RMAF Future; need opinions

qwerty223

New Member
That's very cheeky of you ! :)
I daresay that the F-18F (which I understand the RMAF is considering for its next MRCA) simply has better ordnance targeting capabilities and ordnance selection making it a superior air to ground platform to the SU-30MKM. But that's just my 50 cents...;)
It depends on which brand you favor. The so called battle proved is that Eagles was fortunate enough to born in the right country. I wont agreed to use the word "superior" in the last sentence, "reliable" is more appropriate. But the Super Hornets are the ideal candidate for the next (striker) MRCA.
 

qwerty223

New Member
It won't happen though. Its ideal only from the US perspective. Doesn't fulfil most of the requirements of the Indian MRCA though.

The irony is that the J10 would truly have been ideal.... Too bad for politics...
Are you serious?:confused:
Anyways, my MRCA here is limited in RMAF, nothing related to India.
 

johngage

New Member
thats the $64k question - but the issue is potential. I don't see anything that constricts the platforms potential. If you look at the israelis and the french, they have a demonstrated history of being able to integrate disparate systems into package specific solutions. The Israelis already did this with the Mig 29 when they specced out a prototype for the Romanians - now granted the price was too high, but the Mig 29 Sniper showed what was possible. At an organic level of integration (as in contracting within the procurement structure rather than pure outsourcing) then look no further than the Indians.
Just like to pick your brains here, now Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. That strikes me as being a massive handicap when it comes to systems integration between Western and Russian equipment. For my mind, what would have been a very lethal package would have been to buy an SU-30 airframe and ask the Israelis to modify the hell out of it with the world's best sourced avionics, and as much US/Euro/Israeli tech that you can find. I honestly don't think anyone can do it as well as they can. Now Malaysia does not possess anywhere near the aerospace tech the Israelis possess. What would be the next best solution? Closer tech cooperation with India? Any thoughts? Because you are right about the potential, the SU-30 airframe is large, agile, and certainly has plenty of room for development.
 

qwerty223

New Member
Just like to pick your brains here, now Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. That strikes me as being a massive handicap when it comes to systems integration between Western and Russian equipment. For my mind, what would have been a very lethal package would have been to buy an SU-30 airframe and ask the Israelis to modify the hell out of it with the world's best sourced avionics, and as much US/Euro/Israeli tech that you can find. I honestly don't think anyone can do it as well as they can. Now Malaysia does not possess anywhere near the aerospace tech the Israelis possess. What would be the next best solution? Closer tech cooperation with India? Any thoughts? Because you are right about the potential, the SU-30 airframe is large, agile, and certainly has plenty of room for development.
Israel is not the only one to export/provide "service". Many nations have their own approach. Even we put our sight near Russian military products, many of them result of close relationship between many European nations and the namely Israel. At least, for example, RAC MiG has a very tight cooperation with Thales in co-develop of avionics. And don't neglect growth of India, their progress is tremendous.
 

qwerty223

New Member
The more appropriate question is whether there is such thing as an MRCA in the context of the RMAF.

The Migs were tasked for air defence whilst the F18s were procured for A2G purposes. Hence, the concept tends to be a little blurred. Notwithstanding that both can do missions of the other, that is nevertheless the basis in which they were procured.

I'm not even sure that the RMAF has a coherent force structure to begin with. I think they are still trying to patch up the problems associated with the introduction of the Mig29 in the first instance. Having squadron sizes of 8 and 18 tends to throw spanners into force structures. Flights will need to be reorg into 2, 3, 4 and 6s.

Basically, my understanding is that the RMAF intends to build up an AD deterrent first. Hence the procurement of more Su30s which are basically geared towards supplementing the Mig29s for AD (and provide a replacement choice when the Mig29s finally gets canned).

