RMAF Future; need opinions

[STURM]

It was expected that both would be selected. Apart from what Leonardo was offering there wasn't much competition for the Anka. It was the desired option; both from a technical and political perspective. The RMAF has announced that the MALEs will be based at Labuan. On the MPAs the ATR was the favourite from the start and apparently some negotiations went on to reduce the price.

As it stands if there is a change of government in the next General Elections [to be held this year or next] both deals will probably be delayed.

 

[koxinga]

Interestingly enough, the Philippines are likely to be selecting the ATR-72 with Israeli sensors for their MPA requirements.

 

[STURM]

The aircraft is offered which a pretty decent sensor/mission suite and various things which are compatible can be added if a customer so chooses. Adding Israeli stuff will entail integration and certification; driving up overall costs.

 

[STURM]

The RMAF has acquired an aerial mine laying capability for its C-130Hs and A400Ms. The make of the mine hasn't yet been identified.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The RMAF has acquired an aerial mine laying capability for its C-130Hs and A400Ms. The make of the mine hasn't yet been identified.

What kind of mine dispensers are these things?
Anti-personnel/anti-tank for on land or floating/subsurface ones for use at sea?

 

[STURM]

Sea mines. The RMN has had a mine capability for decades but this is new for the RMAF and I'm unaware of any other A400M user which uses the type for mine laying.

 

[Ananda]

Akhirnya, Malaysia Memilih FA-50 Block 20 Keluaran Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) - Defence Security Asia

Akhirnya, pesawat pejuang ringan dan latihan lanjutan (Fighter Lead-In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft) FA-50 Block 20 keluaran Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) muncul sebagai pemenang dalam tender untuk membekalkan pesawat jenis itu kepada Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM).

defencesecurityasia.com

Malaysia officially put FA-50 Block 20 as LCA/LIFT winner on the selection. Before hand HAL seems already throw towel in the competition, and acknowledge KAI in the lead contention.

Malaysia may choose Korean aircraft over HAL’s Tejas, says HAL CMD at Aero India

Meanwhile, Argentina and Egypt have exhibited their interest in the Tejas aircraft.

indianexpress.com

This also means the 18 FA-50 could be the first batch on two sq of LCA/LIFT that previously being talk by Malaysian media and forums.

Add Korean sources:

KAI, FA-50 18대 말레이시아 수출 성공... 1조2천억 원 규모!

KAI, FA-50 말레이시아 수출 성공...1조2천억 원 규모 - 동남아 주변국 높은 평가 주효, 2차 사업 포함 최대 36대 수출 전망 - ......

bemil.chosun.com

한국항공우주/단일판매ㆍ공급계약체결/2023.02.24

 

[koxinga]

Interestingly, the Malaysian Defense Minister confirmed during parliament debates on the budget that they had contacted the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense at least 3 times to enquire on the availability of the used Hornets without getting a response.

More on LCS and LMS Batch 2 - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: In a post earlier on LMS Batch 2, Defence Minister DSU Mohamad Hasan was reported as saying that he will be going to Turkiye to negotiate the procurement of the LMS Batch 2 from that country. He was speaking in Parliament as part of the 2023 budget approval [...]

www.malaysiandefence.com

 

[Ananda]

This also means the 18 FA-50 could be the first batch on two sq of LCA/LIFT that previously being talk by Malaysian media and forums.

LIMA 2023: KAI says Malaysia keen to order 18 additional FA-50s

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said that Malaysia's order of 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft will be followed by a second order of an additional 18 aircraft.

www.janes.com

Jane's got information from KAI that Malaysia will execute the order for 2nd batch of 18 FA-50. The way I see it the First Batch going to be use to fill the gap from Mig-29 and the Second Batch for replacement of Hawk 200. Mig 29 already in reserve, while Hawk 200 still operational. So logically they will use FA-50 to fill the gap for Mig 29 first.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

LIMA 2023: KAI says Malaysia keen to order 18 additional FA-50s

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said that Malaysia's order of 18 FA-50 light combat aircraft will be followed by a second order of an additional 18 aircraft.

www.janes.com

Jane's got information from KAI that Malaysia will execute the order for 2nd batch of 18 FA-50. The way I see it the First Batch going to be use to fill the gap from Mig-29 and the Second Batch for replacement of Hawk 200. Mig 29 already in reserve, while Hawk 200 still operational. So logically they will use FA-50 to fill the gap for Mig 29 first.

Thank you for explaining. I found these two videos but i didn't realize that it was a second batch of 18 FA-50. (Probably because i don't understand that language)

The KAI T-50 is quite popular among the ASEAN-countries....

 

[Ananda]

I believe that KBS video is about the signing on final contract for first batch of 18 FA-50. This article from Bemil Chosun explain that.

이종섭 국방부장관, 한-말레이시아 국방장관회담 개최 및 FA-50 최종계약식 임석 / 국방부 제공

‘말레이시아 LIMA ’23 국제에어쇼‘에 참가한 블랙이글스 영상이종섭 국방장관 말레이시아 현지 FA-50 18대 수출 최종 계약식 참석, ......

bemil.chosun.com

So far, Jane's article is the one that explain 2nd batch will be execute. Although Malaysian sources before already stated that 2nd batch is expected.

