Malaysian MMRCA may come soon

Quickgun Murugan

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Malaysia to consider fighter options once economy recovers
http://www.flightglobal.com/article...er-fighter-options-once-economy-recovers.html

By Siva Govindasamy

Malaysia plans to consider a variety of options for its medium multi-role fighter requirement once the direction of its economic fortunes becomes clearer.

"We are assessing whether to get the new jets from the United States, France, Sweden or Britain. The purchase will also depend on the country's economic recovery," says defence minister Zahid Hamidi.

Industry sources say the Royal Malaysian Air Force could assess the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen if it decides to launch a competition. The selected type would replace some of its RSK MiG-29s and F/A-18Ds.

Kuala Lumpur wants to phase out its MiG-29s by the end of 2010, with Zahid saying the type's high maintenance costs - estimated at 17 million ringgit ($5 million) per aircraft annually - is the main reason for the decision. The air force's Sukhoi Su-30MKMs will take over the roles currently performed by the MiG-29.

"The government will save 260 million ringgit per year in maintenance costs, and these savings will be used to maintain other types of aircraft in the air force inventory," says Zahid. "Malaysia bought the MiG-29s at a relatively low price, but later on had to contend with higher expenses in spare parts replacement and maintenance work."

Separately, Malaysia's government has increased the air force's budget for the coming fiscal year, despite a 10% drop in its overall defence budget. The service will get 1.61 billion ringgit, up from 1.48 billion ringgit. Most of this sum will go towards paying for its 18 Su-30MKMs, and to finance the purchase of 12 utility helicopters.
 

Quickgun Murugan

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Trashing The MiG-29

Murphy's Law: Trashing The MiG-29

November 2, 2009: Malaysia admitted that it is getting rid of its MiG-29 fighters because the aircraft are too expensive to maintain. It costs about $5 million a year, per aircraft, to keep them in flying condition. Three years ago, Malaysia bought two more MiG-29s, in addition to the 18 it got in the 1990s. Two of those were lost due to accidents. Malaysia has since ordered 18 Su-30 fighters, and will apparently order more to replace the MiG-29s. Malaysia also bought eight F-18Ds in the 1990s, and is getting rid of those as well. Russia has offered better prices on maintenance contracts for new Su-30s, in addition to bargain (compared to U.S. planes) prices.

Most of the MiG-29s provided satisfactory service. Malaysia was long a users of U.S. aircraft, so they have been able to compare Russian and American warplanes. The Russian aircraft cost less than half as much as their American counterparts. The Malaysians find that an acceptable situation, even though they face better trained pilots flying F-16s in neighboring Singapore.

The MiG-29 entered Russian service in 1983, as the answer to the American F-16. Some 1,600 MiG-29s have been produced so far, with about 900 of them exported. The 22 ton aircraft is roughly comparable to the F-16, but it depends a lot on which version of either aircraft you are talking about. Russia is making a lot of money upgrading MiG-29s. Not just adding new electronics, but also making the airframe more robust. The MiG-29 was originally rated at 2,500 total flight hours. At that time (early 80s), Russia expected MiG-29s to fly about a hundred or so hours a year. India, for example, flew them at nearly twice that rate, as did Malaysia. So now Russia is offering to spiff up the airframe so that the aircraft can fly up to 4,000 hours, with more life extension upgrades promised. This won't be easy, as the MiG-29 has a history of unreliability and premature breakdowns (both mechanical and electronic).

Recently, Russia grounded all of its MiG-29s in order to check for structural flaws. Compared to Western aircraft, like the F-16, the MiG-29 is available for action about two thirds as much. While extending the life of the MiG-29 into the 2030s is theoretically possible, actually doing so will be real breakthrough in Russian aircraft capabilities. The Indians are going to take up the Russians on their upgrade offer. But the Malaysians are going to go with the more highly regarded Su-30. Malaysia expects to have all its MiG-29s out of service in about a year. If they can't be sold, they will simply be scrapped. Algeria, and several other nations, have turned down the MiG-29, which has acquired the reputation of being second rate and a loser.
 

sandeepdg

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I think our Mig-29s will also be replaced by the end of next decade or so.
 

sob

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The Brazilians are almost through with their decision on their Jet deal. now the Malaysians are on the road and my word before our trials are through they will have sealed the deal.

Our bureacracy sure moves very fast.
 

Quickgun Murugan

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I think our Mig-29s will also be replaced by the end of next decade or so.
We in here are not replacing our flying coffins Mig 21 and you are talking about Mig 29. Mig 21 will be replaced in a decade. It will take atleast 2 decades for Mig 29's to go.
 

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