SHAH ALAM: Hawk aircraft from Labuan airbase has intercepted 16 PLAAF transporters which flew over the Malaysian EEZ and entered the Kota Kinabalu flight information region and almost violated the country’s airspace on May 31. The formation of 16 PLAAF Xian Y-20 transporters were first detected flying in formation crossing the EEZ about 11.53am, the statement issued by RMAF chief Gen Ackbal Samad said.
A flight of Bae System Hawk Mk208 fighters from 6 Squadron at Labuan airbase were put on alert as the command centre monitored the flight of transporters which were flying trail in tactical formation. The Hawks were scrambled to intercept the PLAAF transporters it entered the KK FIR. The formation was intercepted by the Hawks at 1.33pm for a visual inspection. The formation turned around and returned to their original track after they passed over the airspace of Beting Patinggi Ali. The distance to Sarawak when they around was only 60nm, RMAF said.
The full statement:
KENYATAAN MEDIA PANGLIMA TENTERA UDARA BERKENAAN PENGESANAN PENERBANGAN MENCURIGAKAN 16 BUAH PESAWAT TENTERA UDARA REPUBLIK
RAKYAT CHINA/ PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY- AIR FORCE (PLAAF) MEMASUKI RUANG UDARA ZON MARITIM MALAYSIA (ZMM), KOTA KINABALU FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR) DAN MENGHAMPIRI RUANG UDARA NASIONAL PADA 31 MEI 2021
TUDM telah mengesan penerbangan mencurigakan sebanyak 16 buah pesawat Tentera Udara Republik Rakyat China/ People’s Liberation Army- Air Force (PLAAF) memasuki ruang udara ZMM, Kota Kinabalu FIR dan menghampiri ruang udara nasional pada 31 Mei 2021.
Penerbangan pesawat-pesawat PLAAF tersebut telah dikesan oleh Radar Pertahanan Udara TUDM daripada Pusat Pertahanan Udara (CRC 2) di Sarawak pada jam 1153H. Pesawatpesawat tersebut telah dikesan terbang secara formasi taktikal in-trail pada jarak 60 batu
nautika di antara satu sama lain. Formasi panjang tersebut juga telah terbang dengan paten dan haluan yang sama menggunakan satu titik laluan masuk dan keluar. Mereka kemudiannya didapati mengubah arah penerbangan di ruang udara Beting Patinggi Ali yang berkepentingan kepada negara.
Pesawat-pesawat tersebut telah dikesan terbang pada ketinggian di antara 23,000 kaki sehingga 27,000 kaki dengan kelajuan 290 knots melalui Singapore FIR sebelum memasuki ruang udara ZMM, KK FIR dan seterusnya terbang menghala menghampiri 60 batu nautika daripada pesisir pantai Wilayah Sarawak yang dikhuatiri akan mengancam KEDAULATAN NEGARA. Pihak TUDM telah meletakkan pesawat Hawk 208 daripada No. 6 Skuadron, Pangkalan Udara Labuan di dalam keadaan siap sedia melalui Operasi Curiga TUDM. Pemantauan menerusi radar pertahanan udara diteruskan ke atas pesawat-pesawat tersebut disamping beberapa percubaan untuk mengarahkan mereka menghubungi kawalan trafik udara KK FIR. Apabila arahan tidak dipatuhi dan didapati melangkaui persempadanan KK FIR menghala ke ruang udara nasional,TUDM telah melancarkan pesawat-pesawat pemintas pada jam 1333H untuk melakukan
identifikasi visual. Hasil daripada pemintasan udara yang dilaksanakan, TUDM telah mengenalpasti pesawat-pesawat tersebut adalah daripada jenis Ilyushin Il-76 dan pesawat Xian Y-20. Pesawat-pesawat jenis ini merupakan pesawat pengangkut strategik dan berupaya
melaksanakan pelbagai misi.
Insiden ini merupakan perkara yang serius terhadap ancaman KEDAULATAN NEGARA dan KESELAMATAN PENERBANGAN berdasarkan kepadatan trafik udara di dalam laluan penerbangan (Airways) di dalam KK FIR. Insiden ini telah dikendalikan oleh TUDM khasnya dan
ATM amnya berlandaskan undang-undang dan peraturan penerbangan antarabangsa International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) serta Strategi Pertahanan Udara Nasional (SPUN). Kementerian Luar Negeri telah mengambil maklum tentang perkara ini melalui
Kementerian Pertahanan. –Tamat-
It must be noted that the RMAF had intercept PLAAF and PLAN aircraft in the EEZ within the last three years but never in the numbers as reported above. It is likely the number of aircraft and the brazen nature of the intrusion was the reason for the statement by the RMAF.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (27)
If only TUDM have made decision to buy LCA 5 yrs ago by now TUDM should have sub sonic or super sonic plane in the air , and the sheer numbers will deter would be aggressor or bully...
