RMAF Future; need opinions

[wzhtg]

DRS Technologies Receives Signed Letter of Intent from Royal Malaysian Air Force for

FARNBOROUGH, U.K. --- DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn. Bhd. Executive Director Dato’ Norida Hamzah signed a letter of intent for DRS to furnish a complete Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) system to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in a meeting at the Farnborough Air Show, attended by the Malaysian Ministry of Defense Secretary General and the Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief of the Air Force.

Aerotree is the prime contractor to the RMAF. The letter of intent reflects the parties’ mutual desire to enter into a definitive contract under which Aerotree would purchase the ACMI system for lease to the government of Malaysia. The contract would be managed by DRS Command, Control and Communication (C3) Systems in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Twenty two ACMI pods with associated spares, ground equipment, Air Combat Training Integrated Visualization Environment (ACTiVE) debriefing systems, training, maintenance and logistics support will be delivered within 18 to 24 moths after contract award. Options are expected to provide for six internal ACMI systems and follow-on logistics support.

The system will be used on various aircraft including the SU-30MKM, F-18D, MiG-29N, F-5E, Hawk, and MB-339CM.

“This letter of intent signals a new solution that will deliver a true state-of-the-art training system using the latest in computer processing technology,” said Richard S. Danforth, president of DRS’ C3 business segment, said “DRS has delivered more pods to customers around the globe than all other competitors combined and this award further solidifies our position as the recognized leader in ACMI pod technology.”


Aerotree is a Malaysian incorporated company principally engaged in providing defense and aerospace related services to the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Army, and Royal Malaysian Navy.

DRS Technologies, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. The company employs approximately 10,000 people.

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[weasel1962]

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[weasel1962]

Article: Plan For Longer Airstrip On Layang-layang

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[nevidimka]

Russia Keen To Sell Latest Su-35 Fighter Jets To Malaysia - Report
July 19, 2008
Bernama News Agency
By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI - Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport said it was keen to sell the fifth generation state-of-the-art Sukhoi fighter aircraft, the multi-role Su-35 Flanker, to Malaysia.

Russian News Information Agency, RIA Novosti reported that two potential Asian countries -- India and Malaysia -- were on Rosoboronexport's list.

"Algeria, Malaysia and India are our partners and if they express an interest, we will offer them the Su-35 fighter while fulfilling our current obligations," Alexander Mikheyev, head of the air force department at Rosoboronexport, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The Su-35 fighter jet, powered by two 117S engines, is capable of engaging several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.

The aircraft features the latest Irbis-E radar that allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets, said RIA Novosti.

Malaysia had procured 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM from Russian manufacturers, of which six aircraft were delivered last year and the balance 12 to be supplied in two shipments by end of this year.

The Su-30MKM (multirole, commercial, Malaysian) is a variant of the Su-30MKI(multirole, commercial, Indian), developed for the Indian Air Force, said the agency.

The manufacturer plans to export at least 160 of these new aircraft, billed as 4++ generation using fifth-generation technology to foreign clients by 2011.

Thats only normal as Malaysia has the Su30 MKM the most advanced flanker after the SU 35BM.

I think Malaysia should go for the SU 35 only if it retires the MiG's or Hornet fleet. The SU30 MKM and Su30 BM should have many similarities in terms of maintenance, and they both carry the same ordinance. However, it would be better if along the line they upgrade the SU 30 MKM to have most of the SU35BM elements, like the Radar,Engines n probablly avionics, to make it even more easier in terms of maintenance.

The SU35BM would complement the SU30 MKM very well indeed this way.

 

[johngage]

Thats only normal as Malaysia has the Su30 MKM the most advanced flanker after the SU 35BM.

I think Malaysia should go for the SU 35 only if it retires the MiG's or Hornet fleet. The SU30 MKM and Su30 BM should have many similarities in terms of maintenance, and they both carry the same ordinance. However, it would be better if along the line they upgrade the SU 30 MKM to have most of the SU35BM elements, like the Radar,Engines n probablly avionics, to make it even more easier in terms of maintenance.

The SU35BM would complement the SU30 MKM very well indeed this way.

Why not just purchase additional SU-30MKM's and wait for the PAK-FA? I would imagined a combination of SU-30MKM's and PAK-FA's could work in a similar fashion to F-15's and F-35's, each aircraft complementing the strengths and weaknesses of the other.

 

[ampraxius]

Mixed apples

Hello all,

By now you all are probably aware of the unique mixture of the RMAF's assets. To be honest, Malaysian government has a slight preference to western technologies and aircraft (with the purchase of the F-5, Hawk etc).

However, the current defense minister actually pushed for the purchase of Russian made aircrafts and technologies (which i do not oppose) and as usual pocketed lots of money to his own cronies. Hence all the logistics issues and of course less aircrafts since apparently 100 million USD was paid to the cronies.

So that is one side of the story of why RMAF operates so many types of air crafts. but i do believe that if done correctly and no under the table shady deals, RMAF policy of operating different types of aircrafts could be very beneficial for us.

I personally prefer the RMAF to buy or invest in the Sukhoi PAK-FA. Since it is much cheaper than the JSF and we're not exactly swimming with money to waste it on this sort of things yet.

