Malaysia Arms Fair: Latest military tech on show in Kuala Lumpur

World
Europe

02:50

Turning now to one of the biggest weapons fairs in the world which wrapped up today in the Malaysian capital. This year, Defence Services Asia attracted some 1500 companies from 70 countries. Senior security officials were also there to learn about the latest offerings, showcase their country's products and discuss the big security challenges of the day. Rian Maelzer reports from Kuala Lumpur.

There were plenty of big guns on show and in attendance at Defence Services Asia. Defence ministers, and military and police chiefs from around the world gathered to scope out the latest hardware and technology, and to talk business.

They also held roundtables on pressing issues and ways to deepen cooperation, like the new joint maritime patrols involving Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

NAJIB RAZAK PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA "Such a measure is more urgent than before as the siege of Marawi made starkly clear that despite our past successes in fighting terrorism, our region is far from immune from the horrors of violent extremism."

RIAN MAELZER KUALA LUMPUR "Just as governments are concerned about non-conventional security threats, the defence industry is looking to create innovative new technologies to combat those threats."

Such as this sophisticated face-recognition system from China's Poly Technologies, which already does business in more than 100 countries.

ZHANG ZE, ASSISTANT PRESIDENT POLY TECHNOLOGIES "So many all different related armed forces including police will come to this exhibition so they will come to our company and we would like to take this opportunity to expand our cooperation and deepen the collaboration with so many neighbouring countries in Asia."

JACOB GU CHINA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY GROUP "Today for the DSA we come here to show our capabilities in the defence electronics and the coverage is about command and control systems, various kinds of radar and EW, electronic warfare as well as military communications."

Turkey too had a major presence. As well as selling its hardware, it has provided designs and technology to allow host Malaysia to manufacture its own armoured vehicles.

It's the kind of collaboration that Defence Services Asia can help foster, by bringing together decision makers, and showcasing what countries can do to help bolster each others' security.

Rian Maelzer, CGTN, Kuala Lumpur.