SHAH ALAM: Funny Feeling. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has confirmed it participation in the RMAF FLIT/LCA tender which closed last month. The confirmation of the participation of the TAI Hurjet was made by its president Prof Temel Kotil on Nov. 24 to Malaysian media at the opening ceremony of TAI’s office in Cyber Jaya.
Kotil was quoted as saying that the company will jointly built the Hurjet locally if it won the tender. From Bernama
CYBERJAYA – Turkey plans to jointly manufacture the country’s home-made Light combat-trainer jet, “Hurjet”, with Malaysia should the tender process be successful, said the President and Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Prof Temel Kotil.
He said this is an effort to strengthen the global aviation industry in their respective regions, and that 15 jets will be built in Malaysia and another three will be built in Turkey should the tender process be successful.
“We want to contribute to the capacity building of Malaysia to produce such aircraft as we see Malaysia as one of the best countries to collaborate with strategically in Asia-Pacific.” he told a press conference after attending the new Turkish Aerospace’s office opening ceremony officiated by Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, at Cyberview Futurise campus, here, Nov 24.
Hürjet is an Advanced Jet Trainer and Light Attack Aircraft. According to the company, it is a single engine, tandem-seat with modern avionics and high-performance features. The aircraft’s first flight is forecast for the last quarter of 2022.
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It is clear that TAI is hoping for a repeat of the Gempita which was still a prototype when the deal was signed back in 2012. That said unlike the Army, RMAF has its back on the wall with its training fleet, with only four Hawk Mk108s still surviving while the MB-339CMs have been stored since 2018.
RMAF BAE Systems Hawk Mk 208 M40-08 skimming the tree tops for the exercise finale in 2017. The aircraft is likely written off following a fatal crash on Nov. 16. 2021.
Stranger things has happened before of course, so no one should say it will not happened. Though it is likely the TAI gambit has made one of the other competitors stir crazy with a number of experts coming out of nowhere to say a lot hot air to support their plane.
A photo on RTAF FB page celebrating the delivery of the two T-50THs on Jan. 25, 2018.
These experts are claiming that the 30 per cent local content stipulated in the tender documents meant that local assembly of the FLIT/LCA is mandatory. It is not, the local content requirement has been in such tenders since ages ago but their implementation have been spotty to say the least. They also claimed it (local built/MRO) will be a boon to the local defense/aerospace industry but from what we have seen from the last 30 years or so, it never did. Again I am not being pessimistic but more like a realist, really.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (45)
Heard from his close aide that H20 is extremely keen for Turkish jets now. Most likely contender now is Turkish and Korean jets only.
Not even reach prototype. It just paper and mockup. Now only Korean and Italian as the TUDM choice. If Indian and Russian get it, this will be politician decision.
The Hurjet is good on paper, but it cannot be had on RMAF timeline as planned. Right now only the trainer variant is in development, and there is no news of the progress of the prototype build for sometime. The fighter version to be completed probably 2027 at best. We need the LCA/LIFT as soon as possible!
I am against any local assembly of any of the LCA/LIFT contenders. It offers no value added things to our aerospace or defence sector.
I would prefer the contenders giving aerospace manufacturing contracts to local companies to the 30% value within the LCA/LIFT contract timeline. So it can be manufacturing components for the LCA itself or for other aircraft in the winning contender current or future production.
As for MRO, I would prefer the MRO facilities of the LCA/LIFT to be operated by RMAF themselves. But that would be to high of an ask, as it does not offer any incentives to politicians, their aides, contractors or retiring senior RMAF officers.
Be real. First flight of prototype in last quaryer of 2022. Its unlike a Geely Proton. Its a plane thats complex. There will be delays n bugs. Always has been. Even America experiences problems with the computer designs. Even copy cat Chinas F20 experience 10 years of development. The M 346 also took several years of development to smooth the kinks. So what made the Turkish so sure first flight in 2022 third quarter can happen?. Also even after first flight problems can happen n need several years more to resolve all the kinks.
Bad idea to buy a paper design.
"I am against any local assembly of any of the LCA/LIFT contenders"
For one it does not lead to any tangible long term benrfits. It requires the taxpayer to pay for the set up and we don't have the economics of scale to recoup the outlay.
" I would prefer the MRO facilities of the LCA/LIFT to be operated by RMAF"
That is the last thing the RMAF wants, a diversion. As long as funds are provided in time and as long as there is proper oversight, no reason why MRO can't be continued to be performed by private entities.
"It offers no value"
Like a host of other things we've done. All thanks to our highly flawed poltically driven highly self defeating defence policy which has led us to where we are now.
just take the deal, if it took so long to build lease some jets for interim measure
lee - ''Bad idea to buy a paper design.''
By and large yes. There are exceptions however; the RAAF ordered the F-111 when it was still on the drawing board and the exercise was a successful one. We ordered the
A-400M before it had even entered service anywhere and so far we're happy with it.
We should stick to the plan and not get distracted with this Turkish offer. Logic and prudence dictates we buy a platform already widely operated, mature and available.
Should go for the Italian and package it with MPAs and few more Helis..
I am all out for the Korean plane. Get 36 of them direct from the manufacturer. This plane will serve our needs well enough.
The LCA won’t happen, Turkish, Korean, Chinese, Pakistani or Indian. It’s a moot point. No money.