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The Great Escape?

PETALING JAYA: Several years back when Lima was held in November (mostly due to the fasting month most of the flight days were either rained out or downgraded due to low clouds. This year’s Lima is being held in December – 6 to 8 which traditionally for Langkawi is a good time for air shows.

But 2011 is different however. With Thailand still underwater and with Malaysian Meteorological Department (warning slow to upload) warning of heavy rains and floods, one has to wonder whether brollies should be the order of the day.

With some 54 planes taking part including Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and RTAF Gripens taking part (apart from a sizable RMAF contingent together with RSAF) I have the feeling that this year’s event will be a wash-out, and I am not just talking about the weather!

The word is no Major contract will be signed during Lima. MOUs a plenty, spare parts deals and leasing might be in the works but apparently no SGPV/LCS or what I called frigate contract.

— Malaysian Defence

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Marhalim Abas: Shah Alam

View Comments (21)

  • LIMA is just too close to the Singapore Air Show (14-19 February 2012). And with most defence companies cutting back on their participation in defence-related shows, it is likely that many will skip the 'minor' events and put their time and money into the larger events. Some are even skipping the premier events. Northrop Grumman, one of the top 5 US defence contractors, announced last month that they will be skipping Farnborough 2012.

    Reply
    One does need to think about the Sing show. DSA is just five months away! but Bae Systems, Dassault, DCNS and the other companies involved in selling to Malaysia will have attend Lima albeit with smaller budget

  • I will be participating this years LIMA, so hopefully it will not flood... Expecting some rain, but not flood....

    Hope to have change to meet you Halim.. :)

  • Also forgot to mention the Dubai show going on now. LIMA is being overshadowed.

    In other news...

    Austria To Sell, Scrap Two-Thirds of Its Tanks

    "Further models, such as the more modern Leopard tanks, will be put up for sale"

    http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8348194&c=EUR&s=LAN

    IMO, we should put in a bid for as many of the 114 ex-Dutch Leopard 2s currently in the Austrian inventory that they are willing to sell. According to SIPRI, the Austrians bought them in 1996 (delivery 1997-1998) for $236 million. Also according to SIPRI, the Dutch manufactured their Leopard 2s from 1981-1986. Factoring in 15 years of Austrian use, even with upgrades, etc., we should be able to get a good deal. That is if Singapore doesn't make the deal first!

    Reply
    They won't go for the tanks, they are already spending too much on the AV8.
    What we missed was the Foudre LSD that the French sold to Chile.

  • We should go AEW system, more figther and training aircraft, attack and heavy lift helicopter, heavy frigates and LSD or LHD, ASW helicopter, MPA aircraft, Medium range air defence system, SP track or wheel 155mm gun.

    Reply
    Show me the money!

  • Dont simply spend the rare commodity-money. With China rising and the aggressive posture of both the Chinese and also at least one of our neighbour, we should immediately upgrade the weapon system of the 6 NGPV with all those weapons which they have built for but not with. With these 6 vessels bristling with arms it can be deployed to at least show our flag more effectively in the South China Sea if not be a deterrent. This si the most cost effective solution and it takes care of an immediate need. The second hand tanks can follow latter.

  • FareedLHS - ''IMO, we should put in a bid for as many of the 114 ex-Dutch Leopard 2s currently in the Austrian inventory that they are willing to sell. ''

    We should have bought surplus Leopards 2s from the start instead of the PT-91M, but it's now water under the bridge. Introducing a 2nd MBT into service will only create a bigger logistical/support footprint. What we should be looking at in the near future is an upgrade for the PT-91M - thermal for the commander, applique armour, OWS, etc.

  • No money meh ,Halim-san? :lol:

    If u look at the media reports on Azerbajian, very interesting.

    In the area of defence they did it like Spore.
    Started small,making sure they supplied all the basics their military needed, and now venturing into more sophisticated weapon ranges.

    Impressive. Wonder if we have any ties with them.

    And wonder if any of our geniuses at Mindef might ..............

    Reply
    Yes start small and dont think about export at all. If its good enough everyone will come running for its. For the Azerbijans, its better to left them alone or if we want buy it straight from them. If we really want to be involved its better for us to fund their plants in Azerbijan. We tend to muck things up if we start thinking too much...

  • fadiman76 - ''We should go AEW system, more fighter and training aircraft, attack and heavy lift helicopter, heavy frigates and LSD or LHD, ASW helicopter, MPA aircraft, Medium range air defence system, SP track or wheel 155mm gun.''

    Fadiman, what we actually need, what we get and what we want to get, are 3 very different issues.

    Out of all the items you listed, it is my firm believe that additional Cougars should come first, for the very simple reason that it is Cougars that we are more likely to use on day to day ops.

  • Understand that the Dutch are getting rid of all their Leopard 2's so you don't have to go to Austria to buy some good maintained second hand Leopards

    Reply
    Everyone in Europe is trying to get rid of their weapons. The problem are (1) we do not have the money (2) we made bad choices before (as Azlan had said) and we do not like 2nd hand stuff