Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
On 8 June, airBaltic will launch a thrice-weekly service between its Riga base and Tehran, Iran, for passengers travelling via the Latvian capital to/from Europe, Scandinavia, CIS countries, and the Baltic region.
Tero Taskila, chief commercial officer of airBaltic, commented, “Following the previously announced launches of Amman and Beirut, Tehran is already the third destination that airBaltic will start this year in the Middle East – a region that becomes ever more important in the world’s economic and political arena, and that has continued to grow even amidst global recession and generate increasing passenger numbers. The Iranian capital is a major cultural and business centre, and airBaltic will provide a vital link between Tehran and Scandinavia, Europe, CIS countries, Baltic region and our rapidly growing Finnish market.”
Flights to Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with the return flights to Riga on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The airline will use Boeing 737 aircraft for a flight that will last for four hours and 45 minutes.
In the Middle East, airBaltic serves five destinations – Dubai, Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, and Tehran.
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.