SHAH ALAM: Dr M Visits Turkish Aerospace. As part of his four day official visit to Turkey, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited Turkish Aerospace (TAI), country’s main aerospace and defence company. During the visit to TAI’s facility in Ankara, Dr Mahathir and delegation were given a presentation of its products.
And its not just a presentation but a flyby which included the TAI Hurkus turboprop trainer and the ATAK attack helicopter.
The Hurkus trainer prototype and the ATAK helicopter performing the flypast for Dr M and delegation. TAI
It is likely also other TAI aircraft including the Anka UAV and the Gokbey utility helicopter took part in the flypast. The Anka as you are aware is one of the UAV competing for an order for a RMAF requirement, which had been approved and set for funding in next RMK.
Dr Mahathir is presented a drawing of the Anka during his visit to TAI. TAI
As the government had already announced that all future contracts will decided via open competition, the Anka will have to show its worth once the tender is open. However, as defence contracts are ultimately decided by the politicians, one must say that Anka is having its day in the sun. Whether it will survive the scrutiny in the next three or four years, is beyond me.
Gokbey helicopter prototype. TAI
It is unclear whether Dr Mahathir and his delegation is visiting the FNSS factory as part of the visit though. FNSS as you are aware is the partner of DRB Hicom’s subsidiary, Deftech, which is the main contractor for the Gempita 8X8.
On the Way. Gempita Mortar carrier firing a 120mm round. 12th RMR
As for the other products of TAI, the Army still has the requirement for attack and utility helicopers. The ATAK is already in production and in service with the Turkish military. The first Gokbey prototype only flew recently so it is unlikely to be offered for the RMN maritime helicopter programme.
TAI Future Fighter. TAI
Turkish shipyards or their local partners could also be involved in the RMN FIC tender though admittedly I have no idea who they are. As for the future, the TAI future fighter could also even be in the mix for the MRCA programme.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (26)
Plenty of things that we can get from Turkey; from small arms (mp5 and all its derivatives, anti tank missiles and mortars), tanks, armored vehicles, even fighter jets.
I think we should do joint development on our own version of 5th gen fighter jets. If indonesia can do it, so can we. Malaysia is one of top players in aeronautic industry after all
We bought quite a number of MP5s from Pakistan. We just don’t have a requirement for any more.
It’s not a question of whether we “can” but whether we “should”....
A lot of cash will have to be pumped in and the question is whether the whole exercise will reap any tangible benefits? We don’t have the industrial base or the economics of scale and almost everything that goes on the jet; from the engine to the radar to the cockpit instrumentation’s; will still have to sourced from foreign suppliers.
I like Turkish defence hardware as mostly are geared toward Nato standards (Turkey being a Nato country), but sometimes on a whim they go off tangent and get themselves some S-400. Understandably, since their F-35 was sanctioned meant they aren't soon to get the hardware they paid for.
@Alex
As much as I love to have Malaysia name in a 5th gen aircraft project, let's not go straight away there.
Shit
Here we go again
Another Pakistan story
@Joe
Other way around. They wanted S-400 first, and yet retain their F-35 order. US told them to choose one or the other. They chose S-400, so that's it - no 35s.
Off topic
"The Marine Corps is no longer accessing WSOs. However, all WSOs currently in service and training will be utilized in F/A-18Ds until the platform is deactivated or there are no more WSOs in the fleet, whichever comes first. Further, we do not expect the Marine Corps to man F/A-18Ds with two pilots (i.e. a pilot replacing the WSOs spot) once we reach a point where there are no longer WSOs in the Fleet. A pilot can fly and execute all missions in an F/A-18D without a WSO in the backseat (i.e. keeping the seat empty). Having a WSO simply adds increase proficiency in certain mission skills, such as FAC(A) [Foward Air Control-Airborne]."
This follows the USMC integrating ex-USN single seaters into its previously exclusively two seater squadrons.
"We bought quite a number of MP5s from Pakistan."
Would you know examples of anything else we've bought from Pakistan, aside from Baktar Shikan?
106mm RCL ammunition perhaps? Though I would think the guns themselves came from Korea, like the jeeps they came with. I was also hoping someone has a picture of those jeeps in our service, have not succeeded in finding any yet.
The SAF bought the guns with M151 jeeps from the US to provide support for their infantry battalions. They later sourced rounds from Pakistan.
"Shit - Here we go again - Another Pakistan story"
Correction. It ought to be "Shit - Here we go again - Another one who's so cleverly found a source that is cheaper, better and free of the political conditions that can render our Hornets inoperable by withholding the source codes on a whim."
We bought Anza mk 2 Manpads, RPG-7V (curiously, the GOF sourced theirs from Bulgaria), laser designator and even sent our exocets for life extension to Pakistan.
Also, Pakistan-made mp5 are exported to the US and american really like their quality and affordability. They're also used by some local PD/sheriff departments iirc. With HK being on their high moral pedestal and refusing to sell their guns to third world countries with questionable human rights problems, it's sellers market for countries like Pakistan with access to HK toolings and jig
Funny enough, Vietnam bought these mp5 clone from Pakistan as well and it riled the indian so much that it became a national issue and they tried to counter-offer with indian-made Sterling.
AM,
The laser designators used by PASKAU.
The MM-38s were also relifed in Pakistan.