SHAH ALAM: Fulcrum revival? It appears that the on-and-off idea of reviving the RMAF Mig-29N Fulcrum fleet is currently back in vogue again. Two years ago, the matter was discussed by the previous government but nothing came out of it. The current government – likely defence ministry officials – are now thinking of doing the same thing, with the issue coming up during discussions with Russian state owned arms corporation, Rostec officials at LIMA 19.
Rostec international cooperation and regional policy director Viktor Kladov told a media briefing at LIMA 19 that they gave several options in the discussions regarding the Fulcrums even though it was difficult to gauge whether the latest one was definitive as Malaysia had been flip-flopping over the issue for the last ten years.
A four ship of MiG-29 aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force(RMAF) aerobatic display team the “Smokey Bandits” perform during the 2012 Singapore Airshow on Feb. 15, 2012.
He said if Malaysia really wants to put back the Fulcrums into service, there were two ways of doing it. One, a simple refurbishment that will allow the 16-strong Fulcrum fleet (around six was flying until they were stored in late 2016) back into service as quickly as possible. The second one was to refurbish and upgrade the Fulcrums to the latest standard, the Mig-35. Kladov said he had told Malaysian officials that the Fulcrums had a long service live, 40 years, actually.
Fulcrum M43-18 – with its green camo was parked inside a hangar used as a VIP holding room.
He said if Malaysia did not want to put back the fleet into service, the airframes could be sold to Russia in exchange for “three to four” Sukhoi Su-30MKM or the latest Su-35s. Otherwise, Russia could also sell the airframes to other users like Bangladesh or India, with the proceeds, paid to Malaysia.
Two Fulcrums taking off for the flypast during RMAF anniversary parade in June 1, 2016. One of the last time Malaysian Defence saw the Fulcrums flying.
Kladov, who was involved in the purchase of the Fulcrums and Flankers – he was based in Kuala Lumpur from 2001 to 2009, said he had discussed both options with Malaysian government officials, from both the current and previous governments.
Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten performing a display at LIMA 2019. Zaq Sayuti.
He also said Russia is willing to buy palm oil as part of a counter trade for the two RMAF aircraft as well as the Yak-130 combat trainer, one of the candidates for the LCA project.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (113)
Please just trade them for more sukhoi planes
In my thoughts actually, why not just get the Fulcrums operational again while waiting for solid enough funds for the MRCA project in the waaaay future? Cost-wise I wouldn't know, but I'm sure operational experience-wise, we have the proper track record after all these years? Maybe there are other factors involved?
Hope for more sukhoi to enter service since ATSC already can MRO our Sukhoi fleet in country plus our current government want to sell more palm oil to Russia.I hope with this two factors we can add more Sukhoi in RMAF.
For me its also okay to bring back to life our 16 MiG-29 as MRCA stopgap.
MRCA is dodo given new government push for LCA and with the migs costing the AF close to 300 million annually, I bet that they are also looking to get rid of them as well.
Getting more Su-30s seems like a better idea imo. More budget can be allocated for LCA programme.
Trade all our MiGs in exchange for 3-4 new MKMs?
That is a superb deal!
Even hungary is selling off its MiG fleet for just USD10 million! I dont think anyone will give a better deal than that for our MiGs.
https://www.janes.com/article/86269/hungarian-mod-looks-to-sell-off-decommissioned-mig-29s
trade in MIG for new SU30 look good but do RMAF want more SU???the operating budget for it is high enough but they willing to accept palm oil so its a mix feeling...
but considering the new people in mindef who said they will respect RMAF wish before this plus our PM who in previous admin keep push in a lot of "political plot" into RMAF throat..... ,let see how this will turn out....hehehe
We only need 6 more SU30s to make two squadron of 12 each. But with the Russia on sanctions we might have to make do with a version different from MKM. MKM got many westernised avionics and radios. Could be a good challenge for ATSC though to integrate some themselves.
We can also use this strategy for the Hawks too. Buy a few Hawks to replenish to two squadrons of 24-36nos.
I still hope for the Kuwaiti Hornets though. We would have nice balance air force if we can get 4-8 Hornets. As bonus though.
I think its better for us to trade our fulcrum for flanker... another 6 will do. Split it into 2 squadrons... One in west msia and the other in east malaysia. East malaysia has been ingored for too long i think.
The best plan is to go with the low cost LCA, say 12 TA 50 or FA 346.
The cost of maintenance for the Fulcrum will still be too high. Supplement Hornets with Kuwaiti seconds for the time being. We only need 4 to 10 to make the Hornets a proper squadron. Russian products have been problematic, so we need to learn from this.