I am quite happy that the Government finally decided to retire the Mig-29s by 2010 and to call for international tenders for new Multi Role Combat Aircrafts (MRCA) intended to be used by the RMAF.
According to the Defence Minister, the contenders for the MRCA would be from the United States, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The not so cryptic hint would mean the F-18E/F, Rafale, Gripen and Typhoon. I am salivating at the prospect of Rafale and Typhoon being considered and quite honestly I am quite surprised in their inclusion since sometime back, the Air force Chief suggested that it would either be the Super Hornets and failing which an increase in the number of SU-30MKMs.
It is interesting to see the result of India’s MRCA competition for 126 fighter jets to replace her ageing fleet of MiG21s. Due to the close working relationship between Malaysia and India, the choice by India would provide strong clue as to Malaysia’s pick. It may not necessarily determine Malaysia’s pick but it would strongly affect the decision by the policy makers in Malaysia.
India’s MRCA competition have been going on for the past 5 years or more, beginning with light fighter jets such as the F-16 C/D Block 50+, Mirage 2000-5, Gripen and the Mig-29 OVT and have now evolved to include the heavyweights, Super Hornets, Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen and an improved version of the UAE’s F-16 Block 60.
Due to budgetary constraints, I doubt it if Malaysia will purchase Typhoon or Rafale. In as much as I would love to see either one of the two fighters flying with the RMAF I doubt it that these aircrafts will be serious contenders since these aircrafts are about 30% to 40% more than the price of F-18E/F or the SU-30MKM. Purchasing either one would also prove to be a logistical nightmare, more so in inducting a French fighter jet into a myriad of Russian (SU-30MKM), US (F-18), UK (Hawk) and Italian (MB-339) jets in the RMAF inventory ! Besides, the French hasn’t been able to secure a single export customer for its Rafale and that would cast doubt on the future modernisation programme of Rafale.
Historically, the RMAF seems to favour twin engines for its front line fighters with MiG-29, F-18C and SU-30MKM in its inventory. The Swedish Gripen and US F-16s are single engine fighter jets. But then again, one can never know. Among the other contenders, Sweden appears to be more than willing to conduct extensive Transfer of Technology programme, a significant consideration as far as the Malaysian policy makers are concerned. Some industry analyst believes that its operational range holds Gripen back. The Swede acknowledging Gripen’s limitation has re-designed the Gripen and the NG Version now offers 40% more range than the C/D model due to the expanded internal and external fuel capacity.
I don’t think F-16 will be considered since we already operate an F-18C and naturally an upgrade to an F-18E/F would be more desirable if we opt for a US make jets. Besides, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia all operate F-16s for more than 2 decades and would have an advantage over us in terms of combat tactics and operational knowledge of the F-16s should we now decide to purchase the Vipers.
Which brings us to the preferred choice of our Air Force Chief, the F-18 E/F or additional SU-30MKM. Before the purchase of SU-30MKM, Boeing offered to take back our 8 Hornets and supply us with Super Hornets. For reasons best known to the policy makers, we opted for SU-30MKM.
On the assumption that the US will be fair in their dealing with us in providing the latest avionics and weaponry, the Super Hornets will be an ideal choice. It is battle tested, advanced AESA radar, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System that simply allows the pilot to simply look at the target to shoot as oppose to having to align the aircraft. It’s onboard all the US Navy aircraft carriers. If it is good enough to be onboard US Navy Carrier Battle Group to perform fleet defence and strike missions, it will be more than good enough for us. Besides our air force didn’t face any problem in their operation of Hornets.
A combination of existing SU-30MKM and F-18EF would be a wet dream for any Malaysian air force enthusiast.
According to the Defence Minister, the contenders for the MRCA would be from the United States, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The not so cryptic hint would mean the F-18E/F, Rafale, Gripen and Typhoon. I am salivating at the prospect of Rafale and Typhoon being considered and quite honestly I am quite surprised in their inclusion since sometime back, the Air force Chief suggested that it would either be the Super Hornets and failing which an increase in the number of SU-30MKMs.
It is interesting to see the result of India’s MRCA competition for 126 fighter jets to replace her ageing fleet of MiG21s. Due to the close working relationship between Malaysia and India, the choice by India would provide strong clue as to Malaysia’s pick. It may not necessarily determine Malaysia’s pick but it would strongly affect the decision by the policy makers in Malaysia.
India’s MRCA competition have been going on for the past 5 years or more, beginning with light fighter jets such as the F-16 C/D Block 50+, Mirage 2000-5, Gripen and the Mig-29 OVT and have now evolved to include the heavyweights, Super Hornets, Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen and an improved version of the UAE’s F-16 Block 60.
Due to budgetary constraints, I doubt it if Malaysia will purchase Typhoon or Rafale. In as much as I would love to see either one of the two fighters flying with the RMAF I doubt it that these aircrafts will be serious contenders since these aircrafts are about 30% to 40% more than the price of F-18E/F or the SU-30MKM. Purchasing either one would also prove to be a logistical nightmare, more so in inducting a French fighter jet into a myriad of Russian (SU-30MKM), US (F-18), UK (Hawk) and Italian (MB-339) jets in the RMAF inventory ! Besides, the French hasn’t been able to secure a single export customer for its Rafale and that would cast doubt on the future modernisation programme of Rafale.
Historically, the RMAF seems to favour twin engines for its front line fighters with MiG-29, F-18C and SU-30MKM in its inventory. The Swedish Gripen and US F-16s are single engine fighter jets. But then again, one can never know. Among the other contenders, Sweden appears to be more than willing to conduct extensive Transfer of Technology programme, a significant consideration as far as the Malaysian policy makers are concerned. Some industry analyst believes that its operational range holds Gripen back. The Swede acknowledging Gripen’s limitation has re-designed the Gripen and the NG Version now offers 40% more range than the C/D model due to the expanded internal and external fuel capacity.
I don’t think F-16 will be considered since we already operate an F-18C and naturally an upgrade to an F-18E/F would be more desirable if we opt for a US make jets. Besides, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia all operate F-16s for more than 2 decades and would have an advantage over us in terms of combat tactics and operational knowledge of the F-16s should we now decide to purchase the Vipers.
Which brings us to the preferred choice of our Air Force Chief, the F-18 E/F or additional SU-30MKM. Before the purchase of SU-30MKM, Boeing offered to take back our 8 Hornets and supply us with Super Hornets. For reasons best known to the policy makers, we opted for SU-30MKM.
On the assumption that the US will be fair in their dealing with us in providing the latest avionics and weaponry, the Super Hornets will be an ideal choice. It is battle tested, advanced AESA radar, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System that simply allows the pilot to simply look at the target to shoot as oppose to having to align the aircraft. It’s onboard all the US Navy aircraft carriers. If it is good enough to be onboard US Navy Carrier Battle Group to perform fleet defence and strike missions, it will be more than good enough for us. Besides our air force didn’t face any problem in their operation of Hornets.
A combination of existing SU-30MKM and F-18EF would be a wet dream for any Malaysian air force enthusiast.
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