Rafale..No and Orions

SHAH ALAM: Rafale, no. No deal for Rafale, that was the main thrust of the joint press conference between Prime Minister DS Najib Razak and visiting French president, Francois Hollande. The press conference was held after Najib and Hollande hold talks in Putrajaya as part of the state visit. From […]

Malaysia - RMAF

Kuwaiti Hornets

SHAH ALAM: Kuwaiti Hornets? There is a possibility that the excess fighter aircraft offered by Saudi Arabia are actually surplus Kuwaiti F/A-18 C/D Hornets. Former Combat AirForces editor Alan Warnes, who came for LIMA 17, tweeted today that “the RMAF has been offered surplus F/A-18C/D by Kuwait”. The KAF’s multirole […]

Malaysia - RMAF

RMAF Display at LIMA 17

SHAH ALAM: As there was not much action in the exhibition halls, let’s spend our time on the air display, specifically the RMAF ones. This time around, the Sukhoi Su-30MKM of the 11 Squadron was joined by the Hornet of the 18 Squadron for the solo display. After an absence […]

Malaysian Defence

All Over The Place

LANGKAWI: All Over the Place. The budget crunch is forcing the RMAF to relook its plans and there is a possibility it may have to extend the life of its Mig-29 Fulcrum fleet. RMAF chief Jen Affendi Buang told reporters yesterday that every possibility were being looked at as the […]

Airshow

Contracts and Nuri Handing Over

LANGKAWI: Contracts and Nuri Handing over. Nuri tail number M23-37 was officially handed over to the RMAF today marking the start of in service flight trials for the helicopter with the new digital cockpit. NADI Group, the parent company of Airod Sdn Bhd, signed the proof of concept contract at […]

Malaysia -RMN

Ships Updates, LMS and LCS

LANGKAWI: Ships Update, LMS and LCS Work on the first LMS is expected to start in May. The work is to be undertaken by Boustead partner, China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Ltd, in one of it shipyards in China. Under the RM1.17 billion contract, two of the LMS will be […]

Malaysian Defence

Hawk Upgrade

LANGKAWI: Airod Sdn Bhd will be the prime contractor for the Hawk upgrade program. The letter of intent will be officially signed this morning, the last trade day of LIMA 17. Other contracts will also be signed at the same ceremony – worth some RM9 billion according to DPM DS […]

Malaysia - RMAF

Rafale…Oui?

LANGKAWI: Its the Rafale? I wrote in Aviation Week today that the French government is making a last ditch effort to get Malaysia to sign for the Dassault Rafale at next week’s planned visit of its president to Kuala Lumpur. The story is here, unfortunately, it is behind a paywall. […]

Airshow

Two Contenders for MRSS

LANGKAWI: Two Contenders for MRSS. Despite the MOU between Boustead and PT PAL, there is yet no guarantee that they will get the contract to build the MRSS. Facing off against the offering is a contender from China though it is not clear which ship or the shipyard yet. Although, […]

Malaysian Defence

LIMA 17 Preview

LANGKAWI: LIMA 17 preview. I have been thinking about writing a preview of LIMA 17 for some time now. However considering that we will be muddling through the year I could not figure out what to write even with the coming of LIMA until I actually arrived at Langkawi today. […]