KUALA LUMPUR: The defence spending on four naval ships from China will be money well spent for the nation, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.
He said the ministry would ensure that the funds used for the acquisition would benefit operations of the Royal Malaysian Navy as well as the country.
"Details of the purchase have yet to be announced but social media is already rife with claims of exorbitant costs that the government will supposedly pay for the ships.
"This is untrue as we will ensure that every sen truly benefits RMN and the country's defence," he said during Minister's Question Time in Parliament today.
Hishammuddin said the purchase of the new ships was necessary as the existing fleet had an average age of 30 years.
"It is no longer cost-effective to continue with the ageing fleet as the maintenance and operation costs have gone up," he said.
He said the new ships would allow RMN to carry out its operations more efficiently.