21-9-2023 (NEW YORK) During a bilateral meeting with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Turkish House in New York, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia is willing to purchase military equipment from Turkiye. Anwar mentioned that while some of Malaysia’s military equipment had been previously acquired from South Korea, the decision to purchase suitable equipment from Turkiye would be determined by the Malaysian Armed Forces Council.
Anwar stated that the potential purchases could include drones and helicopters, considering Turkiye’s specialization in these areas. However, he deferred the final decision to the Armed Forces, emphasizing that they would determine the most suitable options. The discussions took place during Anwar’s visit to New York to attend the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Prime Minister clarified that the responsibility for negotiations regarding the military equipment purchases would lie with the Defence Ministry, which would engage with the Finance Ministry and the Turkish government. Anwar stressed his policy of non-interference in the procurement process, ensuring that the decision-making remains within the purview of the Malaysian authorities.
Additionally, Anwar conveyed that President Erdogan has agreed to visit Malaysia in December, further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
