SHAH ALAM: Transporters to maritime patrollers. After some delays it appears that the plan to upgrade a number of RMAF CN-235s to maritime patrollers is finally coming to fruition, thanks to the US. From Jane‘s.
I had reported previously on this issue at DSA 2018.
However Indonesian Aerospace the manufacturer of RMAF CN-235s was awarded a three year MRO contract by the government.
What’s interesting is that the MRO contract provided for the conversion of three out of the six CN-235 transporters in service into MPAs. The seventh CN-235 is configured for VIP transport. The eight aircraft was written off after it ditched near Kuala Selangor in February. 2016.
Upgrading the CN-235s to MPAs will be the most visible Maritime Security Initiative projects between Malaysia and the US, after the gift of 12 ScanEagles, first announced two years ago. The other was the coastal radars for the eastern coast of Sabah. Most of the other things by the US under the MSI through out the years, are mostly command and control and communications equipment.
Though as important as the drones and radars, the nature of these equipment made them almost invisible, even I would not noticed them if given the chance to see it being used by the Malaysian military. The problem is compounded as these equipment are not identified expressly apart from the generic “command and control and communications equipment.
Anyhow the mission equipment to be installed on the CN-235 are likely to be sourced from the US as well though it must be said that these had been installed on Indonesian Air Force and Navy CN-235s as well.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (69)
I dont like it one bit..this has to stop..Malaysia always forced to make do with bare minimum equipment.
Does this means that the requirement for 3nos new MPAs under RMK12 (2021-2025) will see the IAe's CN-235s(or even CN-295s) as the frontrunners?
Choosing new types now might burden the logistics chain later one. Or cancel it all together since we used existing platform?
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Its still early in the game to know what's in store in the future
Great news. As these equipment may have come at a good price maybe we can add in Sigint n ISR equipment too
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It will come with the SIGINT and ISR equipment as well
If I'm not mistaken there was one (1) C-130 Hercules in white color that used for limited MPA role long time ago..It is (White C-130 Hercules) still exist?
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Two actually was bought for maritime surveillance, no specialised equipment apart from observer's windows in the rear
Marhalim,
This is excellent news. Do you know if the B200s are still going to been used, perhaps for smaller areas like along Selat Melaka, for example, while the CN235 for Laut China Selatan?
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No idea of the operational areas yet
Even for MPA, RMAF is forced to use a 20 years old plane as the platform. Menawhile TNI is keep receiving a new CN-235 220 variant with wingtip.
It is a clue, money is scarce.
Next step is MRSS...let see how it will be done?
Thank you Uncle Sam!
Thank you uncle sam for the generous gift.
It is quite humiliating for something so basic as the MPA that we cannot stump up the budget from our own coffers. Shame on you Mat Sabu, and don't pat yourself in the back and put this 2 MPA conversion as your success in this years Mindef report card.
Now we need to also convert 4 more of the CN-235 into MPAs. I am sure this would cost not more than USD50 million to convert to the same spec as the Integrated Surveillance and Defense, Inc. modification for the 2 free samples.
A good thing about this is we will finally get our much needed MPA with more range than the current beechcrafts.
The bad thing is i am sure that the MPA will not come with any ASW capability.
Well we can just use this as is, and replace it later post 2030 with a proper ASW MPA. But it will then compete for budgets with our needed MRCA in 2030-2040 time frame.
Any confirm number of AC to be converted? Was told this project is not the new procurement of MPA in the next RMK. Wonder which squadron will operate it?
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Two
So with this we're not gonna buy new MPA is it?