SHAH ALAM: The One That Got Away (TOGO). As we wait for the funding of the MPA in the next several years, Malaysian Defence can now reveal that the contract for these aircraft would probably have been signed at LIMA 19. That said it was more likely to happen if the former government had prevailed in the general election as it was approved during its time.
As the selected aircraft is being considered for the rebooted programme I will not name it here lest I will be accused of shelling for the company (I am not though I am pretty sure some will say so).
Chilean Navy C295 MPA. Airbus
For the record the aircraft being considered for the rebooted MPA programme are the Airbus C295, Boeing P-8, PTDI CN235, Kawasaki P1 and the Leonardo ATR-72MPA. The Bombardier Q400 MPA should also be in the running though I am not sure which version is being offered for RMAF.
Despite having to consider the previous selected aircraft in the rebooted programme, RMAF, I was told was looking at all possibilities. As for TOGO I was told it was approved by the BN government ahead of LIMA 17.
However, there was a delay in selecting the platform which meant that the specifications were not finalised until after the 2018 budget had been approved by Parliament. This meant funding for TOGO could only be made available until the 2019 budget although the programme had been approved. Please note that the practise of approving a programme without funding are normal (even for other countries though they normally announced the deadlines for them) so do not go off tangent on this.
Then came the May 9 general election with the Pakatan Harapan coalition taking over the government. Despite, this I was told that negotiations for TOGO continued with the plan to have it funded in the 2019 budget.
The negotiations stopped after the new government announced a review of all contracts – signed and forthcoming – with the Defence Ministry. Shortly thereafter TOGO was cancelled as it was decided that it will not stand up through the scrutiny of a review as it was done through direct negotiation (it was SOP for the previous government) instead of an open competition favoured by the current government.
As the MPA requirement was still valid, it returned into military’s wishlist waiting for another day for its revival. It was several months later ahead of LIMA 19, the RFI for the MPA and others were issued by RMAF after the Defence Ministry decided it could go ahead to seek the best aircraft in open competition to meet its requirements under the long term modernisation plan, CAP 55.
–Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (55)
IMO what we can do with the rebooted MPA programme is to look beyond platforms and into the specific mission systems.
Probably we can have RFQ to mission solution providers / systems integrators to propose the best solution to be based on TUDM existing platform, the CN-235-220. The systems must not just be capable of doing its primary maritime patrol/ASW/SAR role, but must also be capable of secondary overland ISTAR support.
Some systems that could be integrated for our MPA
Mission System
- ATOS
- AMASCOS
- FITS
- Scorpio
- MSS 7000
- etc
EO Turret
- Wescam
- FLIR
- Euroflir
- ASELFLIR
- etc
Radar
- Seaspray 7500E AESA
- etc
Optical radar
- VIDAR
MAD
- MAD-XR
- etc
Sonobuoy
ESM
- SAGE
- etc
COMMINT
AIS
SATCOM
Air-droppable SAR Kit
modifications for the CN-235 itself
- in flight refuelling probe
- engine exhaust IR suppressor
- chaff/flare dispenser
- missile warning sensor
- observation windows
- tail ramp torpedo/sonobouy modular launcher
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBhypDcZ18w/WPtidAZYNWI/AAAAAAAAy2E/PVuJhCg_uroYeVIxR2ZZ-k90vA75mT6yACLcB/s1600/Marco%2BPapa.jpg
New MPA for France
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/D9W25kGWsAEQitY.jpg
Can you give us a hint which one TOGO is....turboprop or turbofan?? European or Asia Pacific?? I am soooo excited. Difference now is we are not just getting MPA but MALE as well. Also is it true the JF 17 block 3 is the hands on favourite for the LCA.
Reply
No lah, its not JF17, it's the twin seaters that's the odds on favourite
I don't understand, so did it get away or is it still in the hand. The first part of the article sounded like it won't be materialising anytime soon but the 2nd part says there is an RFI so making it clear that the current administration are still committed to pursuing the MPA. On hindsight there's pros and cons on open competition, if the MKMs were bought via open competition it would likely came with all Russian equipment. I just hope TUDM gets what they really want, and not something shoved onto them.
I watched “TOGA” as a kid. About a Luftwaffe pilot who became a POW but escaped back to Germany. Later killed in action in Russia. Black and white and 50’s or 60’s production.
My concern is not with what we buy but the need for no additional delays, the fact that a mere 2 and not the minimum of 4 (from an operational perspective) are bring acquired, the need for the MPA to be operated “jointly” and for it to have some level of network connectivity with other assets.
I’ll be very surprised if they come fitted with MAD and torps; realistically this is unlikely to happen. Even a chaff/flare dispenser is unlikely : by and large, most MPAs are not fitted as such unless there is a clear need/threat (I’m not suggesting there is zero need).
At this stage the RMAF has a pretty good idea as to what would suit it requirements, how it would like to fit it out and how much the government is willing to allocate. The problem is that the government might have other ideas as to what should be selected.
No lah, its not JF17, it’s the twin seaters that’s the odds on favourite.....then must be YAK-130 mitten then......2 seater n 2 engine.
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There are the KAI FA-50 and Leonardo M346FA as well...and even the L-15s...
@ azlan
I think that is why a different kind of thinking is needed.
I think the example with MMEA OPVs is a good one.
The government initially approved the budget that is supposed to be enough for only 2 OPVs. With the budget approval, MMEA went around and asked for the best offer for the approved budget. What MMEA got is an offer for 3 OPVs for the budget.
So in the MPAs case, yes the budget approved probably enough for just 2 brand new MPAs. But focusing on systems to be built into existing aircraft would theoretically get the ideal 6 (IMO) MPAs.
.... - “I think that is why a different kind of thinking is needed“”
Irrespective of whether a “different kind of thinking” is needed we can safely say that RMAF by this stage has a pretty good idea as to what to put on the MPAs and what it can realistically afford based on the allocation likely to be approved.
Yes things can undergo a slight change in the future : RMAF can continue to make a case for 4 platforms and will continue to look at the most cost effective options but as it stands approval has been only granted for 4 and the RMAF has to plan accordingly.
Perhaps is better to temper expectation. Maybe theres a need to buy something or else LIMA 21 would have less than 402 foreign companies participating. Sorry my pessimism but theres still.projects thats not delivered.