edited to correct the figure of the A330 order.
PETALING JAYA: Over the weekend came reports that Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has been given the task to guide Malaysia Airlines (MAS) back into the black. Full details have yet to emerge but Khazanah Malaysiahttps://www.malaysiandefence.com/wp-admin/media-upload.php?post_id=1702&type=audio&TB_iframe=1 will remain the biggest shareholder with West Ham fan Tony set to extend his Midas touch so far. For further information, read here.
We are not interested in the dealings of the airline industry but since MAS has a number of aircraft that has dual usage its time to re-look at my previous proposals on how to use these assets.
With a new top dog on the job, rationalisation and redundancies will occur. MAS has more aircraft than it needs at the moment while the other government agencies, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the MMEA are crying for more planes, for AEW and maritime patrol.
MAS has ordered 35 Boeing 737-800s and up to 25 Airbus 330s to re-capitalise its fleet. Some of the 737s had been delivered (not sure of the numbers) while the Airbus have yet to be delivered.
I would like to propose here that Jalan Padang Tembak take six of the 737s that had yet to be delivered, four to be configured as P-8A Poseidon MPA and the other two fitted with the Wedgetail radar to serve as AEW aircraft. Two of the A330s should also be taken over by the Armed Forces as MRTT aircraft. In one fell swoop we have solved the problems of the armed services and MAS. The MRTT aircraft could also be used as cargo services when it is not needed by the armed forces.
Since the aircraft had been paid for by Khazanah, I believe the cost of converting the eight aircraft to be around RM4 billion to RM6 billion. I know RM6 billion is not cheap but it will be more expensive for the Armed Forces to buy the planes directly. And it will be better than having to sell them cheaply in the open market.
If you think, my proposal is illogical think again. A similar deal was carved out on the MAS BBJ around 2000 after the government took over the airline from Tajudin Ramli following the economic crisis in 1997.
Hopefully, this post will be read with more interest in Jalan Padang Tembak rather than the usual disinterest.
–Malaysian Defence.
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View Comments (46)
Well, I do agree with you and since we have this opportunity, perhaps we can also take over a few of the older Boeing 777 for conversion to Aerial refuelling and medical evacuation aircrafts too.
It would solve a lot of the Khazanah's problems too.
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Since there is no military version of the 777 I think it would be more prudent to use them for MasKargo..
Why not just use B737 instead as aerial tanker? IMO if we can't afford to convert the 737 into P-8 standard, we could settle with conversion similar to Indonesian B 737 Surveillance aircraft. During Ambalat crisis, I heard TNI-AU 737 had shadowed RMN PC and even captured some image of the patrol craft.
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No one had converted a 737 to MRTT yet. Thats why. We dont want to pay for the job.
It's the best idea to equip RMAF with latest aircraft in short time... with it's we can retire all the H-130. Just take 10 from this aircraft (4 A300 to be MRTT, 4 B737 to be MPA and 2 B737 TO be AEWC). Because RMAF will delever A400M at 2016 so this will fill the gap...
Brilliant idea...but I don't see it materialiase/see the daylight...
4 P-8
2 737 'Wedgetail'
2 A330 MRTT
Excellent opportunity, now to get the 'gundus' that make the decisions onboard.
It's a good idea you have here but I don't see much hope in this idea. Personally, I don't support the plan for share swaps between the two company.
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The plane...the plane...
Garda,
Shadowing and close up work is the job of the Nomad fleet. The 737 is fitted with a Motorola SLAR and operate from a distance.
Good thinking other than MPA and multipurpose cargo carrier, AEW config will not work as the structure mod is way complicated than the cool plug and play mindset
The new Auxiliary ship Bunga Mas 6 will joined the existing Bunga Mas 5 in Aden. But I doubt if BM6 will be equipped with Fennec like her sister BM5.
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Its most likely that BM6 will replace BM5 and for that they need a new Fennec
It seems unlikely but not for political reasons per say. The proposal does not take into account why 35 Boeing 737-800s and 6 Airbus 330 were ordered. I presume that the numbers were there because there were operational and business needs. While rationalising may take place, would it be so easy to just divert the planes?
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I admit I have no idea what are the plans for new MAS but it must some of the new 737s have been diverted to Firefly which is now flying to the same destinations flown by AirAsia. The 737s were supposed to be for MAS in Asean and slightly beyond so they had tweaked the plans somewhat. The Airbus was ordered for the Middle East/Far East and Aussie market so therefore there will be redundancies.
Its a political decision whether or not to divert the extra planes to other uses or to sell them