SHAH ALAM: More details on LCA and UAV RFI. The Dewan Rakyat has published the written answers on RMAF LCA and UAV RFI based in questions posed by Tanjung Malim MP Chang Lih Kang. Chang asked the names of the LCA and UAV models and companies involved and the amount of money allocated for their purchase.
The answer from RMAF stated that the RFI for LCA and UAV were issued in December 2018. It said the purpose of the RFI were to obtain the basic information, packages and basic cost in order to prepare rough estimates of the cost and no money had been reserved for the programme.
Boeing T-X. Saab
“RMAF has not shortlisted any aircraft or UAV for the time being. As requested RMAF named the LCA and the companies which acted as the agents for them for the RFI. What is interesting about the list is that one aicract, the L-15B from AVIC is represented by two local companies. Two aircraft not mentioned previously by Malaysian Defence are the Aero Vodochy L-39NG and the Boeing TX.
1.Pesawat FA-50 keluaran Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. melalui syarikat Kemalak Systems Sdn Bhd;
2.Pesawat TEJAS keluaran Hindustan Aeronautic Limited melalui syarikat Forte Drus Sdn Bhd;
3.Pesawat JF-17 keluaran Pakistan Aeronautical Complex melalui syarikat Kharisma Wira Sdn Bhd;
4.Pesawat YAK-130 keluaran Rosoboronexport/Irkut Corporation, Rusia melalui syarikat Sovereign Strategic (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd;
5.Pesawat M-346 keluaran Leornardo/Alenia Aermacchi, Itali melalui Leonardo (Malaysia Office);
6.Pesawat L-15B keluaran China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), China melalui syarikat Takamaya Sdn Bhd;
7.Pesawat L-15B keluaran China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), China melalui syarikat Paragon Avtech Sdn Bhd;
8.Pesawat L-39NG keluaran Aero Vodochody Aerospace, Republik Czech melalui syarikat VisionGen Group; dan
9.Pesawat Boeing T-X keluaran Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Amerika Syarikat melalui syarikat Quantum Virtuality.
RMAF also provided a similar list of the UAV and the companies representing them.
1.UAV ANKA keluaran Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turki melalui syarikat Unmanned System Technology Sdn Bhd;
2.UAV ANKA keluaran Turkish Aerospace Industries, Turki melalui syarikat Quantum Virtuality;
3.UAV Predator-B keluaran General Atomics Aeronautical, Amerika Syarikat melalui syarikat Insansiz Aircraft System Sdn Bhd;
4.UAV Wing Loong 2 keluaran China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), China melalui syarikat Paragon Avtech Sdn Bhd;
5.UAV Patroller keluaran Safran Electronic & Defense, Perancis melalui Safran Aerospace Defense Security Malaysia Sdn Bhd;
6.UAV CH-4 keluaran China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC), China melalui syarikat Mount Matrik Sdn Bhd;
7.UAV Watchkeeper keluaran Thales, United Kingdom melalui Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd;
8.UAV Orion-E keluaran Kronstadt Technologies, Rusia melalui syarikat Alaf Research & Technology;
9.UAV Falco Evo keluaran Leonardo, Itali melalui Leonardo (Malaysia Office); dan
10.UAV Aurora keluaran Amerika Syarikat melalui syarikat VisionGen Group
Based on the list, we now know that the ANKA UAV is also represented by two companies Unmanned System Technology and Quantum Virtuality. UMST is a joint venture company between CTRM ( a member of DRB Hicom, SCS Sdn Bhd and Ikramatic Sdn Bhd. As for Quantum a Google search revealed that it’s an IT company. No other information was available.
The list also identified five other UAVs not previously mentioned in Malaysian Defence namely the Patroller, CH-4, Watch Keeper, Orion E and Aurora. It must be noted that both the Patroller and Watch Keeper have been marketed previously to Malaysia while the others are new entrants to the market.
As the Defence Ministry has confirmed that it will be buying the MALE UAV in the next RMK it will be interesting to see which one will be selected for the programme. It must be noted that Jordan recently announced its selling its CH-4 drones.
CH-4 drone
And before any one say it in the comments, no, I dont think it is a good idea for Malaysia to buy these drones from Jordan. It is unlikely CASTC will support them even though the drones are almost brand new. It is likely Jordan dumped them as they were not working as advertised so why we should get them even it is cheap.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (37)
Just a small step in getting the LCA/LIFT and UAV of our own.
