Malaysian Armed Forces to Establish Cyber Force by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will establish a Cyber Force by 2030 to spearhead planning, coordination, organisational transformation preparations and capability development in the cyber domain.

The establishment of the MAF’s fourth service branch, after the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Malaysian Army, reflects the need to strengthen the country’s defence readiness in response to increasingly complex threats in the cyber and electromagnetic domains.

Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman said cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum have become arenas of competition and conflict that increasingly dominate the modern security landscape.

“In line with this aspiration, expertise in Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) is also being continuously developed.

“Cyber capabilities, electronic warfare and spectrum management operations have already been practically applied during Exercise Camar Kilat Series 2/26 to generate tangible operational effects within the CEMA framework.

“This commitment is also being strengthened through human capital development, with 60 officers and 17 other ranks from the RMAF having undergone CEMA-related courses as of July 2026,” he said in an interview held in conjunction with the 93rd Armed Forces Day at Wisma Pertahanan here recently.

He added that CEMA capabilities currently being developed include cyber operations, electronic warfare and spectrum management.

He said the establishment of the Cyber Force would also serve as a key pillar in strengthening integrated capabilities across the domain.

“Overall, for the period from 2026 to 2030, strategic emphasis will be placed on developing more comprehensive readiness encompassing operational preparedness, decision-making, technology and sustainment.

“This includes plans to develop the MAF Communications Satellite, which is expected to be fully operational by 2031, to ensure that every capability developed continues to be integrated into operational concepts so that every investment truly translates into tangible operational effects,” he said.

On March 24 last year, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was reported as saying during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara that the force would be equipped with highly specialised technical expertise in areas such as Cyber Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, Digital Forensics and Active Cyber Defence.

Mohamed Khaled said these capabilities would enable the MAF not only to respond to cyberattacks but also to deter and neutralise threats before they could affect military operations and national security.

Asked about the direction of the Future Force development, Malek said it was fully supported by the National Defence Strategic Plan 2026-2030, in line with the government’s commitment to achieving defence expenditure equivalent to 1.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.

He said that in terms of strategic planning, the mid-term review of the National Military Strategy (SKN) 2.0, the MAF’s strategic documents, blueprint plans and the 13th Malaysia Plan would continue to be strengthened to ensure that the development of MAF capabilities is carried out systematically, in phases and based on strategic requirements.

MAF’s 5D Strategy

“The alignment of doctrine and force design is also being refined to ensure that every capability complements the others and is able to support both current and future operational requirements.

“In addition, to ensure the sustainability and enhance the operational resilience of the RMAF, procurement planning under the 13th Malaysia Plan also includes a mid-life upgrade initiative for 12 EC725 helicopters, the acquisition of two Medium-Range Air Defence System batteries and 12 AW149 helicopters through a public-private partnership,” he said.

Malek added that the MAF is implementing its 5D Strategy to strengthen national defence while reflecting the armed forces’ ability to respond to an increasingly complex security environment.

He said the first of the 5Ds is Diplomacy, which involves creating strategic space and reducing the risk of conflict, while the second is Detect, which ensures that the MAF remains constantly aware of and understands potential threats.

“The third is Deter. This means imposing costs and preventing threats from escalating.

“The fourth is Deny, which means denying the enemy the freedom to achieve its objectives, while the fifth is Defeat, which ensures the capability to overcome threats if conflict cannot be avoided,” he said.

He said the development of the MAF is driven by the spirit of “A.T.M” — Akhlak Teras, Tatakelola Tuntas dan Martabat Tempur — and underpinned by the Seven Pillars of the Supreme Command, which are now beginning to demonstrate tangible results.

Malek said that in its capability development planning, the MAF remains committed to strengthening its inventory and capabilities comprehensively across all three existing service branches.

“For the Malaysian Army, capability development continues to be strengthened in a focused manner to enhance mobility, protection, firepower, air defence and tactical operational capabilities.

“These efforts include the modernisation of combat vehicle and mobility capabilities, mounted mortar systems, Short-Range and Very Short-Range Air Defence systems (SHORAD and VSHORAD), as well as armoured vehicles.

“This development is also supported by ground surveillance capabilities and the strengthening of special operations, airborne, anti-tank, artillery, rocket and logistics support to enhance the force’s readiness, flexibility and responsiveness on the battlefield,” he said.

He added that for the RMN, maritime capability development would continue in an integrated manner through fleet modernisation, enhanced littoral operational and rapid-response capabilities, as well as strengthened operational support capabilities.

He said the development of Littoral Combat Ships and Batch 2 Littoral Mission Ships would strengthen the fleet’s ability to conduct maritime operations, while the acquisition of Fast Interceptor Craft and plans for Multi-Role Support Ships would enhance rapid-response capabilities and operational sustainability.

“In line with the country’s strategic interests in its eastern waters, infrastructure will also be strengthened through plans to develop an RMN base in Sarawak to enhance operational presence and readiness in the region,” he said.

For the RMAF, Malek said capability and infrastructure development is also being directed towards strengthening operational readiness in the eastern region.

“The RMAF Bare Base project in Bintulu is showing encouraging progress, with physical construction reaching 40.37 per cent and completion scheduled for May 3, 2028.

“Air capability development continues to focus on establishing a more integrated and credible air capability through the acquisition of FA-50M aircraft, Medium-Range Air Defence Systems, the GM400 Alpha long-range air defence radar network and Airport Surveillance Radar Systems.

“In addition, the ANKA Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), which has arrived in Labuan, is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability in October 2026,” he said.

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