SHAH ALAM: Its looking likely that the Korean Aerospace (KAI) FA-50; Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas LCA and the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 will be one of the aircraft selected as RMAF next generation FLIT-LCA. This is the likely outcome after RMAF chief Gen Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan in an interview with Perajurit that a physical evaluation on the selected aircraft will be conducted this June 22 and the contract is scheduled to be issued on August 22. He was quoted as saying that six aircraft will be delivered in stages in 2025. (In the interview no aircraft make was mentioned)
Tejas LCA MK 1. Wikipedia Commons
The interview is likely done ahead of the RMAF 64th anniversary on June 1. Anyhow, why did I said that the FA-50; Tejas and JF-17 will be among the ones selected? Well, in the written answers to my questions ahead of the anniversary, RMAF stated that six aircraft were put forward for the FLIT-LCA tender namely, the FA-50; Tejas and JF-17 and three others; the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Hurjet; Yakovlev Yak-130 and the Mikoyan Mig-35D. As both the Russian planes are under sanctions while the Hurjet prototype will only fly next year, its obvious that only the three aircraft mentioned earlier will be the ones to be selected.
AVIC/PAC JF-17. Internet
It must be noted in the written answers, RMAF did not specify the final candidates of the FLIT-LCA tender nor confirmed whether Hurjet was dropped from the final list as it remained a prototype. RMAF also stated that it planned to buy 18 FLIT-LCA in the current RMK though it is not consistent with the statement made by the RMAF chief to Perajurit. Perhaps the next 12 will be contracted for next year or the year after. If this is indeed the way of the procurement going forward, it will kill off any talk of local assembly.
A mock-up of the TAI Hurjet. Daily Sabah
My guess it will be the FA-50 as I had mentioned before. Both the Tejas and JF-17 are strong candidates but the South Korean plane is the most logical one, it has the biggest user base and are in service much longer than the other pretenders. I stand to be corrected of course. I had previously said that there were only four aircraft that entered the FLIT-LCA tender.
PAL Aerospace/De Havilland Dash 8 400 P-4 MPA. PAL Aerospace.
Anyhow, in the Perajurit interview, Mohd Asghar Khan also said that the full report of the MPA tender will be forwarded to the Defence Ministry’s procurement committee on June 22 for a decision. In the written answers to Malaysian Defence. RMAF stated that validity period of the MPA tender has been extended to September 9, this year. The tender validity was supposed to end on June 3 (tomorrow). This will be the second time the tender’s validity is extended, the first one was done late last year, which allow it to be continued until June 3.
–Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (102)
Most likely the Indon MPA will be selected. Heard from my connection in Mindef that the tender will be based on the lowest cost and relying on MK1 eyeball and very basic sensors to save cost. Political reasons. Perhaps the Government decide "Fit for but not with" standards again. I hope the Government will not rely on pressures from some politician (just recently assigned to Indonesia) and go for what is suitable and decided by the air force.
Nope, the CN-235 I was told didn't participate in the tender
It is said that there are 6 bids submitted.
from most sources, those are
1) Kemalak Systems Sdn Bhd - KAI FA-50
2) Turkish Aerospace Industries - TAI Hürjet
3) CATIC China - Hongdu L-15
4) Leonardo Malaysia Sdn Bhd - Leonardo M-346
5) Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. - HAL Tejas Mk1A
6) Aerospace Technologies Systems Corp Sdn Bhd (ATSC) - MiG-35
Rumor is that the JF-17 team was told not to put in the bid by china to make way for L-15. But if TUDM told you that the JF-17 did bid, then JF-17 it is.
Personally i would prefer if they capped the plan acquisition of 36 LCA to just 12 or at most 24.
Afterwards just go acquire newly built MRCA next RMK. If the Korean paper to be trusted the cost per unit of LCA is $45 mil. Basically one can get 10 f35A for the price of 18 LCA.
That long huh, is it possible the winner will be announced by June 22 or atleast before Aug 22? The wait is killing me...although I too agree the FA-50 is the likely winner
The real fight will be Tejas and Fa-50 as final TUDM wishlist. I also believe we cannot shortlisted 1 only. The final call will be package n price.
Tejas sounds not mature but it will be the only available "western" system choose besides FA50. It surprise me M-346 do not take part.
M346 is not supersonic which I think is the reason why
I think by early August we will know. Of course this could be sidetracked if they decide to hold the GE early
Perajurit magazine is hard to get a copy now these days. i used to be an avid collector. where can i get it now?
The last time I saw it, it was at the Popular bookstore in Aeon, Shah Alam. I think they are available for purchase on Shoppee or Lazada.
@Marhalim, I was told CN-235 did participate in the Tender or may be the dark horse in MPA race with pressure from some politicians for cheapest options on table. It was also pushed forward by our new ambassador to Indonesia. What is the basic requirements proposed by Gov for our MPA? Sonar buoy capable? or armed with torps?