Mission
The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) manages the following activities with Malaysia in support of U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur and the U.S. Pacific Command:
- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases for equipment, services and training,
- Military Exercises and Conferences, and
- U.S. Military Education and Training programs
Foreign Military Sales
ODC manages and supports the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) procurement of U.S. defense equipment, services and training.
The F/A-18 “Hornet” case is the largest and most active FMS program.
Training provided through the FMS program includes courses provided by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard.
ODC supports U.S. Contractors and U.S. Government participation in major defense trade shows hosted in Malaysia (Defense Services Asia and Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition).
Assistance to U.S. Defense Contractors
ODC works primarily in government-to-government programs. ODC is the U.S. Department of Defense point of contact for U.S. Contractors who wish to do business with the Malaysian defense community. The embassy stands ready to provide all appropriate assistance to U.S. companies seeking to fill Malaysia’s defense requirements. When two or more U.S. companies seek to meet a single requirement, we are committed to providing even-handed assistance.
The embassy sections specifically involved with assisting companies marketing defense products are ODC, the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), and the Defense Attaché Office (DAO). ODC can assist by providing insight concerning Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) procurement procedures and defense requirements; FCS can provide detailed information regarding doing business in Malaysia, assist in Malaysian Government contacts outside MINDEF, and provide information on local agents through their Gold Key Service or by completing an FCS Advocacy Form.
We request that U.S. companies marketing defense products make contact with the embassy through ODC. ODC can assist with appointments with FCS and DAO, if requested.
We recommend that companies which have identified a specific Malaysian requirement, and believe they have a good chance of being selected to fill it, use a local agent. Local agents can greatly facilitate appointments with Malaysian government officials and can provide feedback and support. It is particularly appropriate for the ODC to become involved if a substantive briefing on a particular weapon system is contemplated. If the ODC is requested to assist, please provide the following information:
- Full name of company, address, email, and phone numbers
- Full names and bios of visiting representatives
- U.S. Government clearance level, if any
- Background information on products of interest
- Status of export license to sell to Malaysia, if applicable
- Intent to pursue this sale through Foreign Military Sales or Direct Commercial Sales
- Other known U.S. or international competitors
- Local agent, if any
- Established contacts in Malaysian Ministry of Defence, if any
Military Exercises and Conferences
Exercises
ODC coordinates and supports approximately 14 – 16 bi-lateral and multi-lateral exercises with the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysian Police each year in order to promote interoperability and cooperation. Examples of such exercises are: Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), Cope Taufan, Keris Strike, Air Warrior, and Joint Combined Exchange Training.
Conferences
Each year, ODC sends about seventy members of the Ministry of Defense and Malaysian Armed Forces to participate in U.S. hosted or co-hosted conferences and seminars. These events increase interoperability and cooperation between the U.S., Malaysia, and other countries in the region.
ODC also supports specialized regional events and seminars in areas such as pandemic influenza preparedness and response; noncommissioned officer engagement, and maritime security.
U.S. Military Education and Training
ODC manages the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program which provides U.S. training on a grant basis to students from Malaysia. Each year, ODC sends approximately fifty Malaysian military personnel for training under IMET. ODC also manages the Foreign Military Sales Training Program, Counter Terrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP), and Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) courses.
Other useful web sites:
-
Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
- Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS)