 missile has an engagement range of 6km and altitude of 4km while the vehicle-launched KS-1A has an engagement range of 50km and altitude of 27km.
The industrial offset programme of the FN-6 offered to Malaysia is inclusive of special test facilities, universal equipment, special tools, manufacturing process documents, training and technical support, and capable of an annual output of 100 FN-6 missiles.
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