Historically India-Malaysia defence relations date back to the colonial days when the troops of Madras Native Infantry were called upon to serve in Singapore, Malacca and Penang in the beginning of Nineteenth century.  During the Second World War, units of British Indian Army fought the Japanese for the defence of Malaya and Singapore.  Before Independence, some officers from Federated Malay States were trained in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.  One of them, Tun Hussein Onn, subsequently joined politics and rose to become the third Prime Minister of the country (1976-1981) while another, Tun Ibrahim Ismail advanced up the Military Hierarchy, to become the Chief of Defence Forces (1971-77).

Malaysian officers have been regularly attending Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) Course, and NDC course in India.  Malaysian Armed Forces officers and men were initially trained in India but as Malaysia established its own training establishments, training in India has become more selective, and now focuses on specialized courses only.  Two grandsons of Sultan Iskandar Haj, King of Johore passed out from Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.  Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, who concluded his attachment with 61 Cavalry in December 2007, had led the Regimental contingent at the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2007.

India-Malaysia defence relations have steadily grown over the years from military training to include supply of defence equipment and enhanced security dialogues. MOU on Defence Cooperation between the two countries was signed in 1993. It envisages widening the scope of bilateral cooperation to include joint ventures, joint development projects, procurement, logistic and maintenance support.  Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee, jointly chaired by the two Defence Secretaries, meets regularly to review the progress in defence cooperation on an annual basis.

Hon’ble Minister of Defence, AK Antony, undertook a very successful visit of Malaysia in January 2008. His discussions with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malaysia were held in an atmosphere of bonhomie and covered substantial issues on all facets of bilateral relationship. The two Defence Ministers, in their joint statement, agreed to further expand the scope of defence cooperation. This visit was closely followed by the official visits of the Chief of Army Staff in February 2008 and Chief of Air Staff in August 2008.

Indian Air Force is training Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel on operation and maintenance of Su-30 MKM aircraft. Indian Defence Production companies and the Indian Armed Forces personnel and assets have been regularly participating in the Malaysian defence exhibitions and other national events. All these high-profile visits and exchanges have not only substantially deepened the bilateral defence cooperation, but have indeed taken it to an altogether new level.