RMAF Future; need opinions

[Ananda]

RMAF may fast-track fighter jet programme amid Kuwait deal uncertainty

RMAF may expedite its MRCA fighter jet programme due to delays and conditions tied to acquiring Kuwait's F/A-18 Hornets, says air force chief

thesun.my

Another talk on Hornet deal uncertainty. Honestly Malaysia MinDef should just discard the deal, focus yo get more FA-50. Kuwaiti Hornet supposedly only interim solution. If their budget won't cover new MRCA wihin this decade and has to go with interim fighters, then either go with UAE and Qatar Mirage 2K or surplus Chinese J-10.

In other word they should cut lost and move on to more reliable sources.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

RMAF may fast-track fighter jet programme amid Kuwait deal uncertainty

RMAF may expedite its MRCA fighter jet programme due to delays and conditions tied to acquiring Kuwait's F/A-18 Hornets, says air force chief

thesun.my

Another talk on Hornet deal uncertainty. Honestly Malaysia MinDef should just discard the deal, focus yo get more FA-50. Kuwaiti Hornet supposedly only interim solution. If their budget won't cover new MRCA wihin this decade and has to go with interim fighters, then either go with UAE and Qatar Mirage 2K or surplus Chinese J-10.

In other word they should cut lost and move on to more reliable sources.

Same with Indonesia, i think it is better not to choose for Mirage 2000 or J-10 as 'interim' solution. For Malaysia it is better to go with F404 aircrafts like second hand F-18s or JAS 39s, or like you said more new FA-50s

 

[koxinga]

The plan B is the additional or batch 2 FA-50M (18), reportedly and not go the 4.5 gen route (E.g EF2000, Rafales). That was the point of the interim fighter.

MRCA was supposed to be RMK14; they will likely bring it forward to late RMK13 to start the downselect. Options for a 5th gen platform would be... limited though. Unlikely they can secure F35 for both external and internal reasons. KF-21 would be mature but only late models (EX) will come with 5th gen features (IWB). Other will be KAAN.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The plan B is the additional or batch 2 FA-50M (18), reportedly and not go the 4.5 gen route (E.g EF2000, Rafales). That was the point of the interim fighter.

MRCA was supposed to be RMK14; they will likely bring it forward to late RMK13 to start the downselect. Options for a 5th gen platform would be... limited though. Unlikely they can secure F35 for both external and internal reasons. KF-21 would be mature but only late models (EX) will come with 5th gen features (IWB). Other will be KAAN.

I'm sorry, but what are RMK13 and RMK14?

 

[koxinga]

Their version of Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional, or in their case Rancangan Malaysia Ketiga Belas.

 

[Ananda]

Malaysia Signals FA-50M Phase 2 Expansion as RMAF Prepares to Double Light Fighter Fleet to 36 Jets - Defence Security Asia

Malaysia signals FA-50M Phase 2 expansion, potentially adding 18 more jets as the RMAF moves to double its light fighter fleet amid MRCA planning.

defencesecurityasia.com

Seems Phase 2 of LCA already confirm will be taken. The talk for MRCA seems being intensified, I suspect due to continue ambiguity of ex Kuwait Hornet. Just like in Philipines, Malaysia also shown tendency to pursue negotiation for KF-21.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Malaysia Signals FA-50M Phase 2 Expansion as RMAF Prepares to Double Light Fighter Fleet to 36 Jets - Defence Security Asia

Malaysia signals FA-50M Phase 2 expansion, potentially adding 18 more jets as the RMAF moves to double its light fighter fleet amid MRCA planning.

defencesecurityasia.com

Seems Phase 2 of LCA already confirm will be taken. The talk for MRCA seems being intensified, I suspect due to continue ambiguity of ex Kuwait Hornet. Just like in Philipines, Malaysia also shown tendency to pursue negotiation for KF-21.

KAI is offering the ability for aircraft in the follow‑on order of 18 FA-50s to employ the AIM‑120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
Singapore Airshow 2026: KAI moves to boost Malaysia's FA-50 package with proposed AMRAAM integration

 

[Ananda]

Kerajaan muktamad batal perolehan F/A-18 Hornet Kuwait

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 FEB - Kerajaan secara rasmi membatalkan perancangan untuk memperoleh armada pesawat tempur terpakai jenis F/A-18 Hornet dari Kuwait bagi kegunaan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM). Keputusan ini sekaligus menamatkan segala spekulasi mengenai masa depan perolehan aset...

www.airtimes.my

Malaysia MinDef officially cancelled all the effort and negotiation process to get into Kuwait F-18C/D. New MRCA going to be the aim, but more FA-50 will be the reliance so far.

 

[Ananda]

RMAF eyeing replacement for ageing Hercules fleet | New Straits Times

THE Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is studying the eventual replacement of the ageing C-130 Hercules tactical transport fleet as part of its long-term capability development plans.

www.nst.com.my

For decades the PAF acquisition (Phillipines not Pakistan) has been considered jokes in the region. Mared by indecisions and prolong process. However RMAF this recent years can fall on this quaqmire of vicious circle.

The RMAF Chief talk the need to replace Hornet D, Su-30 MKM, and C-130. Hopefully they cam realy make decision on this.

