SHAH ALAM: RMAF has set another flight record, this time involving the Airbus A400M air lifter. Airbus held a ceremony at the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA), to celebrate the achievement of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) for being the first A400M operator to log more than 10,000 flight hours worldwide in 2021.
Johan Pelissier, Head of Asia-Pacific for Airbus Defence and Space, presented the award to General Dato’ Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan RMAF, Chief of Air Force to commemorate the milestone. The event was also attended by Raymond Lim, Airbus Chief Representative Malaysia; Jose Corcia, Head of Airbus Defence and Space (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei) and Addi Faiz Adnan, Head of Airbus Defence and Space for Malaysia.
Having achieved more flight hours and flight cycles than any other A400M operators, the RMAF is recognized as the A400M global fleet leader, serving as a valuable reference for all existing A400M customers and Airbus.
Recently, RMAF upgraded one of the A400Ms with tactical capabilities, enabling the aircraft to perform missions such as aerial delivery, full paratrooper deployment or low-level flight. The RMAF became the programme’s first export customer and is the first A400M operator in the Asia-Pacific region.
— Malaysian Defence
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So even RAF, German Air Force, Turkish Air Force has not flown more than 10,000 hours?
They have much more larger fleet than RMAF.
This year exhibitionist for DSA is much smaller without Russia. For info rentaka is designed for pdrm-pga/pgk. Mildef airdropped buggy with 3 crew members is suitable for pandura or recon mission
And last but not least P4 MPa based on D.H Q400 airframe can only carry 2 weapons station/pylon (1 each at fuselage)
Goes to show to detractors that these are no unwanted hangar queens. But otoh, TUDM is working them to the bone, so is that a good or bad thing?
Only means that MAF A400m is overworked with aging C130s that are too old and expensive to operate. Even hospital patients transfer from east malaysia to west malaysia also utilised A400m.
In short term it would save money for RMAF, because using more of the A400M instead of C-130H wil defer the looming overhauls needed for the C-130H.
But in the near future it all the deferment will catch up when RMAF need to overhaul both C-130H and A400M all at nearly the same time.
gonggok – up when RMAF need to overhaul both C-130H and A400M all at nearly the same time”
Such a situation will probably never occur. Just like how the C-130s were never in a position where all or even half had to undergo lengthy squadron or depot level maintenance at the same time; the same will apply with the
C-130s and A400Ms. It’s always staggered and allowance made for delays based on input from the engineers.
The C-130 fleet right now there is probably about a third parked just to delay overhauls to save money. About a third of the C-130 fleet currently is flyable (been flying supporting 10para exercises and maritime patrols) are also burning flying hours and will reach their overhaul limit.
The brand newness of the A400M, and its great reliability allows RMAF to put lots of C-130 maintenance on hold, and instead just maximize the flying hours of the A400M. But it will catch up with RMAF eventually.
If Gonggok’s allegations about Hercs maintenance delays are true, another possibility is due to AIROD still being persona non grata with Mindef/TUDM.
gonggok – ”The C-130 fleet right now there is probably about a third parked just to delay overhauls to save money.”
I’ve been told that number is much lower.
gonggok – ”(been flying supporting 10para exercises and maritime patrols)”
Quite a number of hours are utilised on training/proficiency flights.
gonggok – ”But it will catch up with RMAF eventually.”
No idea about the ”will” part because it’s still early days and I prefer not to make any predictions until there are indicators but RMAF focus or priority are the A400Ms and just like how it tends to be somewhat easier for the RMN [still with delays however] to ge funding for the Scorpenes; It’s easier for the RMAF to make a strong case for the A400Ms with regards to funding.
RMAF is trying to get the upgrade contract signed so the overhauls of the Hercules could be done at the same time
Still with AIROD or with LM directly?