The rationale is simple. Unlike the SAF, the MA doesn't need a lot of air support as that segment of the armed forces is expected to have local ground superiority (at least in numbers). The RMAF is therefore first and foremost tasked to deny enemy air forces from assisting their ground forces.
Well, I follow to use MRCA was assume RMAF to restructure their fighter fleet into 2 types of assets, MKMs and F (or E/F), each 18. For at present, 8 for D is not a odd thing after all, many countries air force has 8 Hornets D/F accompany with dozen of A/C/E. MiGs are issues to be solved, but unlikely to have vast upgrades. I will not surprise if they will be replaced one by one with the 35 or M/M2. But this much depends on how India MRCA goes.

Tho' from my observation, likely will remain the the current 18 Heavy F/A MKMs, 18 interceptor MiGs (I suppose still MiGs in the future), and 12 F/A (multirole) Hornets. I am not that sure the interceptor will still exist, because when i follow news regarding either MKM purchase or MiG retire rumor, i notice RMAF Chief always emphasized "we need 2 sqd to defence our air space." So, to keep only 2 types of asset is not impossible.
 

Ozzy Blizzard

New Member
OK so now Malaysia wants E/F Block IIs and probably F-35As from this story, after having just acquired Su-30MKMs. But I thought according to Air Power Australia and its supporters that the Su-30MKM was far superior to these two US weapon systems? Can Carlo Kopp and Peter Goon explain what's going on? Or their DefenceTalk familiars "Occum" and "Ozzy Blizzard"? Surely the RMAF isn't also the victim of this vast 'conspiracy' of 'incompetence' articulated by APA to explain why the RAAF isn't following their proposed force structures? Please explain...
Hey there AGRA, been away for a while mate, how've you been? Converted any heathens lately??? Keep tryin anyway crusader, you've got my support.

Just to clarify I am goon right????? :eek:nfloorl:

This is a pretty silly statement my freind. For one thing i could put the same question to you. If the SH is soo superior to the Flanker in the Air superiority role, then why did they buy the Su 30MKM????? Perhaps the answers in the question. Perhaps they're inteded to fulfill different roles, the SH is a great strike platform, gives the RMAF acsess to US PGMs like the whole J series of weapons (apart from JASSM) and is a good EW asset, were the Flanker on the other hand is a fearsome air superiority platform in addition to the great, long range marritime strike capability it gives them. AFAIK Malaysia allways wanted F18E/F as a part of their force structure, however this doesent automaticaly mean that this somehow shows the supposed deficiencies the other platform has in the air superiority role. That seems like a big leap to me mate, but i guess anythings justified in a holy war huh? By that rational you could argue that the F111 is a better air superiority platform than the F18 because we didnt replace it.

And were did you get F35 from, because they said the word stealthy??????

Forgive me but i'm struggleing to see what relevance I or APA have to an article about RMAF future force structure??? Perhaps this shows that the real intention of this thread has little to do with the RMAF's future platform aquisitions and more to do with your personal views towards APA and me (since were the same thing:eek:nfloorl: ) and therefore the article you posted has about as much relevence to this thread as the argument i've quoted has to it. So instead of starting threads willy nille with names like "RMAF wants more deadly Hornetts" that really have nothing to do with the RMAF and everything to do with your own personal crusade, why dont we start up an APA thread you you can cry and winge all you want. Then i wont have to read your bitching, being lured into threads like this one under false pretences, like the promise of an interesting conversation to be dissapionted by the same old APA this and occum & ozzy blizzard that.

I was under the impression this forum was intended to be a place of respectfull debate and an catalist for an exchange of idea's, not an outlet for someones personal mission. So do us all a favor mate and confine your APA crusade to an APA thread.
 
Last edited:

qwerty223

New Member
2 points, the RMAF needs more than 2 squadrons to defend its airspace and it has only 8 F18s.

2 squadrons can enable 1 each to be deployed in east and west Malaysia (but even then the airspace coverage is huge hence the added range of the Su-30 is welcomed). However, more likely everything will still be concentrated at Kuantan.

For its airspace, it probably needs about 6 to really provide adequate coverage. From a budget perspective, actually I think J-10s would be a good buy to ramp up numbers and replace older F5s.
Well, recon aircraft can be present Fulcrums, after they became reserved. J-10 come in will mess up the structure.
 

