Malaysia's SMEO, Rheinmetall Waffe Sign MoU For Pyrotechnics Parts Supply

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's SME Ordnance Sdn Bhd (SMEO) and Germany-based Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to supply component parts of pyrotechnics for the Malaysian defence forces and Royal Malaysia Police. Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmBH is a global leading manufacturer and supplier of defence technology, and part of Rheinmetall Defence. SMEO Executive Director Defence and Business Development Mohd Shahrom Nordin said the MoU paves the way for the company to work closely towards meeting the requirements of the defence forces. "The MoU brings together the technologies and expertise of both companies, enabling us to pursue industrial, technological and commercial opportunities in Malaysia and Asia. "We also view the MoU as a significant step forward in enhancing our industry cooperation with a reputable defence-technology company in Europe. "We foresee a synergistic collaboration in the sourcing of component parts for our medium and large calibre ammunition and this puts us in a position to play a bigger role towards meeting domestic and regional requirements in defence needs," he added. The signing of the MoU took place at the SMEO Booth on the sidelines of the 14th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2014 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here. SMEO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, is a pioneer in Malaysia's defence industry. Incorporated in 1969, SMEO is involved among others, in the manufacture and supply of small, medium and large calibre ammunition, wood-based as well as engineering plastic products. Equally significant is the signing of MOU's by two other companies with SMEO, namely, Poly Group China and Thai Arms Co Ltd Thailand. The MoU between SMEO and Poly Group China aims to cooperate and explore new opportunities in the areas of future upgrade of the manufacturing processes at SMEO's premise to include machines, equipment and be knowledge-based. Poly Group China is a manufacturer of machine and equipment for the production of components for small arms ammunition and various other calibre. The MoU between SMEO and Thai Arms Co Ltd Thailand enables both companies to complement each other in relation to the manufacturing needs of components for small calibre ammunition and shotgun cartridges and exchange of technical and manufacturing know how of products, components, technology and services related to the manufacture of ammunition. Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein witnessed all three signings. "This is a very positive development. Under my watch as Minister of Defence, I would like to see more than mere contractual obligations between companies. "We need to build a defence industry in Malaysia and I would like to see it benchmark with the rest in the world," he told press conference. He also expressed the desire to see Turkey, the United Arab of Emirates and especially China, look at the Malaysian defence industry not just as a commercial base, but also a way to spur the economy, provide employment as well as build people-to-people relationships. "What we see today in the SMEO tie-up with Thai, German and Chinese companies, is one very good example of that cooperation." he said. --BERNAMA