Replacement of Malaysia MiG-29s Faces Future Budget Challenges

luca28 · 11-03-2009, 04:06 AM

Source: http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/438/

08:23 GMT, November 2, 2009 defpro.com | The Malaysian Government has indicated that it intends to retire its entire fleet of MiG-29N interceptors by the end of 2010. The government is expected to save RM260 million ($75.68 million, €51.30 million) annually by phasing out the aircraft. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the money saved would be utilised to pay for the maintenance of other aircraft and systems which were still being used in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

He said the MiG-29N fighter jets would be phased out as it was difficult and costly to maintain some old components and systems for the fighter jets.

"The weaponry for the fighter jets has reached the end of its lifespan and extending the lifespan would be costly and would not be viable," he told Parliament. Ahmad Zahid said this when replying to Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) who wanted to know the rationale in phasing out the Russian-made MiG-29N jet fighters.

The minister said the RMAF planned to replace the MiG-29N fighter jets with the 'Multi Role Combat Aircraft' (MRCA) for air operations. "After the MiG-29N fighter jets have been phased out, their role would be carried out by the Sukhoi SU-30MKM which is among the most sophisticated long-range fighter jets," he said.

The MiG-29N aircraft played the role of interceptor jets and 18 of the fighter jets were purchased for the RMAF in 1993. However, two of the aircraft crashed in 1998 and 2005.

The Malaysian decision marks the “end of an era”, as Malaysia was the first non-Soviet block country to acquire Russian combat aircraft. Malaysia is now expected to float a request for proposal (RFP) for 18 new-generation fighter aircraft to replace the MiG-29Ns. This may take the form of long-expected follow-on order for a second batch of F/A-18s (these would now be in the SUPER HORNET version), but thinking in Kuala Lumpur appears to be in favour of an open tender. Circulation of the RFP is expected sometimes next year after completion of a study on the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s fighter requirements. It seems likely that all major combat aircraft manufactures will be invited to submit their bids. Given the current emphasis on bolstering its indigenous defence industry, Malaysia would probably include not only the usual request for offsets, but also technology transfer and industrial partnership clauses.

In the meantime, Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has already offered to buy back the remaining 16 MiG-29Ns and in turn supply the RMAF with a follow-on batch of six Su-30MKMs at what is described as a “fair price”.

The RMAF’s plans for the purchase of a new fleet of fighter aircraft are, however, facing very serious financial obstacles. The global economic downturn appears to have been a damper for the Malaysian defence procurement. Since 2008, Kuala Lumpur has been careful not to announce any major orders but rather proceed with ongoing commitments. The defence procurement budget is under strain, as the government focuses on economic recovery.

The 10th Five-Year Malaysian Plan (2011-1015), which is to the submitted to Parliament in June 2010, is expected to propose procurement and development funding to the tune of RM7 billion (some $1.6 billion) for the entire defence and security sector, with some RM5 billion being allocated for defence proper. It is further understood that nearly half the total amount will be invested in order to replenish war stocks (missiles, bombs and ammunition), with relatively little money being left for new procurement efforts. Also, at least 30 per cent of the available money will be reserved for purchases from the national defence industry. Clearly enough there is no way the purchase of 18 new-generation aircraft could be financed under these conditions.

----
By Dr. Ezio Bonsignore, Editor-in-Chief of MILITARY TECHNOLOGY (http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/438/)

ayanami_tard · 11-03-2009, 04:13 AM

rosoboronexport apparently offered to trade in those MiG for additional 6 batch of Su-30MKM

so far,nothing concrete have been announced(and there are no decision either RMAF would take the deal or not)

about another 18 MRCA to complement Su-30MKM,apparently they are also evaluating swedish,french and UK aircraft,alongside the american(F/A-18F have long been said to be bought,the same trend of purchasing MiG-29N and F/A-18D a decade earlier)

and then there's another more urgent thing to be replaced(new multipurpose support ship,new medium transport helicopter,new wheeled APC...)

and not to mention those fags(read: "opposition party") in the parliament

junglejim · 11-03-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayanami_tard

rosoboronexport apparently offered to trade in those MiG for additional 6 batch of Su-30MKM

so far,nothing concrete have been announced(and there are no decision either RMAF would take the deal or not)

about another 18 MRCA to complement Su-30MKM,apparently they are also evaluating swedish,french and UK aircraft,alongside the american(F/A-18F have long been said to be bought,the same trend of purchasing MiG-29N and F/A-18D a decade earlier)

and then there's another more urgent thing to be replaced(new multipurpose support ship,new medium transport helicopter,new wheeled APC...)

and not to mention those fags(read: "opposition party") in the parliament

They should just go with the trade by the Russian, so as to not waste resources. Plus adding another MRF in the line up would just be logistical nightmare.

highdiver_2000 · 11-03-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junglejim

They should just go with the trade by the Russian, so as to not waste resources. Plus adding another MRF in the line up would just be logistical nightmare.

