Kuala lumpur: Global aircraft manufacturer Airbus has reaffirmed Malaysia's importance as a key market for its commercial, defence, and space businesses, underscoring its long-term commitment to supporting the country's aerospace sector through strong industrial collaboration.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zakir Hamid, the head of Airbus Defence and Space in Asia-Pacific, emphasized the extensive collaborations with Malaysian industry across commercial aircraft programs and highlighted equally strong partnerships in the defence sector. These partnerships aim to deepen the local defence ecosystem, accelerate technology and knowledge transfer, expand industrial self-reliance, and strengthen Malaysia's strategic defence capabilities.

Zakir noted that the partnership with Malaysia is unique due to the breadth of collaboration, which spans fleet modernisation, defence cooperation, local industrial participation, and skills development. This makes Airbus a strategic partner and a key contributor to local industrialisation efforts. Furthermore, Airbus is expanding its research and technology footprint in Malaysia through the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC), an industrial research institute co-led by Airbus.

AMIC engages in collaborative research and technology projects with industry and universities, providing a pathway from research to market. Zakir expressed pride in the mutually beneficial partnerships built in Malaysia and anticipates further expanding Airbus's presence while supporting the growth of Malaysia's aerospace ecosystem.

Malaysia is Airbus's largest supplier base in Southeast Asia, procuring about RM1.5 billion worth of commodities annually and supporting approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. Parts manufactured in Malaysia are featured on nearly every Airbus aircraft in production, with over 300 Airbus commercial aircraft currently in service with Malaysian airlines and nearly 400 additional aircraft on order.