British defense industry and aviation leader BAE Systems reaffirmed its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region at the recent Defense Services Asia (DSA) fair in Malaysia.
Michael Solkeld, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at BAE Systems, emphasized the fair's pivotal role in fostering and fortifying connections within the region.
Speaking exclusively to DefenseHere, Solkeld underscored BAE Systems' longstanding participation in DSA, emphasizing the event's significance for both Malaysian and regional defense stakeholders.
"It's always good to return to DSA," Solkeld remarked, highlighting the fair's ability to attract a diverse array of regional visitors alongside Malaysian officials.
"We've observed delegations from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand at this year's fair," Solkeld noted. "This underscores DSA's critical role as a key event for the entire region."
At the fair, BAE Systems showcased cutting-edge autonomous patrol vessel technology, developed in collaboration with an Omani boat manufacturing company based in Malaysia with the technology coming from UK. Solkeld described this partnership as a prime example of global cooperation, combining local manufacturing with advanced autonomous capabilities.
The autonomous patrol vessel operates independently, enhancing maritime security capabilities without requiring human intervention, Solkeld explained, noting that "This technology is particularly suited for safeguarding coastal facilities, making it ideal for deployment by marine police, coast guards, and naval forces in the region."
Looking ahead, Solkeld expressed BAE Systems' commitment to future editions of DSA, noting their plans to return in two years' time. "We see substantial potential for our technologies in enhancing regional security," he concluded, reflecting on the ongoing partnership and innovation driving BAE Systems' contributions to defense capabilities in Southeast Asia.
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