The United States and Russia have deployed their air and naval assets to Malaysia for a defense exhibition as Washington and Moscow jostle for influence in Southeast Asia.
Newsweek has contacted the Pentagon and the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The encounter in Malaysia marked the second time this year that U.S. and Russian militaries have shared the same stage at a defense-related event in Asia. Stealth fighter jets from both nations—the F-35A and the Su-57E—also participated in an air show in India in February.
Southeast Asian nations have carefully navigated the rivalries between major powers, including China, amid the great power competition. For the U.S., the region is a key component of its Indo-Pacific strategy, while Russia seeks to assert its influence as it remains engaged in a war in Europe.
What To Know
The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition was held from Tuesday to Saturday on Langkawi Island in the Strait of Malacca off the northwestern coast of Malaysia. The biennial event featured 102 aircraft and 35 naval ships from different nations.
The U.S. military deployed two F/A-18E fighter jets, a C-130J transport aircraft, an MH-60R helicopter, the destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee and more than 400 personnel to the event, showing the shared commitment of the U.S. and Malaysia to “a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Meanwhile, photos show the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which was previously tracked transiting the Strait of Malacca en route to the Indian Ocean, docked at Port Klang—near Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur—on Wednesday, with the destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur.
“Malaysia continues to be a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, the commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. He said his command had strengthened close naval cooperation with Malaysia through numerous joint exercises and exchanges.
Russia sent two Pacific Fleet corvettes—the Rezky and the Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov—to Langkawi Island on Monday, while the country’s aerobatic team, the Russian Knights, performed at the exhibition’s opening ceremony the following day.
Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state-run defense export agency, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reviewed the Russian military equipment on display. Malaysia operates several Russian-made weapon systems, including the Su-30MKM fighter jets.
Last week, Anwar paid an official visit to Moscow and met with President Vladimir Putin. He described Malaysia’s relationship with Russia as “special,” adding that both nations were committed to upholding the principles of rule of international law and sovereignty.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan said: “From our aircraft and warships to our companies and innovators, the American presence at [the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition] demonstrates our robust military and commercial engagement across the region. We are proud to stand with Malaysia as partners, friends, and defenders of a free and open Indo-Pacific—working to build a region that is safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: “We ascribe to the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] position of centrality takes a very strong committed position to engage with all our neighboring countries and partners, East and West, United States, China, India, Australia and the rest and I think this for me, means truly strategic engagements with partners that will secure and ensure peace for the present and future.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Russia and Malaysia are bound by long-standing traditions of friendship and mutual understanding. We have always strived to consider each other’s interests, work as partners, and build cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and we continue to do so.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen how the U.S. and Russia will maintain or expand their military presence in Southeast Asia alongside China, where disputes in the South China Sea remain unsolved.
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