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Money Don’t Grow On Trees

F/A-18E Super Hornet belonging to the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 Argonauts as it performs an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz underway conducting routine training exercises in the Pacific. US Navy

SHAH ALAM: Money dont grow on trees. Apart from signing MOUs to buy Boeing passenger jets,
DS Najib Tun Razak also discussed with US President Donald Trump, defence and security matters.

From the joint US and Malaysia statement following the visit.

Advanced Super Hornet. Boeing photo

The United States and Malaysia pledged to strengthen bilateral defence ties. The two leaders underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in priority areas, including maritime security, counterterrorism, and information sharing between our defence and security forces. They committed to pursue additional opportunities for joint exercises and training.

The leaders also underscored the importance of enhancing maritime domain awareness through the development of maritime capabilities such as surveillance, communications, and information-sharing, and expressed their intent to continue discussions on funding of assets through the most effective mechanisms for developing these capabilities in order to advance regional security.

President Trump welcomed Malaysia’s intent to make an additional US$60 million in defence procurements from the United States.

US$60 million dollars or RM252 million is small change in defense and security world. For example a single Super Hornet cost some US$77 million or RM322 million, per flyaway cost of an aircraft. It will cost more if you include support, spares and training, of course. Read this if you dont agree with me of the price.

Taiwan Army M109A5 SPH. Wikipedia.

So RM252 million cannot possibly be for a Super Hornet, its not enough. Anyhow, even my sources in the Ministry have yet to confirm what is the intended procurement. They are being cautious of course, after what happened with the Blackhawk and MIG-29 deals.

A file picture of the M109A5

That said the only US thing we had signed on was the M109 SPH. However as I also posted before even that had been delayed.

MD530G test bird with the weapons package expected to be procured.

As it is, my best guess is that the US$60 million deal is likely to be the M109 SPH. It is too low for the MD530G LSAH deal. Your guess is as good as mine.

— Malaysian Defence

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Marhalim Abas: Shah Alam

View Comments (19)

  • I knew it, we won't get SH. But In 2020 i guess We Gonna Have Rafale or Typhoon soon Since the SH Will gonna out of production in 2019. BTW, Apart from M109, Does it means we are the First Export Operator of Paladin A6 Marhalim.

  • With that amount maybe it's for little things like support equipments, missiles, rifle accessories or others

  • I suppose $2 million USD for each SPH, so the amount is very possible for SPH, but who knows? Javelin ATGM maybe??

  • US$60 millions, a reasonable price to pay for some 30 units of refurbished M109?

    Reply
    We have to get back to that once it is confirmed its the SPH

  • Is the contract for the MD530G not signed yet? I thought Hishammuddin said they shall be delivered this year.

  • We could buy 2 or 3 beechcraft 350 outfitted for maritime patrol....to replace the one that crashed. I think one cost about 12 mil without equipment. The planes could be outfitted later

    Reply
    Its cheaper just to fit the ISR equipment on the two Super King Airs already leased by RMAF

  • Good to hear we're bolstering our artillery force. Seems like we're getting Nemo 120mm mortar as well as mortar carrier variant of AV-8 as well

    Next is to get new 105mm gun as well as additional 155mm gun to complement g5

    Reply
    There are still discussions on whether we need both the towed 105 and 155mm or should just go with 155mm only.

  • However the Super King Air are owned by Aerotree and its bankers may not like the idea of fitting something that may jeopardise its resale value in the event of loan default by the borrower.

    And its new. RMAF likes new.