Marhalim Abas, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, covers Southeast Asian defense. He has worked as a journalist specializing in Southeast Asia defense and security since 1994, initially with the New Straits Times newspaper.
Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency has separately agreed with Airbus and Boeing to apply new technology to military aircraft maintenance.
The Philippines has enlarged its 2018-23 defense modernization program by 44%, budgeting for multirole fighters and the first of at least two planned subs.