Malaysian Hornets set for $72m upgrade

[flee 5]

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a possible $72 million deal to upgrade the Royal Malaysian Air Force's Boeing F/A-18D Hornets.

 

The proposed sale will cover a mid-life upgrade to the service's eight-strong fleet of aircraft, as well as six Raytheon ASQ-228 advanced targeting forward-looking infrared pods.

 

In addition, the deal will include software development, system integration and testing, test sets, aircrew and maintenance training, support equipment, spare and repair parts, and other elements, the agency said.

 

The announcement follows a request for the upgrades from the Malaysian government.

 

"Malaysia needs these assets to support future coalition operations and aircraft interoperability with the US and other regional partners," said the DSCA. "This will upgrade the current FLIR pod to a current configuration, reducing obsolescence issues." It will also give the Royal Malaysian Air Force "functionality similar to the US Navy", it said.

 

The principal contractor for the proposed deal is Boeing.

 

Malaysia's Hornet fleet was delivered in 1997, as listed in Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

 

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/16/356701/malaysian-hornets-set-for-72m-upgrade.html

[Radzi 2]

72m. Ringgit or USD?

 

Anyway looks like a fat commission for somebody.

[flee 5]

It would be US$.

 

That is $9m (RM 27m) per aircraft.

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

Just upgrades? No chance of F/A-18F purchase?

[Simon 3]

Is it necessary?

[KK Lee 5]

Just upgrades? No chance of F/A-18F purchase?

 

Unlikely because U.S. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 made it difficult to give fat commission.

[xtemujin 0]

Looks like there is no trade in of the RMAF FA18D for the FA18F.

[flee 5]

Boeing's Partnership In Malaysia To Have Substantial Spin-Offs In Transforming Aerospace Sector

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Boeing's continuing partnership with Malaysia will have substantial spin-offs in the transformation of the domestic economy, particularly in the aerospace sector, if the government opts for the Super Hornet, as the choice for its multi-role combat aircraft.

 

Among other things, benefits would come via increased industrial participation and transfer of specialised aerospace technology from Boeing itself and its other partners, Michael K. Gibbons, the Vice-President of F/A-18 & EA Programs for Boeing Military Aircraft, told Bernama in an interview.

 

Boeing has a strong presence jointly with Malaysian firms producing composite materials for aircraft parts.

 

Gibbons also said there would be economic benefits in areas such as employment opportunities, increased aerospace-related projects, as well as training of local aerospace and defence personnel.

 

This includes training Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots to fly the Super Hornets, which he said would be an easy transition, given their long experience in flying the current Hornets.

 

"It is fortunate that Malaysia has the kind of industry that we find easy to partner with," he added.

 

Partners which Boeing works closely with in the Super Hornet programme include Northrop Grumman, the defence technology company, Raytheon, an innovation leader in avionics, defence and homeland security, as well as multinational company General Electric, which powers the Super Hornet engines.

 

Gibbons said Malaysia's relations with the United States would also be further improved with increased trade and economic linkages and military cooperation.

 

Even during an economic downturn, the acquisition of the Super Hornets would be helpful in transferring specialised aerospace-related defence technology to Malaysia through its partners.

 

Gibbons has been in Malaysia over the past few days in conjunction with the maiden call of the USS George Washington -- the nuclear-powered super aircraft carrier -- to the country and which showcased almost 50 Super Hornets on its flight deck.

 

The US Navy is also the primary customer of the Super Hornets while Australia recently acquired 24 of the aircraft.

 

During the visit to the aircraft carrier at Port Klang, Gibbons said he managed to meet top defence officials, with many able to view first hand the Super Hornets on the vessel.

 

Malaysia had proposed in 2002 to buy 18 Super Hornets with the government still considering the matter, while several other global military aircraft firms are also vying to supply their own aircraft.

 

"The Super Hornets are a good value proposition based on its capabilities, affordability, availability and easy operability," he said.

 

Besides the Boeing F/A-16E/F Super Hornet, the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Sukhoi Su-30/35 are also competing to supply multi-role combat aircraft to Malaysia.

 

"We believe that Boeing's industrial participation in the Malaysian economy is very crucial in the overall package. We have the superior product and obviously in a great position to provide a great offset package," Gibbons said.

[Cire 0]

Great. Looks like our RMAF is going somewhere.

 

I like the idea that the upgrading of the RMAF aircraft are to be done in consistence with the regions' warfare technology level and the ability to interact with other formidable forces like the US or its allies (countries with similar aircraft).