The Royal Malaysian Air Force faces an uncertain future for its capability development plans, given the government’s budgetary limitations, constrained by slow economic growth and falling oil revenues.
It is difficult to predict the future of the RMAF’s major procurements, as the Malaysian government maintains an open-ended flexibility to fill requirements. The annual defence budget allocation for procurement is actually not for acquiring major defence equipment. In reality, it funds progressive payments for equipment already purchased.
At first look, the MYR462 million ($104 million) allocated to the RMAF for procurement under the 2017 defence budget would seem to be a significant cut from 2016’s figure of RM702 million. But it is important to note that a large portion of the 2016 allocation was for the five Pilatus PC-7 Mark IIs and two Airbus Defence & Space A400Ms delivered last year. With the last A400M coming in 2017, and no other aircraft expected to join the RMAF fleet, the reduced funding is not unexpected.
Nonetheless, it is likely Kuala Lumpur will lack sufficient funding for any major RMAF purchases in the short term. Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein has pointed out several times that the ministry faces budgetary limitations. The previous RMAF chief, Gen Tan Sri Roslan Saad, who retired at the end of 2016, also said the RMAF must be mindful of the government’s fiscal situation when planning for the future.
Funding constraints are apparent in the lack of progress in key military aviation programmes that were supposedly of high priority, namely in the aftermath of two national crises. The first was the March 2013 Sulu Incursion on Borneo, prompting Kuala Lumpur to express a need to urgently acquire maritime surveillance aircraft to detect any incursion from the sea. No formal programme or funding allocation subsequently materialized, however.
Similarly, after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in March 2014, the Malaysian government said it would upgrade the RMAF’s ground-based radar surveillance capability, as well as add more maritime surveillance aircraft. Yet again, no formal funding or programme emerged.
But the prime example of Kuala Lumpur’s apparent lack of financial muscle when it comes to RMAF requirements is that for a multirole combat aircraft, intended to replace the country’s MiG-29s. This requirement dates back to 2010 and has outlasted the tenure of two previous RMAF chiefs, Gen Rodzali Daud (2009-2014) and Gen Roslan Saad (2014-2016).
Defence minister Hishammuddin told media in January that a decision on the MRCA will be made before 2020, but cautioned that any deal will be contingent upon Malaysia’s economy. In October 2016, he is reported to have said that the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon had been shortlisted, while the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Saab Gripen had been ruled out.
The A400M has added muscle to Malaysia's transport fleet
Airbus
Despite these statements, Boeing and Saab have continued to market their jets to Kuala Lumpur. Saab is now also offering the Gripen E, which will be ready by 2020, with the option to lease Gripen C/Ds in the interim period.
Malaysian company Aerospace Technology Systems has also offered a MiG-29 upgrade plan, but industry sources say the RMAF prefers new-build aircraft. Meanwhile, the service continues to fly its remaining MiG-29s – estimated at six aircraft – in a reduced operational capacity.
The RMAF’s other fighters, 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs and 8 F/A-18 Hornets, operate as normal. The limited number of airframes, however, poses challenges regarding airspace patrolling and exercises, as does the fact that the country is split into two distinct geographic halves, Peninsular and East Malaysia. This requires the RMAF to rotate fighter detachments in and out of East Malaysia.
The permanent redeployment from RMAF Kuantan in Peninsular Malaysia to RMAF Labuan on Labuan Island, in East Malaysia, of the RMAF’s No 6 Sqn – comprising BAE Systems Hawk 208s – has reduced the need for fighter rotations.
Adding to the RMAF’s problems in 2016 was the loss of four aircraft types in four separate incidents: an Airtech CN235-225M transport, an Aermacchi MB-399 trainer, a Beechcraft King Air 200T turboprop in maritime patrol configuration and a Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri transport helicopter (see below).
Of the four losses, the MB-339CM and the King Air had the most impact on. The small MB-339CM fleet was already inadequate for the service’s training needs, but the RMAF could only afford eight aircraft. Even then, it was only able to acquire the aircraft by removing the engines from its MB-339A aircraft, refurbishing them, and installing them into the CM airframes. An option for an additional four aircraft was never exercised.
