Future of the RMAF

[Fitri Shukri 0]

guys..are there any confirmation on how many airbus A400M we will purchase?is it going to replace the C-130s?we do have a weird habit of buying all variants of aircrafts eh?

 

and i cam across this at an airbus website..

 

 

source

there is a facility here in malaysia??anyone can clarify this?

 

Malaysia buying 4 A400M. Initially to complement the C130 but might eventually replace the Hercules.

[iwan 3]

thanks ofr the info Fitri..btw,i got myself a copy of perajurit (june 2008) which covered the 50 years of the RMAF..they were so many brilliant flying pics of the Su-30MkM especially the one on the front cover!any chances of 'purchasing' those pics u guys think?they even provided a flying Su-30MkM poster!not that nice but still

[iwan 3]

guys,i came across this pic while surfing the net and was wondering what was the MiG carrying on its pylons?

[mohamad khairi mohamed taib 0]

guys,i came across this pic while surfing the net and was wondering what was the MiG carrying on its pylons?

 

tu rasanya .. external fuel tank ... ada tiga ... one under her belly

[xtemujin 0]

RMAF may lease Gripens an option

By Marhalim Abas | Last updated on 24 September 2012 Monday | 10:02am

 

PETALING JAYA (Sept 23, 2012): The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is considering an offer from Sweden to lease up to 18 JAS39 Gripen fighter jets for its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme.

 

RMAF chief Tan Sri Rodzali Daud told theSun leasing the Gripens is a cheaper solution considering the huge capital expenditure needed for the procurement of new fighters.

 

"The Gripens had been leased to European air forces, so there is nothing new about such a deal.

 

"The aircraft also meets all of our MRCA requirements although I admit it is short on gas and range due to its small size," he said when asked to comment on claims by defence industry sources that Sweden has offered a lease-buy option for the Gripens.

 

Sources told theSun that offer was made after Gripen and the Sukhoi Su-30MKM were eliminated from the MRCA programme following technical evaluation by RMAF test pilots.

 

They said the three top contenders, namely Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon, would compete for the final stage of the programme, where their transfer of technology packages and off-set offers would be evaluated before the winner is selected.

 

Rodzali denied that Gripen and Sukhoi were no longer considered for the MRCA programme as "we are still evaluating all of the aircraft".

 

He also denied that RMAF had ranked the aircraft in the technical evaluation.

 

Instead, he said, the aircraft's strengths and weaknesses were documented for further evaluation.

 

According to him, one important factor for the final selection would be the lowest support cost. "If the Super Hornet is seen as the favourite, it is because we already have the Hornets (eight units) in service."

 

Asked how many Gripens will be leased if the offer is accepted, he said "preferably it will be 18 planes as specified in the MRCA".

 

He said despite budgetary constraints, the MRCA programme will go ahead as the air force has planned to retire the 10 MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority fighters by 2015. "We may need a special budget, one that covers three Malaysian plans," he added.

 

Rodzali declined to confirm the budget allocation for the MRCA programme but sources told theSun the air force could only procure 12 jets if it opts for the Super Hornet, Rafale or Typhoon.

 

Hungary and Czech operate the Gripens under a 10-year lease-and-buy contract, for around RM398 million a year, which covers servicing and training.

Rodzali dismissed any hint of an arm race in the impending buy.

 

"The reason we are looking for new fighters is because of the capability gap. We need to ensure we are on par with other nations.

 

"Another reason is technology. Technology is moving rapidly. We cannot afford to be left behind."

 

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/497484

[Cire 0]

Rafale in formation flight..

 

 

Typhoon with after-burner on...

 

 

Graceful Gripen...

 

 

Besides getting the best value for the money spent, the RMAF has to ensure that the Gripen (first flight 1997) is not dated by the time it reaches Malaysian skies.

 

Both the Rafale and the Typhoon are a much younger aircraft that is far more superior in technologies and flights than the SAAB build delta-wing.

 

We should go for quality instead of quantity if Rodzali is talking about keeping on par of the warfare technologies in this region.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Cire

[Syukri 0]

Lease? Wouldn't it be more expensive in a long term?

[Waiping 12]

Lease? Wouldn't it be more expensive in a long term?

 

Probably we can't afford to buy anymore.

[BC Tam 2]

Perhaps there is available now a Sweedish interpreter with good negotiating skills ?

[Cire 0]

Sigh.. If only our Government managed well its administrations, we would have been on par with most of the modern warfare in this region be it land , sea or air.

 

The new generation fighter aircraft is absolutely a magnificent flying machines indeed. The F22 Raptor is also a very potent aircraft as well.

 

[flee 5]

F22 is not for export. Even the US cannot afford it and have cut their orders.

 

F35 is the export version.

[Syukri 0]

Does the US open all their option for the proposed FA-18 Superhornet to Malaysian airforce? No use having a gun with no bullet..

[leon t 0]

its not the type of fighters or the numbers that really count for RMAF. The most important and critical issue is the operational readiness, and the maintenance regime - as its been reported before that the russian fighters now are at times only are operational at 50% or less ie half these fighters are not flyable.

[Cire 0]

its not the type of fighters or the numbers that really count for RMAF. The most important and critical issue is the operational readiness, and the maintenance regime - as its been reported before that the russian fighters now are at times only are operational at 50% or less ie half these fighters are not flyable.

 

 

If the above tried to imply that the Government would not be able to maintain the aircraft due to lack of funds, then it would be sensible to have them by leasing.

No argument here. If we can't afford them, leasing would be the better solution. Best yet, end of the lease, we could opt for other planes and leasing package * if we could afford.

 

But, the million dollars question is, are we really that poor that we need to lease them while having half of our present fleet rusting under the tropical weather?

