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.