Tasman

Ship Watcher
Verified Defense Pro
2 points, the RMAF needs more than 2 squadrons to defend its airspace and it has only 8 F18s.

2 squadrons can enable 1 each to be deployed in east and west Malaysia (but even then the airspace coverage is huge hence the added range of the Su-30 is welcomed). However, more likely everything will still be concentrated at Kuantan.
I understood that the MIG-29s would be retained for several more decades so I presume they would be the main air defence component, with the FA-18Ds (and/or SHs if they are procured) filling the strike and maritime strike role and the Su-30MKMs acting as a 'swing' force working mainly in the air defence role but with an additional A2G role if required.

Cheers
 

Ozzy Blizzard

New Member
I understood that the MIG-29s would be retained for several more decades so I presume they would be the main air defence component,
If they are intending to keep the fulcrums around for a few more decades perhaps it would be wise to invest in some of the mulitirole upgrades for the fulcrum revealed in the MiG 35 programe. Even just some avionics upgrades and the ZHUK AE AESA radar to allow russian PGM/AShM and R77/R27EP would increase survivability and utility well into the future. Well worth the investment IMO.

with the FA-18Ds (and/or SHs if they are procured) filling the strike and maritime strike role and the Su-30MKMs acting as a 'swing' force working mainly in the air defence role but with an additional A2G role if required.
This does seem to be the best use of the force structure, however both models have a good degree of flexability and utility. The SU 30MKM is a formidable air superiority and maritime strike/PGM platform, the SH is a great strike platform with good A2A capabilities. Its a good, diverse, flexible force structure.
 

Tasman

Ship Watcher
Verified Defense Pro
If they are intending to keep the fulcrums around for a few more decades perhaps it would be wise to invest in some of the mulitirole upgrades for the fulcrum revealed in the MiG 35 programe. Even just some avionics upgrades and the ZHUK AE AESA radar to allow russian PGM/AShM and R77/R27EP would increase survivability and utility well into the future. Well worth the investment IMO.

This does seem to be the best use of the force structure, however both models have a good degree of flexability and utility. The SU 30MKM is a formidable air superiority and maritime strike/PGM platform, the SH is a great strike platform with good A2A capabilities. Its a good, diverse, flexible force structure.
Welcome back Ozzy.

I agree that the Fulcrums will need to be updated.

RMAF Chief Gen Datuk Seri Azizan Ariffin was reported to have that "Although a decade old, the MiG-29Ns are still very useful and can serve up to 30 years with proper maintenance and refurbishment."

NST 01/06/2007 article by Adrian David

http://archives.emedia.com.my/bin/m...&fdd=1&tdd=1&p_L=25&p_SortBy1=DA&p_Ascend1=NO

So it seems that the RMAF is well aware of the need to upgrade its Fulcrums.

I also agree with what you say about the multi role nature of the Super Hornet. The SH and the Flanker could easily reverse the roles I've suggested in the way the force structure is used.

Cheers
 

qwerty223

New Member
Ok. I help ding to complete it.
News from NST

11th Squadron gets first pair of Sukhois
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s latest squadron got its first aircraft on Tuesday when two Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flanker fighter jets were delivered.
The Russian-made aircraft were onboard an Antonov An-124-100 cargo aircraft, which landed at the Gong Kedak air base in Kelantan at 6.30pm.

An RMAF spokesman said two more aircraft were scheduled to arrive later this year.

The four will be on display at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition in December.

The full squadron of 18 aircraft, procured in a deal estimated at US$900 million (RM3.08 billion), would be in operation by the end of next year.
The aircraft will form the RMAF’s 11th Squadron, to be based in Gong Kedak, the air force’s newest base.

The delivery of the two aircraft came while Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was in Moscow meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on his first official visit to that country since becoming prime minister.

The aircraft were made at the Irkutsk aviation plant of the Irkut Corporation and are currently being assembled and inspected.

