Malaysia will be made a hub for the production of defence equipment and parts to be used for the development of the regional defence industry, the country’s Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said.

“For this purpose, we will have to take several proactive measures with the co-operation of ASEAN member countries to develop the industry in this region,” the minister was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying on June 25.

However, this would be only an arrangement of cooperation and not involve a defence agreement like the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), he added.

Minister Ahmad Zahid also said the region need not only be a user market, or a dumping ground for outdated defence equipment.

According to Bernama, Malaysia will hold the 12th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2010 (DSA 2010) in April 19, 2010./.