Malaysia To Spend RM 3.8 Billion On Indian Fighter Jets
Indian and Turkish aircraft manufacturers are the leading candidates for the latest Malaysian contract.
The government may be struggling to spend money on other things but money can always be found for purchase of essential military hardware.
It has been reported that Malaysia is considering buying fighter jets from India which took over 35 years to develop since 1983 but has come out as the best in the World in light weight category. Even the Western Countries are unable to match it, either in performance or price.
According to Business Standard, India will be going all out to secure an order from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Accordingly, RMAF is looking to buy a mix of 36 light fighter variants under its ‘Capability 55’ plan which was hatched in 2018.
Under the plan, Malaysia will spend on a mix of light combat aircraft (LCA) and fighter lead-in trainers (FLIT).
Malaysia intends to purchase 18 aircraft to be supplied from 2022-23 and another 18 from 2025 onwards.
The nation is seeking a replacement for the RMAF’s BAE Systems Hawk 108 and Hawk 208.
According to Times Aerospace, two aircraft manufacturers are reported to be in the frontline to bag the deal – India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
The potential deal with India is said to include the ‘Tejas’ LCA for US$50 million (RM210 million) apiece, with a total of US$900 million (RM3.8 billion).
The Tejas is only the second “Made-in-India” jet fighter. It currently has three production models – Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A and trainer variant.
In spite of denial of technologies, especially due to the sanctions imposed after India barged into the Nuclear Weapons club, India over a period of 35 years has finally come on top. The Indian aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aerospace Limited (HAL) have developed the Tejas a formidable 4th generation +++ light fighter jet.
The first of the naval variant of the non-stealth fourth-generation fighters has also been developed and it successfully completed its deck landing and take off from INS VIKRAMADITYA.
However being too light,only a few may be manufactured for training purposes. ADA in collaboration with the Indian Navy and HAL are already working on the next naval version of Tejas which will be the main fighter to operate from even the third aircraft of the Indian Navy.
The IAF already has two operational squadron of 40x Tejas MK1 jets and is supremely happy with its performance. All the missiles including BVR have been fully integrated and the endurance / radius of action / range even on internal fuel tanks is impressive. It’s electronic warfare capabilities have become formidable. Tejas can easily swat away the JF 17 or outclass the American F16.
IAF has also placed orders for four more Squadrons of 83x Tejas MK1A fighters which is more than 1.5 times better than the existing Mk1 version. Induction of these fighters should be commencing from 2024 onwards. Also the first of the Tejas MK2 verging into medium category fighter jet is likely to take to the skies in 2023 with series production starting by 2025.
So Malaysia to consider the Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 looks very remote.
Both India and Malaysia have similar operational needs and weapon types with both countries using Russian and NATO systems.
India reportedly offers a good deal to Malaysia with the latest version Mk1A which features modern AESA radar, new avionics and the ability to add on various weapon systems.
