SHAH ALAM: THE publication of the UK’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) on Nov 23, has confirmed the availability of Eurofighter Typhoon for Malaysia – on day One – if and when the government choose the fighter aircraft for the MRCA programme.
Industry sources told Malaysian Defence the plan which called among others, the extension of the Typhoon out-of-service date (OSD) from 2030 to 2040 and 24 aircraft being retained to form two new front-line squadrons. The UK had earlier planned to retire the 24 aircraft – the so-called Tranche 1 Typhoon – between 2015 and 2019.
If the UK had retired the Tranche 1 Typhoons, we would probably end up paying the In-Service Support (ISS) costs if we were to opt to lease them until we get the new build aircraft under the lease and buy offer. It is likely the UK will get more Tranche 3 Typhoons, if the Malaysian deal goes through.
Under the deal, Malaysia can expect to lease around 18 fully-serviceable Typhoons and more importantly the full ordnance and support package as an interim measure until the new build aircraft could be delivered – usually within 24 months time after the contract signing.
Furthermore, with the UK and Saudi Arabia paying for the latest upgrades of the Typhoons, RMAF can expect to get one of the best fighter aircraft for the next 20 years.
And the offer does not end there apparently. If we choose the Typhoon, RMAF could also choose either upgrading its Hawk fleet or opt for the Hawk AJT after the new MRCA squadron is declared fully operational.
The cost free upgrading will allow RMAF’s Hawk fleet to operate for at least another 10 years. Among others with the upgrade, the Hawks will be able to fire a variety of guided missiles from air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles.
Opting for the Hawk AJT will be more costly however, though it is expected the UK government will offer large discounts for it. As it is the AJT is also capable of conducting close support, reconnaissance, surveillance and air defence – just like the current 108/208 fleet and more.
Industry sources told Malaysian Defence that although the Hawk upgrades have been approved for RMK11, funding for the programme remains uncertain with the current situation.
If the package route sounds familiar what about the other MRCA contenders then? Well I have written about the Saab package previously while the Rafale will be in the next post.
As for Boeing, I am not sure yet. Perhaps they are also packaging the Super Hornets with the Poseidon Lite (the Boeing MSA) which may not be surprising at all.
All of this sounds wonderful, but when will the government funds the MRCA programme then? Have they even agreed for the special funding needed for the programme to become official? Your guess is as good as mine.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (36)
Typhoon is the best Choice for RMAF Because It has a Storm Shadow,Long Range AAM And Good Quality.Buy 40 Typhoon than ASH.
Any news on the aerostats?
i heard that typhoon is pampered and 2nd place after jsf in operating cost..
with small budget and high tempo operation,better we choose jas gripen..they offer cheap prices and additional package include Mpa n Aew..its good offers..what makes our fighters powerful its avionic..we could choose what we want to install....
single engine its not a problem..US fleet also might to jsf in future... i hope that najib n hisamudin read my commment.. tq
Marhalim,
Did you read the sdsr 2015 documents?
I even watched the presentation in the British parliament live on Monday.
So sorry to break your enthusiasm. The sdsr 2015 has seen a lot of increases in the raf fleet. Those tranche 1 typhoons are to be used as QRA ready aircraft to equip extra 2 squadrons in RAF. No additional new typhoons for raf, as they has just reaffirmed their commitment of 138 f-35 fighters. So there is no way that we could get an instant lease of tranche 1 typhoons from the raf.
Reply
Yes I did. I spoke to the guy who will approved the deal, if the deal goes through and he literally said "on Day One."
Theat package offer is meaningless if there is no price attached to it.
Do realise that for Oman, a package of 12 typhoons and 8 hawk ajt cost them usd 4 billion. To understand how freaking expensive that is, you could get 10 gowind sgpv frigate, or 80 (yes 80, not a typo) su-30mkm with that money. So the next question is, are we so flash to burn that much money for so few aircraft?
And why do you want a super expensive and poor performing hawk ajt nowadays when better and cheaper alternatives are available? (hint, look at what singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines are buying, and it isn't the hawk)
Reply
Wait for the next MRCA installment...
And why do you want a super expensive and poor performing (as a fighter as well as a trainer, no radar, weak airframe, and non supersonic) hawk ajt nowadays when better and cheaper alternatives are available? (hint, look at what singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines are buying, and it isn't the hawk)
@ izzudin al-hashim,
Nak beli 40 biji typhoon guna apa? Duit monopoli ka? Atau hang nak derma?
One of the reasons to go European could be the Meteor BVRAAM. Is it really that much better compared to the AIM-120/AMRAAM?
Reply
In theory yes
Pushing aside its sketchy performance record, just the purchasing and operating cost of the Typhoon alone make it the worst choice for Malaysia, imho. I'm not against RMAF's likely top choice, the Typhoon but from a financial standpoint, at USD140 million a pop, Malaysia simply cannot afford it, at least for any meaningful time span into the future and I believe most Malaysian will be against more GST/tax increase or cut in public/infrastructure spending to fund the military... Plus in who is the intended "enemy" of the Typhoon anyway?