ABSTRACT
The trajectory of Malaysia's military modernisation has been inconsistent, owing to its geostrategic context, logistical challenges and fluctuating funding. Since the end of counter-insurgency (COIN) in the late 1980s, its territorial division and complicated relations with neighbouring countries have made Kuala Lumpur take a balanced approach for developing capabilities of the three services of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). As the MAF is oriented towards conventional warfare, the government has commissioned main battle tanks (MBTs) and multi-rocket launchers (MRLs) for the Malaysian Army (MA), submarines for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and new fighters with standoff munitions for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). However, logistical factors have reduced the capabilities of the three Malaysian services. Financial challenges have constrained Kuala Lumpur's ongoing modernisation plans and have placed the future of its defence in a somewhat uncertain state amidst Southeast Asia's changing political climate.
