Cyber Force to become fourth Armed Forces service by 2030 [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: The armed forces have established a nucleus team to spearhead the formation of a Cyber Force, which is targeted to become operational by 2030.

Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman said the fourth service was necessary as cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare had become critical domains in modern security and military operations, with regional neighbours and other countries already developing similar capabilities.

"Last year, we established the nucleus team as part of our future force planning. The team will plan and assess the steps needed to turn the Cyber Force operational.

"The Defence Ministry has agreed to our guidelines. The aim is to have an operational Cyber Force by 2030 to carry out its duties in this domain," he said in an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times for the 93rd Armed Forces Day.

He said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was expected to launch the nucleus team during the Armed Forces Day celebrations at the Lumut Naval Base on Saturday.

He said capability development in cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA) was underway, covering cyber operations, electronic warfare and spectrum management.

"These capabilities have been applied during Exercise Camar Kilat Series 2/26 to generate operational effects within the CEMA framework.

"The armed forces are also building a pool of CEMA specialists, with 60 air force officers and 17 from other ranks having attended related courses up to July."

In July, Khaled told the Dewan Negara that work was underway to establish the Cyber Force as the fourth service branch of the armed forces to counter threats from modern and cognitive warfare.

He said warfare had shifted from traditional physical combat to dominance in cyberspace and shaping public perception.