In the LCA shortlist, the Gripen is missing altogether. The T-X is a surprise addition promoted by an IT company? The L-39NG, while a great aircraft on its own, does not have the performance to be a credible LCA.
Of the western UAVs offered, IMO the Patroller is the lowest cost among them. There is a few options if you like the platform by itself. The patroller is actually based on the Ecarys ES15 powered glider, with UAV systems by Safran.
http://www.ecarys.com/the-es15/
There are other parties that can convert the ES15 into UAV, like
http://www.uasvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Viper-1000cc.jpg
http://www.s-plane.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ES15-320x200-2.png
Anyhow IMO we should try to ask for US EDA predators 1st, before looking at new options.
I think Wing Lung is better choice if compare with CH 4. I think about Aero L-159 Alca but no 1 bting in. Good to have this list. Wish the budget will come soon.
Why is it that the RFI has to go through the middlemen mafia as usual??? This only leaves room for "greasing the skids" as usual. The chosen companies are mostlyl reputed aircraft manufacturing companies who can definitely handle any of these queries directly. Its about time the middlemen are eliminated to drive for better use of tax payer money!
Reply
Well for starters, why would an OEM set up a company here when they have yet to secure a contract? And if a programme have yet to be funded and approved why should an OEM spend money to promote its products here? A local agent would not have to spent much money to represent an OEM. Yes in a perfect world there is no need for agents but this is not a perfect world.
Based on past postings here, I am on the mind that the LCA shall be a 2 seater, supersonic and with commonality with existing missiles and engines of RMAF current fleet. That put FA-50 and Tejas in place.
While the UAVs shall be armed MALE drone with at least 24 hours endurance and Non-Chinese origin. Is it me that find it really hard to fathom spying on China naval activity in SCS with Chinese UAVs? This put ANKA,Patroller and Watchkeeper.
Correct me if i am wrong
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Tejas is basically a single seater jet with a twin seat trainer that's still under final development. Apart from the FA50 there is the M346, Yak 130 and the L15
The decision to get the Beechcrafts was also driven by the need for a AAR refuelling capability. By this period the handful of A4s with refuelling pods were already retired and a decision was made to get “roll on, roll off” kits for the MPA configured Charlies.
Ironically even after the Beechcraft entered service the formerly MPA configured Charliies were still used for patrolling the EEZ (unsurprising given only 4 Beechcrafts were ordered). A few years ago Chinese bloggers released pics showing a low flying Charlie taking pics of Chinese ships.
The tragedy with MH370 provided the RMAF with an opportunity.to press it’s case for MPAs. A requirement that remained unfulfilled from the early to mid 2000’s when several types were looked at. Post MH370 the government initially showed an interest but like some many other things; the MPA requirement became less of a priority.
@ azlan
" Ironically even after the Beechcraft entered service the formerly MPA configured Charliies were still used for patrolling the EEZ (unsurprising given only 4 Beechcrafts were ordered) "
Not surprising as we even created a record for the longest hawk operational flight because we use them for SAR!
Right now with only 1 beechcraft operational, that is probably why the hercules is still needed regularly to do maritime patrol missions.
Hazwan,
Ironic maybe but using a Chinese made UAS to monitor Chinese activity doesn’t present any problems. Also, although it’s the Spratlys which first come to mind and the Spratlys where the UAV will probably spend most of its time; we can safely say that the UAV will also be used in other places.
Watchkeeeper?! Hahaha!
That would be my bet for least likely frankly.
I hope a cost estimate is made public early in the acquisition process.
'The more things change, the more they stay the same'
Okay I'll admit there are some bidders coming from their official reps (Leonardo, Safran, Thales). But mostly the rest are anonymous & never heard of before. Said go through open tender but all that entails are anonymous middlemen representative companies. Back to the same ol Mahathirism shenanigans again.
Why does just getting RFIs already needs 3rd parties? Were these established equipment makers represented by them 3rd party middlemen during DSA 2018 and LIMA 2019? No!!! So why are these 3rd party middlemen dealing with the Government on their behalf? I mean, Boeing doesn't have a local or regional official representative? That's incredulous! Sigh.....
Going back to the LCA. The T-X is the most newest, having been just only recently selected by USAF as their future trainer. Though its the least mature platform, it was design onset with an eye for pilot transition to 5th gen stealth fighters. This will help to prolong the lifetime usage of the planes, and will provide the perfect step up if ever the MRCA program moves onto 5th gen planes.
Plus it did beat out the other prime T-X candidates that were too in LCA bidding (T-50, M-346 as the T-100.