Malaysia, UAE deepen defence ties through training, engagement at DSA 2026

Collaboration in training, exercises and industry exposure takes focus at DSA 2026, as Malaysia and the UAE explore broader defence cooperation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s engagement with international defence partners, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was highlighted at the UAE Pavilion in Hall 4 of Defence Services Asia 2026 (DSA 2026), with discussions centred on training, cooperation and industry participation.

Saeed Al Mansoori, Advisor for Military & Defence Shows at ADNEC Group, said Malaysia continues to be a destination for training, with cadets from the UAE among those who have undergone programmes locally.

“Our naval officers have graduated from Malaysia,” he said, noting that such exchanges reflect ongoing cooperation in defence education.

The exhibition also served as a platform to reaffirm ties between Malaysia and the UAE, particularly in areas linking training, operational engagement and institutional collaboration.

Beyond education, cooperation extends into joint exercises conducted in Malaysia, aimed at strengthening interoperability and practical coordination between both sides.

These engagements, often carried out under government-to-government (G2G) frameworks, reflect continued collaboration across training and defence-related development.

According to Al Mansoori, such efforts are supported by defence ministries and relevant councils on both sides, allowing cooperation to evolve alongside changing security requirements.

He also pointed to the “good relation between all leaders” as a factor supporting bilateral engagement, with recent high-level visits involving UAE officials and Malaysian companies opening further opportunities for collaboration.

During these visits, both sides explored ways to expand Malaysia’s participation in international defence platforms, including the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX).

Describing IDEX as a global platform that “brings the whole world in”, Al Mansoori said participation from Malaysian stakeholders could help increase exposure for local products and capabilities.

Discussions at DSA 2026 also touched on broader alignment between Malaysia and the UAE in areas such as stability, cooperation and balanced international engagement.

Al Mansoori said both countries are “on the same page” in approaching regional and global security issues, including maritime safety and the protection of key shipping routes.

He highlighted ongoing cooperation involving Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia in maintaining important maritime passages that support global trade.

Within the exhibition, the UAE Pavilion – supported by the UAE Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement – hosted delegations from various countries, including senior Malaysian armed forces personnel.

The presence of military leaders reflected continued interest in defence collaboration and technology exchange across the region.

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about expanding collaboration between the UAE and Malaysia, as well as across Asia, with platforms such as DSA and IDEX expected to continue facilitating engagement, partnerships and knowledge exchange.

Ultimately, discussions at the UAE Pavilion during DSA 2026 underscored a steady trajectory of cooperation between Malaysia and the UAE, particularly in training, engagement and participation in international defence platforms