US, Malaysia sign defense cooperation deal amid regional security talks

GYEONGJU, South Korea: The United States and Malaysia signed a new defense cooperation agreement on Wednesday, reinforcing their strategic partnership amid rising regional tensions and evolving security challenges.

AI Brief

The US and Malaysia formalised a defense cooperation deal and renewed a logistics support agreement.
Both nations committed to deeper collaboration on cybersecurity, maritime security, and counterterrorism.
Leaders praised ongoing military exercises and training, reaffirming commitment to South China Sea stability.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus to finalise the deal, which includes a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation and the renewal of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement.

The agreement marks over four decades of bilateral defense ties and aims to enhance collaboration on cybersecurity, maritime security, counterterrorism and military interoperability. Both sides also committed to finalising additional agreements on communications, information sharing, and geospatial coordination.

Hegseth thanked Malaysia for its role as ASEAN Chair and its support for US President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts in the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire. Malaysia welcomed US backing for ASEAN observer teams in the region.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, calling for respect for sovereignty and warning against grey-zone tactics such as hydrographic research under foreign coast guard protection.

Hegseth and Khaled are expected to meet again next year at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.