SHAH ALAM: IF someone were to check out the Star website yesterday, it would have been reasonable for him or her to think that the Government was on the verge of deciding on the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Alas the report failed to mention that it has been reported on various times – not only in this site – that the decision on the MRCA programme is months away. I understand that the question was prompted by the visit of the French PM to Putrajaya yesterday but next time do you homework please. Of course it was obvious that the Rafale – one of the four contenders for the MRCA programme apart from Typhoon, Super Hornet and Gripen – would have come up in the conversation.
The New Straits Times took a different tack however with Najib stating the obvious. According to Najib, any new purchase would involve budgetary consideration and not be made merely on the country’s future defence requirements. Sheesh, it appears that as I had reported before the MRCA programme has fallen behind the pecking order of things to buy.
Anyhow, a parade is being held today to celebrate Warriors Day. Lets hope money or the lack of it will not be used as an excuse not to arm our warriors with the best weapon available.
–Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (1)
Azlan says:
July 31, 2013 at 4:52 pm
After all the talk about the super duper canggih and sexy Rafale and Typhoon, we will have to get our feet back on the ground and face reality; the only platform we can afford to buy or operate will be the less sexy Gripen, that will not look as impressive as the Rafale and Typhoon on Merdeka Day and at LIMA. The way things are going, the marketing people at BAE Systems and Dassault are in for a disappointment . Then again, this in Malaysia, anything can happen ….
maurice says:
July 31, 2013 at 7:13 pm
PM Najib was quoted by the NST 30 Jul, “Any new defence purchase would involve budgetary consideration and not be made merely on the country’s defence requirements.We have to grapple with deficit reduction as we need to strenghten our macro and fiscal position.”
Guys, I think the PM is giving a hint not to expect any big-ticket defence purchase any time soon, including the MRCA!
AM says:
August 1, 2013 at 8:27 am
That is code for saying he would love to get another French toy but the country has been on the verge of a downgrade for some time (just made official) and plenty of people in Umno would use that against him if they don’t benefit from the deal.
maurice says:
August 1, 2013 at 7:22 pm
If there is a urgent requirement to reduce unnecessary expenditure, the PLKN (National Service Programme) should be the first item to be on the chopping block.
nimitz says:
August 2, 2013 at 7:33 pm
PLKN. Must have a big political will to kill this PLKN.
kamal says:
August 2, 2013 at 10:53 pm
I tend to read the statement by Najib as indirectly saying that MRCA would not be in the buying item at least till 2020. It could lead to a possibility that the MIG may be given a limited life extension but it could also mean that the MIG would be retired soon with no replacement. Personally i believe the second option would be the most likely.
Reply
Yes the Fulcrums will be retired in 2015
AM says:
August 2, 2013 at 11:12 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpang_Airport
Azlan says:
August 3, 2013 at 3:47 am
A very interesting video. I have absolutely no idea though why there is a patch in the pilot’s bonedome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGPXXKNFaIs