He said the 2030-2044 plan included the launch of military satellites to support the space defence system, and the handling of space debris and cyberattacks.

“The system will be equipped with space-based sensors to detect missile launches, nuclear explosions and other threats to provide early warnings and increase our situational awareness,” he told the Dewan Negara today.

Adly was responding to Senator Lim Pay Hen, who asked how far the ministry was moving towards developing a space defence system, given that space defence technology had been widely developed and adopted by major powers.

To prevent and destroy incoming threats, Adly said, the armed forces would also be developing rocket and missile systems capable of operating in space to bolster the nation’s defence capabilities.

“Taking into account the country’s financial position, the plan to have a space defence system in the near future will focus on defensive capabilities first.

“Offensive capabilities such as space-based missile attacking systems require a larger allocation and can only be considered in the future when the country has better financial capabilities.”

Adly also said there were local firms, including GLCs, that were already working on space defence technology.

“If someone asks whether Malaysia is capable of building defence satellites, the answer is yes, we are capable.

“However, among our challenges is how much we want to spend on it, taking into account the impact of the expenditure on other defence elements,” he said.