Published: 20 November 2025
What’s the latest?
The Malaysian government has announced that the new Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Cyber and Electronic Defence Command will be officially established in December 2025.
Deputy Defence Minister revealed in Parliament that this command will serve as the “centre of gravity” for cyber and electromagnetic operations, as part of Malaysia’s defence transformation toward a smart-military model.
Why it matters
- The move signals Malaysia’s shift into high-tech defence capabilities, including artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned vehicles, drones, and automated weapon systems.
- Establishing a dedicated cyber and electronic warfare command reflects growing global awareness of non-traditional threats (cyber attacks, information warfare, electronic infrastructure).
- For the public, this means increased focus on national cybersecurity, possibly influencing how digital services and infrastructure are protected.
- Broadly, it points toward how countries are evolving beyond traditional land/sea/air forces into the digital battlespace.
What’s Involved / Next Steps
- The Command will be implemented in phases under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
- Key focus areas include:
- AI integration in land, sea and air surveillance
- Military drone operations
- Cyber defense systems
- Smart weapon systems and unmanned vehicles
- Training simulators, logistics management using AI
- The ministry will also undertake reskilling of defense personnel to handle these more complex, automated systems.
Looking Ahead
- We can expect government announcements around staffing, budget allocations and procurement of high-tech systems.
- With the formal launch in December, the coming months will likely see increased visibility of cyber defence initiatives, possibly including public-private partnerships or contractor disclosures.
- On the civilian side, there may also be implications for national cybersecurity readiness and potentially more advanced coordination between defence/technology sectors
