SHAH ALAM: DESPITE the hype about Rafales and the Russian’s Mistral, as expected no contracts were agreed upon during the high profile visit of the French Defence Minister today.
Infact, only the Rafale was discussed during the Joint Higher Defence Strategic Meeting (it has been on offer for the last five years, of course it would!) while the Russian’s Mistral was not even included in the agenda!
The Reuters story on the Star.
“Hisham: Malaysia reviewing French proposal for Rafale fighter jets
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is reviewing a proposal from France to buy Rafale fighter jets but any decision would depend on how affordable the aircraft are, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (pic) said on Tuesday.”
Of course Reuters spiced up the story by saying Malaysia is reviewing the Rafale proposal while actually they are looking at all of the proposals! However, at least Reuters stated that there was no discussions about the Russian Mistrals.
In the meantime, the New Straits Times reported Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as saying that Malaysia, France is to enhance intelligence sharing to combat IS.
“KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will enhance intelligence sharing with France in efforts to counter the growing threat of the Islamic State (IS). Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it would be impossible for Malaysia deal with such threats alone and with France’s involvement, to combat threats together was timely. “Abu Sayyaf, MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter) have declared allegiance to IS.
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/node/98890.
Apart from Hishammuddin, the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The Bernama report is here.
Before meeting Najib, Le Drian also made a stop-over at the Subang airbase, to inspect RMAF sole A400M airlifter M54-01.
I had reported earlier that no significant deal will be signed during the French Minister visit despite the hype about a deal either for the Rafale or the Russian Mistral. And as for totally getting it wrong, the biggest winner should be the Sun Daily.
I guess if you were thinking the contrary I guess you have not been reading the news either the mainstream or alternative media for the last three months! See my report on RMK11 for perspective on the MRCA programme.
Anyhow, Destini Bhd, the new builder of MMEA’s NGPC continue to hog the lime light.
The Star reported Today that:
“Government said to be buying shares in defence contractor
PETALING JAYA: The Government, through the Minister of Finance Inc (MoF Inc), is believed to have acquired a substantial stake in defence services provider and contractor Destini Bhd, a move that would raise the profile of the company.”
So will Destini become like other defence companies in which the Government has a golden share in it, like Boustead Holdings, SMEO and Airod? Only time will tell.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (36)
Malaysia has no political will to fund all kinds related defense in big skill with TOT.The are scaring to answers opposition party in Parliament.With many issues in country and attacking very systematic by opposition leader our country is going to be damned shit for defense expenditure.As expected..ha ha
Personally I feel the Superhornet is the better choice. Reasons:
1) Already in our inventory.
2) Good safety and serviceability record (you're more likely to see a flying F-18 than even the brand new SU-30).
3) Reliable service and spare parts partner (the US).
4) Pilots and ground crew familiar with the plane (reduce training and conversion costs including flight simulators and overseas training).
5) Combat proven ground attack, naval strike and air superiority fighter (we even use it in Lahad Datu).
6) Lots of surplus airframes at cut price once the F-35 enters service (easy to build up 2 to 3 full squadrons down the road).
7) Maybe we have the option of getting the Growler (unlikely but fingers crossed)?
8) Possibility of doing a bundle with a couple of scout and heavy lift choppers as well as AH-1Z attack helis (especially if the choppers are surplus frames).
Well this was expected early on. The mistral is too large and too expensive to operate. I think the RMN is looking at its smaller variant like the Mistral BPC 140. It will be more practical and efficient as we will utilize its smaller but enough capabilities to the fullest.
As for the rafale, yeah its high operating cost is not something that we cannot just passed on without any consideration. Even if the US said that any friendly countries that didnt buy F-35 will buy Rafale, without political will we wont get any of these planes. Not mentioning that the RMAF wants to have 6 MRCA squadrons. With 18 mkm, 8 legacy hornet and 10 migs, we need another 3 squadrons if we upgrade our migs. The hawks is more like a COIN planes rather than mrca in my eyes.
As an alternative measure, wont it be a waste not to buy more mkm. I mean the boys had learn from zero on how to maintain these planes and shouldn't we use the experience to use the guidelines that our boys has produced. Rather than buying another mix of planes. Wanna pls the french, use their avionics or even ordnance. Whar r u guys opinion bout this idea? Though i also read that the rmaf doesnt want more mkm and they must hav a very good reason.
The French are under no illusions that we are financially and politically able to sign a major contract at this juncture. They're merely strengthening their position and trying to stay a step ahead of their competitors.
Like some other Malaysians, Dr. Kua (the same one who questioned why we were still spending on defence given that the Confrontation ended decades ago) was convinced we were buying Mistral. He questioned why we had need for an "aircraft carrier".....
Good to know Malaysia financial reality is asserting itself and there would be no rush into any signing/agreement. Hope any major decision would be postponed until after the next election and would be handled by hopefully, a new and more BERSIH/competent government/leadership....
Fr ankly Dr Kua is an embarrassment to the Opposition stance.
Okay so no LHD, which is fine by me as I don't think we have enough H for the D. Is an LST anywhere on the cards? How do we transport armour to Esscom?
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ro ro ships from the private sector. The biggest embarrassment for the Opposition is Rafizi Ramli. Dr Kua is on the fringe after he was dropped from the DAP parliamentary line up a while back.
It's a good thing,right? Getting something which is not of RMN needs simply will eat into their operation cost. More drastic for RMN have always been more number of PV to safe guard our vast sea front but this is not in the RMK11. On the other hand, we are getting MPA to do the job, which is good.
Which ever way we look at the MRCA program, it'll be a bigger "rojak" phase that RMAF have to go through if the government decide to go for the Rafale or Typhoon. Unless of course if we decide to get more Hornet, then again, there isn't any good one out there to choose from at the moment.
And since the MRCA is not listed in the RMK11 as well, we can always depend on our PM Najib to get his Arab donor to assist us on this ;)
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So if the Kuwaitis were to give up their Hornets to us for free its a bad thing?
I wouldn't expect anything more on the next defense budget. Things are just getting dull in every way...
Chua,
If there's a need we can charter civilian lift assets to transfer heavy gear to East Malaysia - like how we did with the AV-8s. We don't need a military spec ship to transfer stuff from Port Klang to Sepanggar.
Definitely not LST, what we need is a proper ASS, but smaller than the Mistral. Dokdo might fit our pocket. If there is still no political will than we will need to find business will, probably through PFI. Its just that seemingly finding the right partner is just as hard. With nothing on the replacement of Inderapura, and instead of hyping on MRCA insist on LHD aka command ship.