ASELSAN's latest deals expand Turkish defence industry's footprint into Southeast Asia

Türkiye’s leading defence firm ASELSAN made a significant impact by signing two strategic teaming agreeents and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Malaysian LIMA 2025 maritime and aerospace exhibition, aimed at deepening defence collaboration with Koala Lumpur.

These agreements underscore ASELSAN’s broader vision to expand its global footprint and foster technology partnerships, particularly in Southeast Asia. The signing ceremonies were prominently held during the exhibition, with the presence of key officials from both the Turkish and Malaysian defence sectors, underlining the importance of these bilateral ties.

The first major agreement was signed between ASELSAN and Sapura Secured Technologies, a Malaysian company known for its expertise in mission planning, monitoring, and control systems across defence, public safety, and commercial sectors. According to an article by the Asian Military Review publication, the two companies will cooperate on joint product development and production under this agreement, with a particular focus on military communication solutions. One of the highlights of this partnership will be the advancement of national cryptology capabilities, a move that signals a deeper investment in indigenous defence technologies and cyber resilience.

The second key agreement was forged with MILDEF International Technologies, a prominent Malaysian defence and automotive company. This collaboration centers around equipping the Malaysian Army with a suite of advanced defence technologies including remote-controlled weapon systems, electro-optical systems, communication solutions, and command and control systems. These technologies will be specifically integrated into Tarantula Armoured Vehicles, Malaysia’s first high-mobility armoured vehicle (HMAV) 4x4 introduced in 2021, enhancing their tactical capabilities and situational awareness on the battlefield.

Additionally, ASELSAN is partnering with Ventura IOT to co-develop advanced pipeline security solutions. These solutions are tailored to meet the operational and infrastructure security needs of the Malaysian Army, showcasing ASELSAN’s flexible approach in addressing a wide range of defence and homeland security challenges.

During LIMA 2025, ASELSAN also unveiled an extensive showcase of its cutting-edge defence technologies. Highlights included remote-controlled weapon systems, close-in defence solutions, unmanned surface vehicles, sonar systems, and torpedo countermeasures. For UAV platforms, ASELSAN exhibited its latest electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare systems, precision-guided munitions, and guidance kits, reinforcing its leadership in unmanned systems and aerial warfare technology. Moreover, the company presented a broad array of radar systems, air defence platforms, and advanced communication and avionics solutions, appealing to both military and dual-use market segments.

Ahmet Akyol, ASELSAN’s President and CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of the company's participation at LIMA 2025. “Our participation in LIMA 2025 reflects our commitment to strengthening the defence ecosystem in Malaysia through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions,” Akyol stated. He also highlighted the company’s excitement about collaborating with local Malaysian firms to develop indigenous technological capabilities and support regional security objectives.

The Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) serves as a premier platform for both defence and commercial sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Held biennially in Langkawi, Malaysia, the exhibition is considered Asia’s largest air and maritime show, drawing participants from aviation, aerospace, and defence industries across the globe. The 17th edition of LIMA, taking place from 20–24 May 2025, is expected to attract military delegations, commercial enterprises, and defence professionals from around the world, offering unparalleled networking and business development opportunities.

By Nazrin Sadigova