Billions spent on off-shore tactical ships. Billions spent on submersibles. Millions spent on RVs. The list goes on.

Look like our Air-force are short-changed here. MIGs for angkasawan???

[Rozhan 0]

Little is heard of the Hawk. What role does it play in TUDM's fleet? It rarely appears even in air shows such as LIMA...

[BC Tam 2]

Interesting, this leasing of combat aircraft business

I can only imagine that in time of war, the nation (whichever it may be) would have much higher priorities other than to keep up with the lease payments. What happens then, do the repossesors move in ?

And what if the lessor and lessee nations somehow end up in conflict .......

[Amirul Mazlan 0]

The problem with maintenance, is it so hard to find and source parts? Or the fund have to go through middleman in stages? Once a friend told me the reliability of Bomba's Mil is quite good, considering it's Russian.

 

As for the Hawks, heard story that Malaysia initially ordered like, 80s. But half of them sitting in the desert.

[Rozhan 0]

Not the Skyhawks. I mean the BAe Hawks. Maybe they are not as glamorous as SU30s or Hornets, but they should be of use in the defense of the country...

[Cire 0]

Probably abandoning them (BAe Hawk and F5Es) due to ageing and lack/missing of spare parts.

 

The crew for one is a sad lot indeed. It will take at least half their career life before they are able to climb on board a MIG or Hornet.

 

Thinking out loud, since we are short of funds (modestly saying) to buy new aircraft, perhaps we too can lease our pilots and crews to other nations as well. With this move, our pilots will get to get more air-time experience rather than waiting on the ground while the big brass flies them (Hornets, MIGs).

Perhaps this was one of the issue that doesn't entice graduates to join the air force.

[Jimz 0]

One first need to have an in depth knowledge of the air force operation to be able to look at the big picture of what's goin on and appreciate the current state of our air force. By not seeing an aircraft performing in an airshow doesn't imply to that aircraft being abandon or less worthy. Mind you, airforce business is not about doing aerobatics manouvre in the first place. Sadly enough, given the interest shown by publics on the affairs of the air force some enthusiast still fails to distinguish between the decommissioned skyhawks with the still operational hawks.

 

The air force pilots are channeled to the various types of jets for their operational flying and it certainly doesn't take half of their career life to progress in their piloting career. Like i said earlier on, the workings of RMAF doesn't constitute to climbing on board a MIG or Hornet, or SU30 for that matter as a career progression. These misconception aroused from scant knowledge of air force in terms of career progression, pilots qualification, training, operations..etc

Air force being an armed arm of an armed forces can't simply lease their men to other nation as it will create conflict of interest when it comes to security and national's policy but there is such thing as exchange program that is being exercised involving RMAF's personnel with foreign services albeit more towards the training capacity rather than operational. And again contrary to the popular believe, the current pool of pilots do maintained a healthy hours of flying especially for the young wingmen compared to their big brass counterpart.

 

Life in the armed force be it air, naval or land is oftenly associated with hardship and discipline. Screwing and getting screwed, despite all the sugar coated media reports alas military is always a military. Apart from the overly exposed spare parts, maintenance, missing engine issues, the reality remain the same that this lifestyle doesn't appeal enough to current generations of Ipads, BB's, X-Box360 teens whose main aim upon graduation is a promised yuppie life of glamor and flamboyant conspicuous consumption. Nonetheless, be assured that the air force is not in dire state as there are still capable and promising cadre of graduates enticed to join the air force. :-)

[Lock SH 0]

Nice write up and balanced view. However, one has to remember that the sky rocketing of direct operating cost of RMAF, among other reasons, is due to outsourcing the maintenance of the assets. This is done by a few 'well connected' contractors at the price set by them. It started when privatisation of most of second and third line servicing (formerly know ASF - Aircraft Servicing Flight, done by RMAF personnel) during the era of you know who ............

 

 

[Cire 0]

Yes agreed. One need to really know the workings behind the air force before one can constructively comment about it.

 

My saying of the leasing of pilots were scanted sarcasm as I believed that young pilots were not given enough opportunities to climb on board a MIG or a Hornet until they rises to the ranks needed. Which brings me to another question, is there any true that we have more pilots than air crafts to fly in?

If I am wrong on this, I am happy to admit it as this means we will have a continuous stream of "pelapis muda" to guard our skies.

 

Anyhow, we all know how the controlled media sugar coats all its news to the public, which naturally will breed supporters and also skeptics with their news.

[BC Tam 2]

One first need to have an in depth knowledge of the air force operation to be able to look at the big picture of what's goin on and appreciate the current state of our air force

Yes agreed. One need to really know the workings behind the air force before one can constructively comment about it.

Then may as well get the mods to lock up this thread

For whoever professes to have and decide to share their "in depth knowledge" of the military here would likely be guilty of compromising the nation's security

[xtemujin 0]

Unusual formation: U.S. Navy F-18Es and Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30s. Overflying USS George Washington

15 October 2012 Monday

 

Taken in the South China Sea on Oct. 15, the following picture shows a quite unusual formation: two F/A-18Es from VFA-27 “Royal Maces” fly in formation with two Sukhoi Su-30s from the Royal Malaysian Air Force over USS George Washington.

http://theaviationist.com/2012/10/15/unusual-formation-2/

[leon t 0]

the major issue is why RMAF and the navy and even military always procure hardware like aircrafts and submarines through a 3rd party agency??? Considerung that these specific needs military specs are supposedly secret why still go through a private middleman agency?? Doesnt this compromise on the military needs n specs? Is there something on the pricing and why does the govt allow these agencies to charge a huge commission for these purchases as its in the millions/billions? In other countries like our neighbouring s'pore - all their air force planes and helicopters are all done on a govt to military manufacturers' directly.