Ministry of Defence Boosts National Resilience with Cutting-Edge Technology at DSA 2026

22 April 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, officiated the opening ceremony of Defence Services Asia (DSA) & National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), on April 20.

Themed "Enhancing Capabilities and Resilience Through Technology", this 19th edition of the DSA 2026 exhibition runs for four days, from 20 to 23 April 2026. It aims to bolster defence capabilities and drive future technologies to safeguard national resilience via innovation, international cooperation, and growth of the local defence industry ecosystem.

The event spotlights the shift from conventional assets to smart systems, emphasising mastery of technologies to counter asymmetric and hybrid security threats of the new millennium.

Key advanced technologies on display include autonomous and robotic systems such as unmanned aerial, ground, and underwater vehicles (UAVs, UGVs, and UUVs) powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for long-range monitoring and detection; digital and cyber defence solutions featuring next-generation encryption and cybersecurity platforms to protect data sovereignty and critical infrastructure; and sensor and electronic technologies with high-precision radar and sensors for optimal real-time monitoring of air, maritime, and land domains.

Aligning with this global showcase, the government is advancing the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) as the primary channel for technology transfer. It mandates international firms to support local talent development and high-tech research and development (R&D).

Highlights include the CBRNe Arena (addressing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats); the Firearms and Tactical Equipment Segment (featuring cutting-edge operational gear); the Coalition of Defence Industry Malaysia (CDIM) Pavilion (showcasing national capabilities); and the DSA & NATSEC Asia Lab (a platform for SMEs and start-ups to launch innovations internationally).

The event draws 1,456 companies from 63 countries, including 37 international pavilions, plus around 600 official delegations and 50,000 trade visitors from over 114 nations, across a 48,000-square-metre space. This scale underscores the exhibition's global stature and Malaysia's role as a hub for defence and security collaboration.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Defence, Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin; Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar; Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Johari Abdul; Chairman of DSA Exhibition and Conference Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin; Chief of Defence Force, General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali; and Deputy Minister of Defence, Adly Zahari, alongside senior Ministry and Malaysian Armed Forces personnel.