SHAH ALAM: Future Plan, RMAF Cap 55. RMAF has published a graphic of its Capability 55 program detailing its plans up to 2055. The existence of the plan was first made public during the media interview ahead of this year’s anniversary celebration.
Based on the graphics, RMAF future fast jet fleet will be two types, a multi role combat aircraft (MRCA) and the light combat aircraft (LCA) divided into five squadrons. Based on past and current squadron strength I am assuming that the MRCA will have 36 aircraft while the LCA 54.
From the 54 LCA, it is likely that around 12 will be used as the lead-fighter-trainer (LIFT). You can choose your own preferred aircraft in the comments section.
The transport squadron will be reduced to three squadrons from the current four while the type will be reduced from four to two. The first transport squadron will be for the strategic/MRTT roles while the two others will be tactical airlifters.
Under the plan, there will be only two helicopter squadrons with the type reduce to one. There will also be one squadron of MPA, long endurance UAS and AEW. The RMAF of the future will operate nine ground based air defence radars as well as one regiment of ground based air defence (GBAD) system. As the air force did not identify the types of the aircraft and ground based systems, you can choose you preferred equipment also in the comments section.
RMAF says the plan’s main impact will be the optimisation of the budget for most maximum impact. This is the first long term plan from the service which had been made public in recent memory. It goes to show that the RMAF and its sister services always had their plans despite claims otherwise.
The biggest question, will the plan survives the first contact with the politicians, remained unanswered. Hopefully by October, we will have some hints, at least.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (75)
"The biggest question, will the plan survives the first contact with the politicians, remained unanswered. "
i put all my bets on our menhan.if he does not u turn on statement, this will be a good thing.
other politician, their reaction to this who know...
still its depends on budget and how the govt support. we just dont hope much.
*Mr Marhalim, i tried to comment since Saturday and still not show. does that mean my comment failed as spam or dont approve?
The question is, what will be the MRCA?
I really hope that they will keep SU-30MKM (just because I like that plane, and if there are aircraft beauty pageant, it surely be at top 3).
So much potential with that plane, but then, the remaining questions are we able to maintain the fleet in long term.
In case we keep SU-30MKM, I feel we need another type of plane, to form HI-MID-LO, that is cheaper to procure and operate, like Gripen.
With F/A-18 ex-Kuwaitis rumors, not sure whether it will be best value for the money, if we need to spend some extras to do upgrades and life extension. Depends on remaining air-frame and engines life then.
Are our pilot comfortable with C version?
If they prefer D version, are we able to get airworthy planes?
I heard even US Marines are struggling to keep their fleet because lack of parts etc.
For LCA, Hawk LIFT (T2 in RAF) will be good and ensure smooth transition for the crews.
For transport, keep A400M and Herk. And we might adopt RO-RO with mission pallets to suite mission requirement. In other words, we can have pool of planes that can be use for multi-mission (ISR etc.)
For rotary, EC725, no questions.
For MPA and AEW, perhaps, if we choose Gripen for MRCA, maybe we can have a package that included these 3 type of planes? Get some discount, maybe.
For ground air defense, what roll will RMAF take, point (short range) or aerial (medium/long range).
All three services need to align/standardized their equipment. Like, if Navy frigate using Mica for anti-air, better for RMAF and Army to adopt to similar system.
What about turbo-prop trainer?
Maybe we should adopt RAF system which privatizing Elementary Flight school before pilot goes to military conversion (turbo-prop trainer like Pilatus, also privatized in-case of RAF).
But from this level, RMAF can take over, because I see Pilatus also can be second line light combat aircraft, similar to several other countries which adopting Super Tacano, and USAF also showing deep interest with.
My dua kupang lima duit.
I appreciate about this plan. But, I have things I want to say about RMAF cap 55 and/or RMN 15 to 5..
1. What the army plan?
2..Should be there an integrated plan about the 3 service release by DoD?
3. What the main goal of this plan? 4. Will the army/navy/AF are armed adequately if the whole plan is done?
4.RMAF cap 55 and/or RMN 15 to 5 plans will take a long periode of time. It's better if all these plan are broke down to 3 phases plans with each plan has 10 years duration. Each 10 years plan consist of weapon systems or equipments that will be bought. So, everybody can follow the progress.
Dont let the plan only become a "sembang kencang" plan.
How many air defence radars do we have currently?
Reply
No official numbers, my own count four
Doesn't mention how many of what and when by of course.
Hardly anything worth commenting frankly.
The rojak BM here tho...