They don't think the same as you do. Mig-29, Su-30, F-18 and F-5 pretty much sums up the whole picture.

sepheronx · 11-03-2009, 06:37 AM

If Malaysia wants cheap, why not purchase an Sukhoi aircraft to replace the Mig as interceptors, as it would be cheaper to upkeep as it would probably share parts with the SU-30MKM's?

Just a thought.

junglejim · 11-03-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highdiver_2000

They don't think the same as you do. Mig-29, Su-30, F-18 and F-5 pretty much sums up the whole picture.

Well maybe they have their own reasons, as for my opinions its just an armchair assessement.

Universal_Soldier · 11-03-2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junglejim

They should just go with the trade by the Russian, so as to not waste resources. Plus adding another MRF in the line up would just be logistical nightmare.

It's not a straight swap, they still have pony up a lot of cash of the turning in the MiGs.

Clockwinder · 11-03-2009, 04:46 PM

Wasn't the MiG-29N's role was always somewhat moot, given their maintenance challenges and poor range? Still, a 15 year life for the type is pretty fair. It would appear they can't afford to keep 'em and can't afford to replace 'em. Why not look at more F-18s?

ayanami_tard · 11-03-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clockwinder

Wasn't the MiG-29N's role was always somewhat moot, given their maintenance challenges and poor range? Still, a 15 year life for the type is pretty fair. It would appear they can't afford to keep 'em and can't afford to replace 'em. Why not look at more F-18s?

they are in the process of being replaced

russia offers to trade in the MiG(so far no news from it.i guess it will be official if malaysia take the offer).i hope malaysia take the offer(offer seems too good to be declined) and also buying another 18 more aircraft

if my math is right(but this is based on optimistic view)

18 Su-30MKM

+6 from possible trade in

=24 aircraft

+8 F/A-18D

=32 aircraft

+another more 18 MRCA(let's hope the deal is finalized)

=50 aircraft.just enough to defend the airspace from every direction

Karaahmetoglu ლორთქიფანიძე · 11-03-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayanami_tard

they are in the process of being replaced

russia offers to trade in the MiG(so far no news from it.i guess it will be official if malaysia take the offer).i hope malaysia take the offer(offer seems too good to be declined) and also buying another 18 more aircraft

if my math is right(but this is based on optimistic view)

18 Su-30MKM

+6 from possible trade in

=24 aircraft

+8 F/A-18D

=32 aircraft

+another more 18 MRCA(let's hope the deal is finalized)

=50 aircraft.just enough to defend the airspace from every direction

Is this from the Indian MRCA competition? Malaysia is in that too?

ayanami_tard · 11-03-2009, 09:55 PM

no..........

Universal_Soldier · 11-03-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayanami_tard

they are in the process of being replaced

russia offers to trade in the MiG(so far no news from it.i guess it will be official if malaysia take the offer).i hope malaysia take the offer(offer seems too good to be declined) and also buying another 18 more aircraft

if my math is right(but this is based on optimistic view)

18 Su-30MKM

+6 from possible trade in

=24 aircraft

+8 F/A-18D

=32 aircraft

+another more 18 MRCA(let's hope the deal is finalized)

=50 aircraft.just enough to defend the airspace from every direction

You seem to think that 18 old and busted MiG 29s are equal to 18 mint Su30MkM. That's very inaccurate. The trade in is not a straight swap. A lot money will go along with the trade in. it's more like a discount.

ayanami_tard · 11-03-2009, 10:02 PM

actually 16 MiG(2 crashed) for a batch of six(6) MKM

and actually the intention to buy a second batch of 18 MRCA is surfaced since 2003.F/A-18F remain as no-1 contender

Universal_Soldier · 11-03-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayanami_tard

actually 16 MiG(2 crashed) for a batch of six(6) MKM

and actually the intention to buy a second batch of 18 MRCA is surfaced since 2003.F/A-18F remain as no-1 contender

one Su-30MK can costs as much as $45million. so are you saying that those old MiGs could be worth close to $17 million each???
Those MiGs are pretty much worthless without a service life extension which will also cost Millions of dollars per plane. So nobody is swaping them for 6 Su-30s. If you've ever traded in a car then you 'll get the picture as in what the trade-in is all about.

LS1 Miata · 11-03-2009, 10:52 PM

Those MiG-29's have a rather short life span.