The two aircraft were formally handed over to RMAF chief Gen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin in a roll-out ceremony at the plant earlier this year.

The Su-30MKM (an abbreviation which stands for modernised, commercial, Malaysia) is an advanced modification of the widely known multifunctional fighter jet, Su-30MKK.

However, the Malaysian version of the fighter jet significantly differs from the prototype in various systems.

Highly-manoeuvrable, the Su-30MKI version of the jet was also ordered by the Indian Air Force.

The aircraft will significantly beef up the RMAF’s air defence capabilities as the squadron joins the existing fleet of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29N Fulcrum, Boeing F/A-18D Hornet and BAE Systems Hawk 108 and 208 fighters.

The Fulcrums, like the Flankers, are made in Russia, while the Hornets and Hawks are American and British.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070621075734/Article/index_html
 

Tebuan

New Member
Its good to hear that RMAF is finally taking deliveries of the Su-30 MKMs but my question is if they have sufficient experience is developing air-combat doctrines and tactics for these highly capable machines. Without which they may be just more numbers. RMAF does not seem to engage much in bilateral or multi-lateral exercises (except for the regular FPDA) to have have much exposure to other air-forces tactics and doctrines as well. This is quite unlike the Singapore air-force (RSAF( who base their newest aircraft in the US to benefit form joint training with the USAF who have a wealth of experience in employing similar platforms.
Also with persistent rumours that they do not have sufficient pool of experience fighter pilots this may be more acute a situation. Anyone has more insights into their cuurent situation?
 

qwerty223

New Member
Nuri reported missing

KUANTAN: A search and rescue operation has been launched around Genting Sempah to locate a RMAF Nuri helicopter after it was reported missing in the Bentong district.

The helicopter had six people on board and was on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan yesterday.

RMAF public relations officer Mejar Zulkiflee Abdul Latif said the air traffic control centre lost contact with the helicopter at 9.35am after it took off from the Kuala Lumpur airbase in Sungei Besi.

The aircraft had three crewmen and three passengers on board, he said.

He added that the families of the six people had been notified.

Pahang police chief Datuk Ayob Mohamad said that the Nuri was supposed to have landed in Kuantan at 2pm yesterday.

“We are now trying to ascertain whether the Nuri had indeed crashed. We are using all our available resources to find the aircraft and those on board,” he said.
Hope those guys are OK
 

zacklee

New Member
Any thoughts?

uly 14, 2007 15:58 PM

Govt Plans To Replace Nuri Helicopters - Najib

MUADZAM SHAH, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Government plans to replace Nuri helicopters from the fleet of aircraft of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

Najib, who is also Defence Minister, however, said the phasing out was not possible in the near future.

"Nuri helicopters are still air-worthy. Nevertheless, there are plans to replace them, but not immediately as they can still be used," he told reporters after attending a "leader-with-the-people" gathering.

Najib was responding to reports that a Nuri helicopter, with six air force crew on board, was missing while flying from the Sungai Besi base here to the Gambang base in Pahang yesterday.

The transport helicopter, carrying air force personnel to replace their colleagues at the base in Gambang, near Kuantan, lost contact with the air base control tower at 9.35am, 10 minutes after it took off from the Sungai Besi RMAF base.

The Nuri was scheduled to reach its destination at 10.25am but failed to appear.

Asked whether the services of Nuri helicopters would be suspended following the incident, Najib said it was up to the RMAF to decide.

On the search and rescue operations to locate the helicopter, he said the ground and aerial search have been intensified.

"As of noon, the search is still going on. The helicopter has not been found as the area is covered with thick forest," he added.

The search was intensified at first light this morning, with three RMAF aircraft scouring the area around Genting Sempah, near Genting Highlands, where the helicopter last appeared on the radar.

The police, Fire and Rescue Department personnel and 100 soldiers from the Bentong-based Royal Malay Regiment Camp have been deployed for the ground search.

-- BERNAMA

----

Something to keep out for:D
 
Top