Reinventing the Wheel and Juche

PETALING JAYA: Much has been said about the need for self-reliance or Juche in Korean in terms of arms manufacturing. Much more funds have been spend in such national interest projects, in the past, current and the future.

But have we really gotten past the gate post yet? Based on current evidence not yet. Even when in comes to support, we are still reliant on others. Take for example the Hornet fleet, it is still maintained by Boeing. And moves are being made to allow OEM to support helicopters and the future MRCA. After supporting the Armed Forces for the last 50 years, it appears that the local industry has not improve enough to justify confidence among the technocrats.

Anyhow the story below is self explainatory. While we are so busy talking about building rifles and frigates and assembling APCs, the rest of the world is moving ahead. I expect in a few years time, somebody will be proclaiming that they are the proud local builder of a blaster. And before we forget, who owns the Technical Data Package?

Neuroscience the new face of warfare: experts
(Reuters) – Directed energy weapons that use wave beams to cause pain, and electrical brain stimulation that boosts a soldier’s combat ability – it may sound like science fiction warfare, but experts say advances in neuroscience mean it’s on the horizon.

Rapid progress in the ability to map brain activity and manipulate its responses with stimulants could change the face of warfare, a panel of experts said on Tuesday.

–Malaysian Defence