SHAH ALAM: Standing in the eyes. It appears that RMAF is the world leader in using the Airbus A400M airlifter so much so that the company has awarded an award to the service. RMAF chief General Ackbal Abdul Samad accepted the Fleet Leadership Award on behalf of the service at the Singapore Airshow 2020 today.
From Airbus
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has received a Fleet Leadership Award from Airbus in recognition of its record-setting utilisation rates for the A400M.
For 2019, three of RMAF’s A400Ms recorded the highest number of flight hours, with one aircraft surpassing 2,000 flight hours, and another two aircraft recording nearly 1,900 flight hours. This makes the RMAF the global fleet leader for the A400M for the second year in a row.
Between August and September 2019, RMAF also achieved 100% fleet availability with the A400M over 40 consecutive days.
In recognition of RMAF’s outstanding achievement, Airbus Defence and Space, represented by Bernhard Brenner, Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales, presented a token of appreciation to RMAF’s Chief of Air Force, General Dato’ Sri Ackbal bin Hj Abdul Samad, at the Singapore Airshow today.
The delivery of RMAF’s first A400M took place in March 2015, with the second and third aircraft arriving in December 2015 and June 2016, respectively. RMAF’s fourth and final A400M was delivered in March 2017.
The A400M is the most advanced, proven and certified airlifter available, combining state-of-the-art technologies to fulfil the current and upcoming armed forces’ needs. The A400M combines the capability to carry strategic loads and support humanitarian and disaster relief missions, with the ability to deliver even into tactical locations that have small and unprepared airstrips, as well as to serve as a frontline-tanker. The RMAF has proven the A400M’s capabilities on-the-field with many missions performed over the recent years.
Malaysia is Airbus’ first export customer for the A400M. Other operators of the A400M include the German Air Force, French Air Force, Spanish Air Force, Royal Air Force (UK) and Turkish Air Force. Belgium and Luxembourg will receive their first aircraft later this year.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (60)
Well done RMAF!
Outstanding achievement indeed, not to mention the proper hangar
and supporting elements.
To be the fleet leader of the A400M world with only 4 airframes is exceptional. Other air forces like UK, France, Germany, Spain and Turkey has at least twice that number. A military transporter flying 2,000 hours annually is a lot. That said if it has flown that much, the OPEX for that is available and those birds are not spending most of its time on the ground.
I hope that in RMK13 (2026-2030), we would have the budget to get 2 more A-400M from excess Spanish or Germany allocation at lower than list prices. A fleet of 6 would be easier for the airforce to have 4 available for 10 PARA deployments.
Goes to show those naysayers that claimed our A400s will be white elephants and hangar queens, knows nothing.
I don't see why do we need additional A400M when we have 14 hercs and 5 CN235.(even assuming 2 are released for full time MPA duties). That's not to mention 2,3 white tailed Hercs in Airod hangar. Especially when there are other more pressing needs like more hornets and AEW
Just asking..is there posible for this four program to be signed the contract within this year before RMK-12?
1)Maritime helicopter for TLDM
2)HMPV for UN contigent
3)SOV and ROV for GGK
4)24 carrier vehicle for ATGM or AGL
Reply
Yes
@ alex
We can have additional A400M and hornets + AWACS + airbone jammers etc etc
6 A400Ms would give 3-4 units available to transport 1 uparmed Leading Parachute Battle Group into a conflict zone.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/another-view-on-tudm-cap-55/
(I need to write a take 2 post DWP on this)
Yay!
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQkZDhMUcAAsEwS.jpg
Su-30MKM to pitch black 2020!
1x F/A-18D to be serviced by australia? What is this all about actually? IMO rather than wait for kuwaiti hornets, we could get additional aussie legacy hornets now. Fly them like we stole them, and retire them around 2030. While at it, ask nicely for S-70-a9 blackhawks for PUTD too.
Alex,
There is indeed no pressing need to
add additional transports in the near term as the Charlies - despite their age - still have lots of hours remaining and of course there are 4 A400Ms and 6 CNs - not as if we operate at a high operational tempo and have commitments all around the world.
People tend to focus on the merits of the A400M which is undeniable but for me; what happens if we require small loads (i.e. a single pallet) to be lifted? Would it justify using a A400M or even a Charlie. What happens if the bulk of operational sorties don’t require the cargo space required by a A400M? Taking into account the operating costs and practicalities involved; is this a trade off we’re willing or able to make in the long term?
Sure the RMAF finds the capabilities offered by the A400M useful (the irony of course is that decision was a political one and the RMAF, which has other priorities in the form of radars, MPAs and helicopters, had no say); in terms of avionics, support systems and architecture it’s the most ”modern”/technologically advanced airframe we operate.
From a operational perspective (never mind personal opinions or preferences); do we need additional ones in the near term? For me the answer is no as we have pressing long overdue requirements in other areas.
It remains to be seen what future direction the RMAF intends to take with its Charlies. We know it wants to do away with the CNs for the tactical transport role but what do we intend to eventually replace the Charlies with? Do we intend to maintain the numbers or (to use a cliche) do more with less in the future?
@... @alex
Good call on the additional A400s although we already have an established transport fleet as mentioned.
Focus, effort, finance priority should be the LCAs/FLIT. Half of MPA program is also on it's way.
Hornets yes, as ... mentioned as interim solution until our Gen5 purchase post 2030s. Heli fleet for RMN too..
2000 hours annually is too much. In a average RMAF fly A400M 5.5 hours daily!!
Where were they going and how many tons package on board?
What about charlie and CN? How many flying hours anuually?
I think RMAF love to take A400M anywhere rather than using charlie and CN.