Yes T-50 family is already quite a take in not only in South East Asia, but also Internationally. It is an aircraft that make sense for those who looks for both LCA and LIFT capabilities.

Malaysian media and online forums talk that FA-50 narrowly beat Indian Tejas for this LCA and LIFT competition. Tejas reported has edge as LCA but latest iteration on FA-50 close the Tejas advantage as LCA. While FA-50 already got advantage on LIFT capabilities.

Thus for those who looking both capabilities, it is make more sense with FA-50.

 

[koxinga]

Cost effective seems to be the value proposition for the T/FA-50s success, along with short delivery times.

For airforces with limited numbers of full fledged multi-role jets, they can take over part of the air sovereignty/QRA missions. This in turn will reduce the wear and tear of these expensive jets, stretching the airframe hours and time between overhauls.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Malaysian government has signed a contract with Aeritalia for 2 ATR 72 MPA. The ATRs are for Maritime Patrol use, but it is unclear if these two aircrafts are for TUDM or TLDM.

So in the recent period Malaysia has ordered these items:
18 x KAI FA-50M
2 x ATR P-72 MPA
3 x TAI ANKA S MALE-UAS
4 x Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk

Leonardo memenangkan kontrak dua pesawat ATR 72 MPA untuk Malaysia

AIRSPACE REVIEW (airspace-review.com) - Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia telah menandatangani kontrak untuk mengakuisisi dua unit pesawat

www.airspace-review.com

 

[koxinga]

The Malaysian government has signed a contract with Aeritalia for 2 ATR 72 MPA. The ATRs are for Maritime Patrol use, but it is unclear if these two aircrafts are for TUDM or TLDM.

So in the recent period Malaysia has ordered these items:
18 x KAI FA-50M 2 x Leonardo P-72 MPA 3 x TAI ANKA S MALE-UAS 4 x Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk

Leonardo memenangkan kontrak dua pesawat ATR 72 MPA untuk Malaysia

AIRSPACE REVIEW (airspace-review.com) - Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia telah menandatangani kontrak untuk mengakuisisi dua unit pesawat

www.airspace-review.com

MPA assets are TUDM/RMAF operated , same with their old Air Kings, and their CN-235 MPA conversions, but the mission crew I think is part RMN.

The UH-60s are leased assets for PUTD.

 

[Meriv90]

Last year they were MSA, Multimission Surveillance Aircraft
But when they sold they changed the nomenclature to MPA,
Did the suite change or it is just Leonardo that is selling a MSA like MPA for marketing reasons?

 

[Ananda]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02mekj6jAAMD1KobC7BB1yx1DCxTNn4UTvNe4zxc6SQB9KjcWzJfEXrHFB7pab2Zbol&id=100034744016794&mibextid=Nif5oz

DI FB pages shown the last CN235-220 MPA conversion belong to Malaysian AF (TUDM). This conclude contract between DI and TUDM for all three CN-235 conversion from Cargo to MPA.



Pictures from that DI FB page.

 

[Ananda]

Two RMN Helicopters Crashed, Updated. - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: Two RMN helicopters – a Fennec and an AW139 – crashed following a mid-air collision during a training flight at the Lumut airbase this morning. Pictures of the crash helicopter revealed that the two helicopters are M502-06 (Eurocopter Fennec) and M503-3, the Leonardo AW139, with the...

www.malaysiandefence.com

Two Malaysian Navy (RMN) Helicopters crash after air collision between the two. The video shown the accident. Incident happen in Malaysian Navy Lumut Airbase. RIP for the fallen as reported all 10 crew from both helicopters lost their lives.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Two RMN Helicopters Crashed, Updated. - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: Two RMN helicopters – a Fennec and an AW139 – crashed following a mid-air collision during a training flight at the Lumut airbase this morning. Pictures of the crash helicopter revealed that the two helicopters are M502-06 (Eurocopter Fennec) and M503-3, the Leonardo AW139, with the...

www.malaysiandefence.com

Two Malaysian Navy (RMN) Helicopters crash after air collision between the two. The video shown the accident. Incident happen in Malaysian Navy Lumut Airbase. RIP for the fallen as reported all 10 crew from both helicopters lost their lives.

Two days ago in Japan a helicopter collision, now in Malaysia...
Here two (uncensored) videos.

Tien mensen omgekomen bij helikopterbotsing in Maleisië

Het leger was bezig met een oefening in de buurt van een marinebasis in de staat Perak.

nos.nl

 

[Ananda]

Add video from Malaysian TV3 sites.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1782618995142926783

Clearer picture of collision above seems the Lumut Naval Base Sport Complex. The guy that filmed this video nearly miss one of the helicopter debris. Seems the Fenec fall near him, while the AW139 to other direction. Other picture in sandhi and my previous post, shown the AW139 fall on the Football/Athletic stadium.

 

[John Fedup]

Bad week for helicopters, this incident and the earlier JMDF collision.