Malaysia launches Cyber Force Nucleus Team to establish fourth military branch

The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) has launched the Cyber Force Nucleus Team, a strategic initiative aimed at establishing a fourth branch of the military to address modern digital and electromagnetic warfare threats. Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced the move during the 93rd ATM Day celebrations at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut.

The new branch is expected to be fully operational by 2030. The Nucleus Team will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and developing the requirements for the Cyber Force, which will integrate existing cyber capabilities from the Malaysian Army, the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force into a single specialized entity.

To support this transition, the military plans to recruit new personnel with expertise in information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative focuses on strengthening national defense readiness against non-traditional security threats that target connected military systems and critical infrastructure.