Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad was recognised for his role in bringing industrial and economic benefits to Malaysia through his encouragement of international aerospace partnerships.
The presentation made by BAE Systems on behalf of its industrial partners followed the opening ceremony at LIMA 2019 alongside a Royal Malaysian Air Force Hawk aircraft, the tail fin of which was decorated to mark the Hawk’s 25 years of service.
Since 1994, the industrial offset programme built around the Hawk contract has supported the creation of 7,000 jobs in Malaysia and helped support the establishment of leading aerospace industrial capabilities.
Natasha Pheiffer, BAE Systems Managing Director Asia, says, “The Prime Minister’s vision in 1994 was for the development of Malaysia’s aerospace industry through the provision of education, skills, processes and technologies.
“25 years on, those offset initiatives delivered to support the Hawk contract continue to deliver economic benefits to Malaysia. As the lead international partner associated with the Malaysia Hawk deal BAE Systems is proud to witness the industrial success that the Prime Minister’s vision continues to deliver.”
The Prime Minister was joined at the event by Mohamad bin Sabu, Defence Minister for Malaysia, and General Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, whose important role in the Hawk programme was also recognised at the event.
BAE Systems Group Business Development Director, Dave Armstrong, presented the Prime Minister with a Hawk model to mark the occasion.
BAE Systems is exhibiting at LIMA as the largest international supplier to the Malaysian Armed Forces with equipment in service across domains, including Hawk operating with the RMAF, ships and other maritime products in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy and a range of equipment operated by the Royal Malaysian Army.
The company will also be exhibiting a full-scale replica of Typhoon, the most advanced multi-role combat aircraft available today, along with its capabilities in cyber security from its Kuala Lumpur engineering centre which employs nearly 500 people.
