KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian higher learning institutions should conduct more research and development in the various defence sectors to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign firms.
Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (Midas) assistant director (contemporary security) Ahmad Tajuddin Mohd Said said such roles should not be shouldered by the defence industry players alone but also be extended to local higher learning institutions as many can conduct research in regards to defence technology.
"Using readily available platforms, these universities can tap into working groups like the Science and Technology Research Institute For Defence (Stride) and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)."
Tajuddin also proposed that research and development focus on software applications, cybersecurity, geospatial studies and artificial intelligence.
"These technologies are emerging and much interest is being generated. This is also in line with the government's initiative in encouraging studies in artificial intelligence.
"The nation's defence industry should also focus on sectors such as drones, where it is sustainable and in the long run, can be profitable," he said during the India-Malaysia Defence Industrial Cooperation Mini Defence Expo and Defence Industry Symposium, here.
Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and Indian high commissioner to Malaysia B.N. Reddy.
Tajuddin added that Malaysia's defence sector could learn more from India's defence industry in terms of business management as they are among the largest defence industries in the world.
"While working visits have been ongoing for many years, I believe the time has come for the nation to learn from India more systematically and comprehensively.
"Perhaps we can learn from scratch the internal defence business, how to create and maintain supply and demand, maintain good governance in the business sector, improve research and development, produce incentives, learn the best marketing and sales strategy, how to manage human resources, how to produce experts and how to cultivate their defence industry culture."