MDSTP Inks MoU With Italian Defence Firms

By Azmi Abdul Malek KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Defence And Security Technology Park Sdn Bhd (MDSTP) is set to accelerate the country's defence industry with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of Italian defence firms in London in conjunction with the Farnborough Airshow 2012. The Italian firms include Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A, AgustaWestland S.p.A, Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei, Selex Galileo S.p.A, Selex Sistemi Integrati S.p.A., Sitt Liguria Technological District S.c.p.a and Telespazio S.p.A. MDSTP, based in Sungkai, in northern state of Perak, has a collaborative partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Masterplan Consulting Sdn Bhd (MCSB). Its Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Faris Abdul Halim said the hub, with an estimated Total Gross Development Cost of RM1.5 billion and Gross Development Value of RM4.5 billion (US$1.4 billion), is the first defence and security industry hub in Asia and the country's largest. It houses aerospace and avionic, automotive, maritime, defence weaponry, information technology and communication as well as support industry companies, he said in a statment on Thursday. It will also host education, commercial and recreation centres as well as support services aand research and development (R&D) centres, he added. Ahmad Faris and Vice President (Business Development) Amal Aziz represented MDSTP at the MoU signing, and Alenia Aermacchi by its Chief Executive Officer Dr. Giuseppe Giordo. The company is involved in composites manufacturing and new materials. AgustaWestland, represented by Ing. Bruno Spagnolinind, is also involved in research into components design, among others, while Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei, represented by Ing. Paolo Galletti, is involved in the Black Shark programme and ugrading of the A 244/s MOD 1 Light Weight Torpedo. Selex Galileo, represented by Ing. Fabrizio Giulianini, is involved in Unmanned Aerial Systems, while Selex Sistemi Integrati, represented by Prof. Giuseppe Veredice, is involved in radar R&D and simulations and modelling. Sitt Liguria Technological District, represented by Remo Pertica, is involved in hydrogen and hydro-methane R&D, while Telespazio is involved in Earth observations and maritime satellite control systems. -- BERNAMA