Local Defence Companies Eager To Seize Overseas Market Shares

By Jason Tan KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's leading armoured vehicle maker DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (DefTech) is now setting its sights on Cambodia and Myanmar, said Chief Executive Officer Amril Samsudin. "We are finalising a deal with the Cambodian government for a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract for T-55 tanks," said Amril. The project, which has an estimated worth of US$50 million to US$60 million for a five-year period, is set to commence by October, he said. "The project in Cambodia has a great potential judging from the size of its tanks for MRO services," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2014 (DSA 2014), which ended here on Thursday. DefTech is also in talks with the relevant authorities in Myanmar for similar MRO contracts, he said. Meanwhile, DefTech is not the only local defence player eager to extend its tentacles outside Malaysia. Sapura Secured Technologies Sdn Bhd's Business Development Vice-President, Praba Sangarajoo, said that the company plans to make an overseas foray this year, after having focused on the local front for many years. Part of the Sapura Group, Sapura Secured Technologies provides secured telecommunication solutions to defence and security, law enforcement, public safety and first responder agencies. While the Middle East is in its expansion pipeline, Praba said, the company is close to clinching a deal with a client in Asean. Meanwhile, Zetro Aerospace Corporation Sdn Bhd has targeted to increase revenue contribution from its overseas markets in the near term. The aviation MRO service provider has gained a strong foothold in countries like Oman, Abu Dhabi, Turkey and the United Kingdom, said its Vice-President Mohd Rozi Baharom. For the next three years, it wants to set its sights closer to home, eyeing Asean countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei for a further growth, he said. "These markets have similar demands as us, which should play to our advantage given our lower costs," he said. The four-day biennial DSA 2014 ushered in a total of 33,544 trade visitors from 77 countries and regions, up from 26,980 two years ago. A total of 1,000 companies from 60 countries flaunted their latest offerings at the exposition this year. -- BERNAMA