11-03-2009, 04:06 AM	#1
luca28 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 279	Replacement of Malaysia MiG-29s Faces Future Budget Challenges Source: http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/438/ 08:23 GMT, November 2, 2009 defpro.com \| The Malaysian Government has indicated that it intends to retire its entire fleet of MiG-29N interceptors by the end of 2010. The government is expected to save RM260 million ($75.68 million, €51.30 million) annually by phasing out the aircraft. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the money saved would be utilised to pay for the maintenance of other aircraft and systems which were still being used in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). He said the MiG-29N fighter jets would be phased out as it was difficult and costly to maintain some old components and systems for the fighter jets. "The weaponry for the fighter jets has reached the end of its lifespan and extending the lifespan would be costly and would not be viable," he told Parliament. Ahmad Zahid said this when replying to Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) who wanted to know the rationale in phasing out the Russian-made MiG-29N jet fighters. The minister said the RMAF planned to replace the MiG-29N fighter jets with the 'Multi Role Combat Aircraft' (MRCA) for air operations. "After the MiG-29N fighter jets have been phased out, their role would be carried out by the Sukhoi SU-30MKM which is among the most sophisticated long-range fighter jets," he said. The MiG-29N aircraft played the role of interceptor jets and 18 of the fighter jets were purchased for the RMAF in 1993. However, two of the aircraft crashed in 1998 and 2005. The Malaysian decision marks the “end of an era”, as Malaysia was the first non-Soviet block country to acquire Russian combat aircraft. Malaysia is now expected to float a request for proposal (RFP) for 18 new-generation fighter aircraft to replace the MiG-29Ns. This may take the form of long-expected follow-on order for a second batch of F/A-18s (these would now be in the SUPER HORNET version), but thinking in Kuala Lumpur appears to be in favour of an open tender. Circulation of the RFP is expected sometimes next year after completion of a study on the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s fighter requirements. It seems likely that all major combat aircraft manufactures will be invited to submit their bids. Given the current emphasis on bolstering its indigenous defence industry, Malaysia would probably include not only the usual request for offsets, but also technology transfer and industrial partnership clauses. In the meantime, Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has already offered to buy back the remaining 16 MiG-29Ns and in turn supply the RMAF with a follow-on batch of six Su-30MKMs at what is described as a “fair price”. The RMAF’s plans for the purchase of a new fleet of fighter aircraft are, however, facing very serious financial obstacles. The global economic downturn appears to have been a damper for the Malaysian defence procurement. Since 2008, Kuala Lumpur has been careful not to announce any major orders but rather proceed with ongoing commitments. The defence procurement budget is under strain, as the government focuses on economic recovery. The 10th Five-Year Malaysian Plan (2011-1015), which is to the submitted to Parliament in June 2010, is expected to propose procurement and development funding to the tune of RM7 billion (some $1.6 billion) for the entire defence and security sector, with some RM5 billion being allocated for defence proper. It is further understood that nearly half the total amount will be invested in order to replenish war stocks (missiles, bombs and ammunition), with relatively little money being left for new procurement efforts. Also, at least 30 per cent of the available money will be reserved for purchases from the national defence industry. Clearly enough there is no way the purchase of 18 new-generation aircraft could be financed under these conditions. ---- By Dr. Ezio Bonsignore, Editor-in-Chief of MILITARY TECHNOLOGY (http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/438/)

11-03-2009, 04:13 AM	#2
ayanami_tard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 「under the moonlight」 Age: 19 Posts: 2,398	rosoboronexport apparently offered to trade in those MiG for additional 6 batch of Su-30MKM so far,nothing concrete have been announced(and there are no decision either RMAF would take the deal or not) about another 18 MRCA to complement Su-30MKM,apparently they are also evaluating swedish,french and UK aircraft,alongside the american(F/A-18F have long been said to be bought,the same trend of purchasing MiG-29N and F/A-18D a decade earlier) and then there's another more urgent thing to be replaced(new multipurpose support ship,new medium transport helicopter,new wheeled APC...) and not to mention those fags(read: "opposition party") in the parliament

11-03-2009, 06:37 AM	#5
sepheronx Making Canadians look bad Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canada Age: 20 Posts: 1,482	If Malaysia wants cheap, why not purchase an Sukhoi aircraft to replace the Mig as interceptors, as it would be cheaper to upkeep as it would probably share parts with the SU-30MKM's? Just a thought.

11-03-2009, 04:46 PM	#8
Clockwinder Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St Louis Missouri USA Posts: 289	Wasn't the MiG-29N's role was always somewhat moot, given their maintenance challenges and poor range? Still, a 15 year life for the type is pretty fair. It would appear they can't afford to keep 'em and can't afford to replace 'em. Why not look at more F-18s?

11-03-2009, 09:55 PM	#11
ayanami_tard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 「under the moonlight」 Age: 19 Posts: 2,398	no..........

11-03-2009, 10:02 PM	#13
ayanami_tard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 「under the moonlight」 Age: 19 Posts: 2,398	actually 16 MiG(2 crashed) for a batch of six(6) MKM and actually the intention to buy a second batch of 18 MRCA is surfaced since 2003.F/A-18F remain as no-1 contender

11-03-2009, 10:52 PM	#15
LS1 Miata Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 685	Those MiG-29's have a rather short life span.