MPA Upgrades

TNI-AL CN235W at LIMA 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: MPA and Upgrades. No contracts for the upgrades of the Nuri, Hawks and Hercules were signed at the recently concluded DSA 2018 although it was promised ahead of the show. However Indonesian Aerospace the manufacturer of RMAF CN-235s was awarded a three year MRO contract by the government.

What’s interesting is that the MRO contract provided for the conversion of three out of the six CN-235 transporters in service into MPAs. The seventh CN-235 is configured for VIP transport. The eight aircraft was written off after it ditched near Kuala Selangor in February. 2016.

Thales AMASCOS workstation on board the Indonesian Navy CN235 MPA displayed at LIMA 2015.

However the conversion program will depend on the availibility of funds and the government has yet to indicate when money will be allocated. Indonesian Aerospace says that it will fit the Thales AMASCOS system on the CN-235s. No word however whether this will be brand new ones or the ones fitted on the King Airs.

CN235 MPA of TNI-AL displayed at LIMA 2015.

Indonesian Aerospace has marketed new built CN-235 MPAs to Malaysia for some time now. The conversion program might well be the second prize. As for the upgrades not signed, there is no word when it will be done.

— Malaysian Defence

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About Marhalim Abas 2287 Articles
Shah Alam

12 Comments

  1. Tiada rotan, akar pun berguna.

    6 is a good minimum number of MPAs that we should have. Those remaining B200T could be passed on to MMEA after upgrading to improve its performance (MTOW, reducing empty weight, more engine power, less drag)

    MTOW upgrade from 12,500lb to 14,000lb

    Reduce empty weight by 200lb with lighter Garmin g1000 avionics

    More engine power with blackhawk pt6 turboprop upgrade.

    Less drag. Remove tip tank and replace with winglet. Install new saddle tank (190gallon) behind the engine cowling to replace the tip tank.

  2. You mean there No Selection of other MPAs ?

    Reply
    New built MPA is a different thing

  3. Off topic: A bunch of articles saying Malaysia considering buying the JF-17. Is it true?

    Reply
    in Ennor

  4. CN-235 MRO is good. hope we can see the conversion spec in LIMA.that is better than none. congrats..

    although for for the upgrades of the Nuri, Hawks and Hercules not awarded is a headache. that is long overdue. this GE will have a lot of thing riding with it.

    thanks for covering the DSA 2018 Mr Marhalim

  5. Marhalim, does this mean the RMAF will have 7 MPS eventually, 4 new ones and 3 converted from current CN235?

    Reply
    More actually…

  6. Jadi ada dua program MPA yg berbeza..3 buah yang dikonversi daripada cn235 sedia ada adalah sebagai stop gap manakala lagi 4 buah MPA baru yang akan dibeli nanti adalah program lain.

    Reply
    Actually there is a third one…

  7. AAA,

    Buying an JF-17 might be Nightmare for RMAF and Politician… I rather Look at M-346 and F/A-50 for Light Combat Aircraft.

    Marhalim,

    Thanks for Remind. I hope These C-295 was secleted.

  8. Oh i did not see the number of only 3 to be considered for conversion to MPA. IMO do it if only the new MPAs to be CN-235 also. If not, the rojak will still continue.

    Reply
    Yes my guess RMAF will be under pressure to choose new built CN 235s if the conversion program is funded

  9. I believe they going reuse the Beecraft AMASCOS. This might save a lot on hardware cost.

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