If ATM religiously bought mid n hi level anti air missile in small batches but consistently non of this will be happening.( Not necessarily from EU or USA ).
When TLDM can afford to buy 8-10 hulls of moderate 60- 80 mtrs boats....no they go for expensive boats that is still in the shipyard.
While every asean countries are doing right now is show of numbers be it in the air land n sea... malaysia on tje other hand tries to mimick their southern neighbour go for quality buy....
Expecting FPDA, USA...to assist in any minor tensions....
All because malayland MANTRA we are not going for hi intensity war...but TO BE PREPARED does not HURT at all....
I guess they are posturing and trying to make a statement by sending such a large group of strategic airlifters into our FIRs and so close to Malaysian border. Just perhaps demonstrating to Malaysia, Vietnam & Indonesia that they have the reach to deploy airborne troops so far from their shores.. not sure though if they have have similarly sufficient resources to deploy a trail of fighter aircraft in large numbers with attendant tankers to support. That will be another thing!
Taking into consideration their induction of quite a few large naval combatants in last 2 years which are potent and capable of supporting large scale amphibious assault operations like the Renhai Class CGs and Yushen class LHD type assault ships, its sets a tough tone. In next 5 years this will only get worse as they build up more amphibious capability to deploy probably division level amphibious assault forces.
Does this really implies something that required our country to do something ? As we all know our defense has been lacking for past many years especially our planes. With LCA and MRCA nowhere to be known despite many talks.Sukhois, Hornets and Hawks seem not enough. We need the planes otherwise, we will not be taken seriously.
So I am guessing PLAAF is gearing up to 'welcome' HMS Queen Elizabeth & her escort vessels eh? Things in South China Sea are going to heat up in the coming days.
They must be testing if our country under new lockdown could still respond to their brazen goading. Nice to know our QRA are still working well and not taking things lightly. China's ambassador will have hell to pay.
CSL - “So I am guessing PLAAF is gearing up to ‘welcome’ HMS Queen Elizabeth & her escort vessels eh”
I think we can safely rule out that scenario; don’t you?
It’s not as if a large PLAAF formation came close to the RN carrier group and only charged course at the last minute and it’s not as if the RN carrier group was operating well within our territorial waters.
CSL - “are going to heat up in the coming days.”
Why? Not necessarily.
The RMAF announced that the 16 plane formation was detected by radar in Sarawak; although TNI radar on Natuna and possibly Kalimantan would also have detected the formation.
For me there are 2 interesting points; I believe this is the 1st occasion it has publicly released details on a live intercept. Secondly, the presence of 16 PLAAF planes in the formation is something I find odd.
Before someone mentions it; no it wasn’t SIGINT because 16 planes are not needed and it can be done from quite a distance away. Was it to send a political message - if so was it to us per see or to other players? Some will speculate it was to test our reaction times but again 16 planes are not needed and they already have a pretty idea on our capabilities; as well as the extent of our radar coverage over the area.
Hopefully the RMAF will milk this for all its worth by pushing the politicians for more funding. The opposition has called for dialogue on the issue as well as the need to address the MAF’s needs. Good in practice but also rich in that over the years when they were in the opposition they had a very misplaced and negative view on defence; they never came up with an alternative defence policy (promised for the 2013 GE); as they did with the economy and other areas.
I think Gov and RMAF should reconsider to activate the the MiG-29 into operational as interceptor for temporary services..to be based at at labuan or setup new based somewhere in Swak.... suggestions Bintulu as new air base...
it is time to expedite the LCA procurement and to get additional F18 to supplement the less than adequate F18 sqdn. RMAF can request for 8-10 Super Hornet for that matter besides 36 LCA. A fleet of 36 MRCA & 36 LCA at least will enhance the readiness and operational capability of the fighter sqdns to be deployed where they are needed most.
Somebody has been knocking at our door for some time now and only now are we publicly acknowledging it.
Maybe nows the time to get some (20) pre owned F-18 fast before they are snapped up or otherwise buy the FA-50.
Reply
Not much F-18s are out there, the Kuwaiti ones will only be available in 2025 and above and this if the government do fund them. And if Kuwaiti decides to sell them to us which they might not.