Hanoi: Malaysia and Vietnam are committed to strengthening their defence partnership, including by expanding cooperation in maritime security, capability development, technology and the defence industry. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that these topics were among those discussed during his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Lª Minh Hung in conjunction with his official visit to Vietnam. Malaysia regards Vietnam as a trusted and reliable partner with whom it shares close defence ties.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia and Vietnam share similar strategic views and uphold ASEAN principles, with dialogue and diplomacy serving as the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability. Mohamed Khaled noted that the meeting also addressed current defence challenges, such as great power competition, grey zone activities, cyber threats, artificial intelligence (AI), cognitive warfare, and disruptions to supply chains. He emphasized the importance of ASEAN enhancing collective regional resilience through stronger cooperation amid an increasingly complex security environment.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation 2023 is expected to continue serving as a roadmap for strengthening Malaysia-Vietnam defence relations towards a more strategic partnership. Cooperation in the maritime sector, capability development, technology, and the defence industry will be expanded, aligning with both countries' commitment to strengthening peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.