@ marhalim
Saying the graphics as "detailing" its plans up till 2055 is stretching the fact too far. At best it is just a rough statement of what it wants in the future.
now to the comments
This single graphic is the plan up till 2055. That is like 37 years into the future. Even my previous post https://www.malaysiandefence.com/rmaf-2020-part-2/ is only a plan up till 2035.
So lets see the phaseout timeline up till 2055
Phaseout timeline
– MiG-29 retired
– Hawk 108/208 2023-2025 (30 years old)
– Aermacchi MB339CM 2023-2025 (20 years old)
– F/A-18 2031-2033 (35 years old)
– C-130H 2038-2040 (60years /50years old)
– CN-235-220 2038-2040 (40 years old)
– PC-7 MkII 2038-2040 (40 years old)
– SU-30MKM 2045-2047 (40 years old)
Now to the graphics
Pesawat tempur. 2 types, MRCA and LCA. 2 squadrons of MRCA and 3 squadrons of LCA. IMO, this can be done, although quite surprised as the previous requirement is for 6 fighter squadrons. So 3 squadrons of LCA, with 2 fighter sqn and 1 LIFT sqn. As for me, I prefer FA/TA-50 for the LCA/LIFT requirement. For MRCA, in the near term is best to increase our Hornets to 2 squadrons, and later replace them with 5th gen fighters post 2030. MKM to use as is up to 2047 and retire without replacement if really want to keep just 2 MRCA squadrons.
Pesawat angkut. 1 strategic airlift, 2 tactical airlift. Strategic airlift is by default the A400M. We need at least 2 more example (for a total of 6) to have the ideal operational numbers. Both C-130H and CN235 should be replaced around 2040, that would be by newer C-130J, KC-390 or An-178. Can we get about without the CN-235 type of airlift? If TUDM says so then I suppose it would be ok. But I would prefer to resume the capability lost by retiring the Cessna 402B, with the Pilatus PC-24. It can do MEDEVAC, twin engine training, liaison and has a rough field capability, so basically where the C-130 can go, it can go too.
Helicopter. Surprised me with the 2 squadron number. So the army needs to have like 4 transport helicopter squadrons to cover the former TUDM service. The default helicopter would be just 12 more EC225LP from civilian used stocks. For the army? cheapest is to source 2ndhand UH-60 blackhawks from australia and usa to fill up the 4 squadrons.
C4 Aset darat. More radars. Preferably the same Groundmaster GM400 we got for sawarak. I would prefer the Vera-E system to be under TUDM, replaced with a few more newer vera-NG system, probably 2 in semenanjung, 1 in sabah, and 1 in GSP. As for GBAD, just basic SHORADS like the starstreak. Leave more potent systems to GAPU.
C4 aset udara.
my preferred MPA is the Saab Swordfish. UAV would be used MQ-1 Predator or Safran Patroller. AEW&C would be the ERIEYE ER radar on the Global Express platform.
I hate to sound sarcastic but honestly it's just another one of those generals' pipe dream.The damage has been done,i predict the airforce will be a toothless one before my last breath.If these are same generals/civvies that caused the mess,then just forget about CAP55 whatever!All talk but no show!
IMHO CAP 55 will turn TUDM to a "leaner" equipment operator compared to its current form. On the rotary wing component, the obvious heli is known. Will govt invest in Army Aviation while allowing TUDM to get out of heli transport business?
" It goes to show that the RMAF and its sister services always had their plans despite claims otherwise "
Of course, for the last 10 years RMAF has a very solid plan, its the MRCA or nothing at all. It is the most consistent plan of all services, only changing in 2018 into the CAP55.
@ Romeo
The army plan is the " Army For Next Generation aka ARMY 4NextG "
What it is all about?
PELAN PEMBANGUNAN STRATEGIK ARMY 4NEXTG INI DIBANGUNKAN SECARA HOLISTIK UNTUK MEMBOLEHKAN TENTERA DARAT BERUPAYA BEROPERASI DI DUA (2) WILAYAH SECARA SERENTAK. BAGI MENCAPAI MATLAMAT STRATEGIK INI, ARMY 4NEXTG DIRANGKA DAN DIBANGUNKAN BERDASARKAN KEPADA LIMA (5) MATLAMAT KEUPAYAAN BERIKUT:
1. KEUPAYAAN DETECTION.
2. KEUPAYAAN SURVIVE AND STRIKE.
3. KEUPAYAAN SUSTAINMENT.
4. KEUPAYAAN PROTRACTION.
5. KEUPAYAAN NATION BUILDING.