 | ||
The equipment of the Royal Malaysian Air Force can be subdivided into: aircraft, ammunition, weapons, satellites, and ground vehicles.
Contents
Procurement
To boost Malaysia's security in eastern Sabah from the threats of militants from the southern Philippines as well as to dispose of older inventory, the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) transferred four of its S-70A Black Hawk to the RMAF. BAE Hawk 200 squadrons have been stationed in various bases across East Malaysia in order to launch air-to-ground operations and attacks against foreign militants attempting intrusion into Sabah. In 2016, BAE Systems entered into a strategic partnership with a Malaysian aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre AIROD to upgrade the avionic systems on the Malaysian BAE Hawk aircraft. As part of the Malaysia's Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program, Malaysia is looking to replace its ageing MiG-29 and F-5 fighters which have long since passed retirement age. Due to financial difficulties, the plan was postponed year after year. Announcement of the winner of the project, as well as purchasing of the new generation fighters will most likely occur between 2016-2020. The major contenders of this project would be the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Sukhoi Su-30 and the Sukhoi Su-35. While Malaysia's Aerospace Technology Systems Corp. (ATSC) has launched a bid to upgrade the ageing MiG-29 fighters, Dassault Rafale has offering financial package with a ten-year repayment loan from a French commercial bank and guaranteed by the government of France to assist procurement of their fighter. This offer was countered by BAE Systems' Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab JAS 39 Gripen which has offered competitive leasing deals instead. EADS and BAE Systems has offered to set up joint venture companies for maintenance and repair of the aircraft if it is selected, along with competitive financial support extended by the UK government. Beside promoting their jet fighters, Saab is pitching their airborne early warning and control aircraft, the Global Eye (Bombardier 6000) equipped with Erieye radar system and is looking for local partners in Malaysia for manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul. Russia is ready to offer their jet fighters to meet Malaysia’s requirements. The Russian defence export corporation, Rosoboronexport which supplied the Royal Malaysian Air Force with Sukhoi Su-30MKM expressed its readiness to discuss the prospect of establishing joint and licensed production facilities in Malaysia. The Russians have argued that despite some initial advantages especially in terms of meeting the high cost for maintenance, fuel, parts and insurance in the short term, the lessors the aircraft will require frequent checks to be assured that terms of the lease are upheld, and the aircraft will eventually have to be returned after the leasing period is up. As such, leasing fighter aircraft will have significant drawbacks in the defence of sovereignty of the nation. Instead, the Russian offering their Sukhoi Su-35 at lower prices than their western rivals. However, according to reports by insider sources, the Malaysian Government has shortlisted the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale instead.
In the late 2015, it was rumoured that Malaysia might purchase the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder, but the report was denied by Malaysian Defence Minister and said they were still determining to choose. It was believed that there was an immediate requirement for new fighters due to the increase of China's aggression in the South China Sea dispute. Belarusian company also expressed their interest to help Malaysia to upgrade and repair their Russian-made fighter jets. Following the visit of Saudi King in early 2017, Malaysia are reportedly seek to buy the excessive Royal Saudi Air Force jet fighters and helicopters.