Malaysia to start local rocket production within two years under new Australia partnership

Malaysia aims to launch local rocket production within the next two years as part of a strategic partnership with Australia's Rocket Technologies International Pty Ltd (RTI) to build its defence industry capabilities ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

The agreement, signed on July 1 during Malaysia Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin's official visit to Canberra, commits Malaysia's Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd and RTI to collaborate on rocket manufacturing, with plans to eventually expand into missile production ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}.

The partnership includes technology transfer, research, development, and human capital training programs. It also envisions collaboration with Malaysian higher education institutions to support domestic expertise in defence technology ^{[2, 3]}.

Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said the government “welcomes and fully supports the collaboration between Weststar Group and Rocket Technologies International Pty Ltd (RTI), as it aligns with our push to build domestic capabilities in rocket and missile development” ^[1]. He also highlighted that Weststar's investment will allow Malaysia to join RTI’s global supply chain, opening opportunities for local players to integrate into the international defence ecosystem ^[2].

Khaled further expressed gratitude to the Australian government “for its support and approval of the collaboration and technology transfer between RTI and Weststar,” emphasizing the bilateral cooperation behind the project ^[4].

This initiative falls under Malaysia’s National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), which aims to boost sovereign defence capabilities and strengthen local defence industries ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

The strategic partnership agreement was signed by Weststar Group founder and managing director Tan Sri Dr Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim and RTI founder Allan James Payne at the National Convention Centre in Canberra ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

Malaysia targets to begin rocket production within two years, with missile manufacturing planned to follow as the country builds up its defence industrial base ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.