An inert training R27 missile displayed during RMAF open day last June.
An inert Sparrow missile displayed during the same event as above
A Kh-59M (top) and a Kh-31 inert missiles on display during the same event. In the background is the APX-9 data link transmitter for the Kh-59M
KUALA LUMPUR: According to a Russian report Malaysia never obtained the RVV-AE (Nato reporting name AA-12/R77) the Russian version of the Amraam until two years ago, even later than Amraams. Some 150 of the RVV-AE were exported to Malaysia in 2007-2008.
It has been reported before that Malaysia had also procured the Amraamski when the air force obtained the Fulcrums back in 1995 but the report claimed that we only exported 150 R-27s (AA-10, the Russian equivalent of the Sparrow) also in 2007-2008 period. This could be bad book-keeping as the air force had publicly displayed inert R-27s since, as I could remember. back in 1999
The report also stated that some 366 R-73E (AA-11) heat seeking missiles were exported to Malaysia since 1995 to 2007. The same report also listed the procurement of 12 Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles in 2007. It however did not mentioned other types of missiles, Kh-29 (air-to-surface) and Kh-59 (tactical cruise missile), that reportedly were part of the Sukhoi procurement package. Inert versions of all three missiles, were displayed during the air force open day last June. Of course they could have bought inert missiles for proficiency training and when the money is available they simply ordered it and when the missiles arrived, the pilots and ground crew are already qualified for the system. One can surmise or assume anything on this issue, a threat may be better than none at all…
If the report on the Russian missile acquisition is correct, we apparently did not gained any extra favour from the Russians when it comes to advanced weaponary. It may be that the Fulcrum was not equipped for the Amraamski and the KH-31P but since we only received the Amraams in 2005 (see previous Malaysian Defence report) the balance of power in South East Asia was never an issue.
We also got Harpoons (29) and Sparrows (44) between 1997-1999 to equip the Hornet fleet. Malaysian Defence however cannot find any record of the delivery of Maverick missiles to Malaysia in that time period although various reports suggested that the missiles have been in service since the Skyhawk period.
—MalaysianDefence
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View Comments (6)
Marhalim....the RMAF is particularly sensitive about information on what they do not have. The gomen has been shot changing munitions stockpiles for years, a volte face from the 80s when we bought absolutely masses of munition items. The real shitter with these PGMs and missiles is that they have a limited shelf life and need reworking every 10 years or so.
Simon
Marhalim: I understand the sensitivities of the RMAF but the weird thing that somehow or rather, their inventories always came into the public eye via other means.
looks like we have more Russian missile than American,anyway our stockpile missile is mixed,that is good advantage,but i think we need more American missile too.....
Maverick missiles were in the SIPRI database, and both US and Malaysia entries matched.
Marhalim: Yes, you are right, we got 30 Mavericks as part of the Hornet deal. I had forgotten about the Sipri database..
When we bought the MiG-29N from Russian, we also bought 250 of R-73 Archer missiles. But we didn't buy the R-27 (AA-10 Alamo) missiles from Russia. We bought 131 R-27 from Ukraine. Strange as it may seem but i do not know why. It was possible the Russians couldn't produce or sell new R-27 to Malaysia so the possibility is the Russians sold Malaysia the Ukraine R-27 stocks or the Ukraine supplied the missile as part of the deal with the Russian export company or Malaysia went and purchased the missiles direct from Ukraine. The only time we bought our R-27 from Russian was the Alamo-C which was designed for the Su-30MKM and this was done the same time during 2007-2009 period.
In terms of the AA-12 Adder BVR missile, the TUDM have in stocks about 35 units as each cost US$1 million. We bought these missiles in 2012-2013 period. We did upgrade the MiG-29 in 2002-2003 with the Topaz radar that was capable to lunch the AA-12 Adder but we didn't buy the missiles until 10 years later.
"We did upgrade the MiG-29 in 2002-2003 with the Topaz radar that was capable to lunch the AA-12 Adder but we didn’t buy the missiles until 10 years later."
I found a source speculating that our MiGs would be delivered with the Topaz radar. But I also found this source citing a photo of one of our aircraft's cockpits which showed an earlier radar, meaning they were not delivered with it. The markings were in English which matches our aircraft and perhaps only ours.
https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1995/1995%20-%201913.PDF
It appears to have been openly known before delivery that we would get the Topaz radar later. We have never done such an extensive upgrade at such an early point in an aircraft's life. So it seems we wanted the Topaz radar all along, but accepted delivery with an earlier radar because they were unable to supply the Topaz from day one.
Btw, I was in Singapore at end 1995 in Sarimbun (the area north of Tengah air base). I saw two our Fulcrums directly overhead.
Does anyone know if the Fulcrums were there on a visit or exercise at the time?
It's an impossible task to get squadron history.
Reply
1995? Unlikely ours in my opinion