Malaysia denies report to close deal for light combat aircraft by yearend
The JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan, which is among those offered to the RMAF. Photo c/o Wikipedia. |
The chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) denied reports that the service will be signing a contract to procure more than 30 light combat aircraft (LCA) before the end of 2019.
RMAF chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang called the report "far fetched", while also calling the budget and total number of aircraft to be acquired as "ridiculous".
Instead of the earlier reported MYR36 billion budget for more than 30 aircraft, the figures are closer to MYR7 billion due to budget constraints within the Malaysian government.
Also, it requires time and further study to determine the aircraft to be acquired in lone with the RMAF's Capability Development 2055 (CAP 55).
Among those in consideration by the RMAF include the FA-50 by Korea Aerospace Industries of South Korea, Tejas by Hindustan Aeronautics of India, Yak-130 by Irkut Aerospace of Russia, JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan and the Alenia Aermacchi M-346FA Master from Italy.
It was also previously reported that Malaysia is only interested to pay using barter with palm oil, which limits the possible countries that will supply the aircraft due to their ability to accept such deal.
[1] New Straits Times
Malaysia denies report to close deal for light combat aircraft by yearend
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
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May 25, 2019
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