Rafale aircraft system integrator and manufacturer Dassault Aviation and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore areas of co-operation for mutual benefit. Common educational and shared research and development (R&D) projects with specific technical focuses on areas like system integration, composite manufacturing and unmanned aerial vehicle technology are the preliminary topics identified for co-operation, a Bernama report said today.Speaking to the media after signing the MoU, Rafale Programme Director, Malaysia, for Dassault Aviation, Daniel Fremont said, “We have identified USM, one of top Malaysian institutions in aerospace education and innovation, as a major partner to be part of the Dassault Aviation worldwide university network.”The two parties signed the MoU at the Global Defence Services and Government Security Event 2014 here.The group’s co-operation programme includes supporting human capital development and technology building in Malaysia, Fremont said.The MOU is within the framework of the Co-operation Programme as per the Malaysian Ministry of Defence’s requirements for the future acquisition of multi-role fighter aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Bernama said.