 

[ampraxius]

in my opinion RMAF needs to really identify the real threats and issues that could play out in the next few decades. I personally don't think any countries will be engaging in wars or conflicts, but i do believe ASEAN countries will have to deal with pirates, traffickers and kidnappings.

That is why i think the RMAF will need to procure aircrafts that could patrol and effectively monitor the strait of malacca and the seas seperating the peninsular and Borneo. I would think AWACS and attack aircrafts would be needed as to the fifth generation fighters. But if i am not mistaken fifth generation jets are capable of both dealing with land and air targets.

However as part of its modernisation, i do hope that the RMAF hope to relocate their bases to more strategic locations. In Borneo especially it would be very good in my opinion if Malaysia could procure Harriers that could operate on small islands or air strips to patrol the waters. Even though current naval operations did prevent any kidnappings in Borneo, having harriers will further make it safer.

I watched a documentary about the JSF, and if they have the vertical take off capabilities i think it would definitely be something to look at. Given of course the US congress permission and giving us options to buy the extra bells and whistles.

 

[weasel1962]

Re:

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[2S1]

In my honest opinion, I think Malaysia's defence/ is a joke, to an outsider it's obvious their defence policy is based based upon bribary and corroption

- who else buys Polish T-72 tanks out of choice

And how many types of Fighter aircraft again do you have again??


It stinks of corruption.

 

[ampraxius]

In my honest opinion, I think Malaysia's defence/ is a joke, to an outsider it's obvious their defence policy is based based upon bribary and corroption

- who else buys Polish T-72 tanks out of choice

And how many types of Fighter aircraft again do you have again??


It stinks of corruption.

exactly, it's been reported that from the sukhoi purchase alone 100 million usd was given as bribed to the defense minister cronies. in my opinion that money could have been used to buy more or better air crafts.

 

[ampraxius]

There is no reason why the US will not sell the F-35 to the RMAF. The US has already made available the F18E/F with the AESA radar.

It is now a question of whether the RMAF wants it. Based on current policy, it is unlikely. If there is a change of govt, that is a possibility.

Yes it is true, but corruption aside unless our economy improves significantly we can't really afford the asking price. Apparently we also have to pay to the cronies as well as the manufacturers. This corruption is no longer secret, it is very obvious indeed.

i'm not naive to believe that Malaysia is th only country being victim to bribery here (the UK gov. bribing the Saudis) but as a developing country we just can't afford it.

 

[2S1]

exactly, it's been reported that from the sukhoi purchase alone 100 million usd was given as bribed to the defense minister cronies. in my opinion that money could have been used to buy more or better air crafts.

To be fair, 100 million wouldn't buy much in regards today's airframes.

One fundamental point is this though - has Malaysia received any meaningful industrial-offsets from its purchase of Hornet, Fulcrum and Flanker?

 

[2S1]

(the UK gov. bribing the Saudis)

Erm. Hold on.

Do you have any factual evidence of this aspertion you have just cast?

 

[ampraxius]

Erm. Hold on.

Do you have any factual evidence of this aspertion you have just cast?

I may be mistaken, but didn't the UK government prevented the inquiry into the bribes given to the saudis during the typhoon purchase? If i'm wrong sorry.

 

[ampraxius]

To be fair, 100 million wouldn't buy much in regards today's airframes.

One fundamental point is this though - has Malaysia received any meaningful industrial-offsets from its purchase of Hornet, Fulcrum and Flanker?

To us, it is still a huge sum. But i do understand your point.

Industry wise, Malaysia is benefiting more from its Flanker purchase. The government recently is setting up a plant for them to be maintain locally as well as having Indian Air Force training us on how to service the aircrafts.

 

[ampraxius]

Erm. Hold on.

Do you have any factual evidence of this aspertion you have just cast?

actually sorry it wasn't the UK gov. it was the BAE. But the UK gov did actually prevent the inquiry in to the purchase from being done according to The Times. So even though the UK gov did not bribe the Saudi, they did in my opinion facilitate them.

 

[2S1]

actually sorry it wasn't the UK gov. it was the BAE. But the UK gov did actually prevent the inquiry in to the purchase from being done according to The Times. So even though the UK gov did not bribe the Saudi, they did in my opinion facilitate them.

Then that is probably where we both agree. But then again, who can blaim a Government that sticks up for one of its businesses?

 

[renjer]

Why not just purchase additional SU-30MKM's and wait for the PAK-FA? I would imagined a combination of SU-30MKM's and PAK-FA's could work in a similar fashion to F-15's and F-35's, each aircraft complementing the strengths and weaknesses of the other.

This is a good idea.

 

[ampraxius]

Does anyone know whether there will be any more delays in the FAK PA prototype? Last i heard the Russian government is synergising all of its aviation companies into one giant entity.

 

[ampraxius]

Then that is probably where we both agree. But then again, who can blaim a Government that sticks up for one of its businesses?

Even though i am for governments supporting its local businesses, i don't see the benefits of accommodating bribery. But that's a whole political discussion which will bore all of us . But in our case (Malaysia), we need to ensure that every penny spend on our defense are not in the hands of the corrupt since we are of course talking about national security.

I just hope the new government in Malaysia can handle and address all this cronies non-sense and really go ahead with the RMAF modernisation plan.