SHAH ALAM: Hogging the headlines. A few years back we were informed that the RMAF was looking to purchase Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) as part of its recapitalization programme at a conference overseas. Earlier this year we were informed that the LCA programme has been approved by the government though funding was expected only in RMK12 starting in 2021.
At the Berlin International Fighter Conference 2019 on Thursday, the RMAF representative – as a rule the speakers are not identified – gave a speech on the LCA programme. Jane’s journalist Gareth Jennings posted this on his Twitter account.
His post stated that RMAF wanted 36 LCA plus 26 options. Apart from the numbers, what is interesting is that the presentation revealed that the Saab Gripen is being considered for the LCA programme. It replaced the Boeing T-X which was listed among the eight LCAs in the parliamentary reply which I reported here. Saab had said LIMA 19 that it had responded to the RFI for the LCA. Personally, I would just buy 62 Gripens – the 54 Es and 8 Fs for LIFT or FLIT – and be done with it.
Anyhow, I am told that the numbers of LCA to be funded by the government is indeed 36 – to be bought under three batches, 12 likely the LCA and six FLIT or LIFT in RMK12 with another 18 in RMK13. I believed the RMAF would prefer the same aircraft to be bought for the LCA and FLIT but with the decision to buy them in batches, things might change, of course.
As whether or not we are going to exercise the option to buy another 26 LCA, please check back in 2030, as I am told that is the current plan, buying 36 LCA in the next decade. And for those worried that we might end up buying a 4th generation MRCA, rest assured that I was told that the next multi-role fighter for RMAF will indeed be a fifth or sixth generation fighter. It is likely I will be retired or had passed on, by then, however.
The recapitalisation plan is of course guided by RMAF’s very own CAP 55.
-Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (72)
36 is a good number but i'm worried about budget. can the govt give the good amount of money even in 2 batch of procurement??our govt track record of followed procurement was bad...
imo the best among those is gripen even if we get C/D ver...and better if its an E/F. plus maybe can get couple with MPA program. but again,do govt willing to pay that much money??
I believed rmaf already selected the lca/lift that they indeed want..my guess between yak130, kai fa50 and leornardo m346
"Hogging The Headlines Again" is indeed an apt headline. The subject of fighter aircraft never fails to generate a lot of buzz over the smallest or most tentative of steps being taken.
Firdaus,
Maybe but what the RMAF wants and what the government approves of can differ. As always political considerations will play a determining factor.. We may end up with something not really ideal simply because the company is willing to accept a certain amount of palm oil or because of an offset package.
On the Yak-130 unless things have changed; the RMAF - if given a choice - will for a variety of reasons not want anything Russian.
Well this is quite a good news, as more details of the LCA/LIFT programme is being released.
IMO 36 + 26 options is more than what I expected. That numbers could really equip 3 fighter squadrons plus 1 LIFT squadron.
As for how to buy them, I would prefer the 36 to be bought in 1 batch, the options (if we have the extra money) to be bought in the 2nd batch. A batch of 36 LCA/LIFT like the FA/TA-50 Golden Eagle can be had for around USD1.2 billion, that amount is not something we cannot afford to fund in just 1 rancangan malaysia.
Something we need to take into account for the LCA/LIFT is the requirement to shoulder some of the capability of the MiG-29N. The LCA/LIFT should be capable to undertake peacetime QRA missions.
Another thing that we need to take into account is how our neighborhood would look like in 2030. Indonesia to replace their hawks with F-16V by 2025. Philippines would have their own Multi-Role Fighter by then too. More AWACs, MPAs, EW, ISR aircraft will be bought by our neighbours too. Our airforce could be the least capable among the asean countries by 2030 if we indeed need the whole decade just to buy 36 LCA/LIFT.
I believe what i wrote here before can still be implemented, and will create an airforce with a more wholesome capabilities, with fighters, AEW, MPA, electronic warfare aircrafts.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/another-view-on-tudm-cap-55/
Off topic
Just a nice picture of a brand new Su-30SM, this time for Belarus.
http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/bmpd/38024980/7511153/7511153_original.jpg
Please be it Gripen E/F RMAF!
If the lca is not gripen n only 18 airframe going 2 b funded in rmk 12 is there a chance for something else AWACS for example Mr marhalim?
Reply
No AWACs until we get MRCA, as reported before apart from LCA it will be the UAV, likely one system, and four MPAs
@ marhalim
Awacs only after we get mrca? That would be more than 20 years from now. Indonesia has listed Awacs in its 2020-2024 development list. By 2025 3 of our neighbours will have awacs capability.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/defence-white-paper-why/#comment-408045
Reply
Yup that's what I have been told...its part of CAP 55 plan
$ $ $... We dun have enemy this is the major factor. For much capability option will be Gripen, JF-17 else choose between Yak-130 or m-346.