 

[Ananda]

Kuantan Air Base facilities for FA-50M jets to be ready by October | New Straits Times

SUBANG: Facilities at Kuantan Air Base in Pahang to support the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) South Korean FA-50M light combat aircraft are expected to be ready by October.

www.nst.com.my

Kuantan AB that being prepared for FA-50, will bevready by October. Honestly RMAF should get another batch of FA-50 as LCA, then contemplate the MRCA replacement for F-18D and Su-30M replacement. 2 sq of LCA and 2 sq of MRCA should be enough for RMAF for time being.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

RMAF eyeing replacement for ageing Hercules fleet | New Straits Times

THE Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is studying the eventual replacement of the ageing C-130 Hercules tactical transport fleet as part of its long-term capability development plans.

www.nst.com.my

For decades the PAF acquisition (Phillipines not Pakistan) has been considered jokes in the region. Mared by indecisions and prolong process. However RMAF this recent years can fall on this quaqmire of vicious circle.

The RMAF Chief talk the need to replace Hornet D, Su-30 MKM, and C-130. Hopefully they cam realy make decision on this.

There are several multirole combat aircraft on the market. Looking to the past, TUDM bought the BAe Hawk Mk.108/208 and was interested in the Panavia Tornado in the '80s/'90, so i wonder why Malaysia was never seriously interested in the EF2000.
Searching for a C-130 replacement can be a more simple program, ordering the C-130J, or ordering more A400Ms.

 

[swerve]

Or the C-390. 11 export customers so far, Colombia's negotiating an order, & Chile's discussing one. Nearer in performance to C-130 than A400M, & Embraer says it has lower operating costs than C-130.

Malaysia has AAR kits for A400M, but it's reported to still use KC-130s alongside A400M, so the AAR capabilities of C-390 could be of interest. It may be better for refuelling jets than the KC-130 is.

 

[Ananda]

Seems fix, until end of this decade RMAF focus on getting LCA (FA-50) up to 2 squadron. While Su-30M and FA-18 as MRCA will soldier on until next decade. The additional MALE UAV shown Bayraktar.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

View attachment 55049

Seems fix, until end of this decade RMAF focus on getting LCA (FA-50) up to 2 squadron. While Su-30M and FA-18 as MRCA will soldier on until next decade. The additional MALE UAV shown Bayraktar.

That's very good, not too many different types of new aircrafts in procurement, specially if TUDM keep with the FA-50 to replace the Hawk Mk108/208 instead of adding other aircrafts like the L-39/-159, M346 or chinese models.
The EC725 in TUDM's fleet, aren't they not used for CSAR also?

Hopefully the F-18D and Su-30MKM can get a MLU soon, in order to be usable until the arrival of a new generation of fighterjets, because that will maybe take another 10 years.

 

[Ananda]

Hopefully the F-18D and Su-30MKM can get a MLU soon, in order to be usable until the arrival of a new generation of fighterjets, because that will maybe take another 10 years.

Marhallim in his blog talk about 2035 as target for new MRCA. I don't know if that's the target, MLU is appropriate investment. I suspect RMAF want to only do maintenances to make the assets operational until new MRCA.

ROK KAI known to be work hard to get southeast asia FA-50 users, getting KF-21 bandwagon as MRCA. They are willing to provide atttractive financing packages (not unusual thing being done by Fighter producers), and no string attach political baggage. The last one is the one thing I emphasises, compare to Sweden, UK, German and US. On Nato side, I see French, Italian and Turkiye that goes with or close to that unpolitical agenda approach on defense contract.

Rumours say that's why ROK actively lobby Indonesia as KF-21 junior partner to activate batch 1 contract. This in hope to attract more ASEAN members to follow suit. It is also potentially can make KF-21 as standard MRCA among many ASEAN members as T/FA-50 done.

 

[swerve]

ROK KAI known to be work hard to get southeast asia FA-50 users, getting KF-21 bandwagon as MRCA. They are willing to provide atttractive financing packages (not unusual thing being done by Fighter producers), and no string attach political baggage. The last one is the one thing I emphasises, compare to Sweden, UK, German and US.

But KF-21 has an American engine. It will have US strings firmly attached.

The future indigenous engine is planned for the late 2030s.

 

[Ananda]

But KF-21 has an American engine. It will have US strings firmly attached.

Yes KF-21 is not ITAR Free, and it is not engine, many components are coming from US. The glass canopy and many parts of cockpits for example are coming from US suppliers. ROK need to get US assurances that their export customers not something that can break ITAR rules.

However I'm more emphasise with financing package. Financing package for defense assets from supplier country also shown to the buyer that the supplier by using their own money as credit line, committed to pursue the export through. So it is not just bean counters structure finance tools, but also political support from the seller government.

For country like Malaysia that just recently 'burn' on NSM by Norway changing political 'appetite', having that kind of guarantee is important.

 

[koxinga]

I don't see ITAR free as an important requirement from RMAF and as Ananda said, other considerations like finances and geopolitical alignment is probably more important.

With the exception of their SU-30, the rest of their fleet are Western with US components, from existing F/A-18s, to incoming FA-50s to their transport and training assets.