The RMAF also has six Hawk 108s for lead-in fighter training, but the small fleet size is insufficient to produce fighter pilots in suitable numbers. So far the RMAF has not issued any requirement for new lead-in fighter trainers. It will instead wait for the MRCA purchase to materialise before going for a new advanced jet trainer. BAE has offered Hawk T2s as part of the MRCA package, should Malaysia select the Typhoon.
Similarly, the King Air loss will strain the remaining aircraft, whose original numbers were never adequate for a country of Malaysia’s size. The RMAF has not said whether the lost aircraft will be replaced.
Still, reports periodically emerge that the RMAF could acquire new-build CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from Indonesian Aerospace (PTDI), or convert some of its existing CN-235s to an MPA version. Northrop Grumman has marketed its E-2D Hawkeye and Saab its Erieye platform, with both claiming their type can fulfil the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and MPA missions. Saab, however, changed gear and switched to marketing the Swordfish system for the MPA role. Still, there is little apparent commitment from Malaysia because of funding difficulties.
The US navy has sent Boeing P-8 Poseidon MPAs to Malaysia on a number of occasions, but US officials stress that the visits are co-operative in nature, aimed at assisting Malaysia in the area of maritime domain awareness rather than to promote the P-8 platform. Another option appears to be the equipping two former Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical transports with new roll-on, roll-off maritime surveillance equipment. But, again, nothing concrete has emerged.
The loss of the CN-235 and Nuri helicopter, while tragic, are of less concern, particularly with the RMAF still having a number of Nuris in service and all 12 of its brand-new Airbus Helicopters H225Ms operating normally.
The CN-235 was the VIP transport, but the RMAF’s tactical transport capabilities are more than adequate with its existing fleet of C-130s and the new A400Ms, three out of four of which have already entered service. Malaysia’s first A400M is currently back in Seville to be upgraded to the tactical configuration, while the remaining two are scheduled to visit Seville for similar work. The fourth aircraft will arrive before the middle of 2017, fully outfitted in the tactical configuration.
Upgrades
Three RMAF upgrade programmes are expected to be formalised in the short term. These will cover the RMAF’s C-130s, S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters and the BAE Hawk fleet. The C-130 upgrade programme is to involve the installation of glass cockpits and avionics that will allow it to meet requirements for operating in international civil airspace. Malaysian company AIROD will do the work, having been awarded a letter of intent in 2014, though it remains to be seen which foreign company will partner with it.
AIROD was given a letter of instruction by the Malaysian government in April 2016 for the proof of concept for the avionics upgrade for the S-61 Nuri helicopter. Partners have yet to be declared, but it is notable that in October 2016, US company Universal Electronics issued a press release stating that it and Heli-One of Canada would perform cockpit upgrades on a fleet of Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters for an Asian operator.
It added that the two companies would conduct the design and installation for the initial aircraft with an Asian MRO organisation performing the upgrades for the rest of fleet. The press release did not specify a country, but only Malaysia uses the Nuri name for the S-61A-4.
A C-130H transport, pictured at LIMA show in 2015
AirTeamImages
The Nuri upgrade is to include four EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays and a single UNS-1Lw Multi-Missions Management System. The displays and MMMS will integrate with new dual LCR-100 Attitude Heading Reference System sensors, dual Thommen AC-32 air data computers, dual Rockwell Collins NAV-4000s, a DF-938 direction finder, a single DME-4000 and a new EuroAvionics EuroNav 7 mission computer. In addition, a new RDR-1600 search radar is being fitted and will be displayed on the EFI-890H multifunction displays. The displays are night vision goggle-compatible and can be integrated with the existing AN/APN-209 radar altimeters and GE SN-502 autopilot. The proof-of-concept helicopter is expected to be displayed at the LIMA show, where the upgrade contract could be formalised.
AIROD is also likely to carry out the Hawk upgrade. The company signed an MOU with BAE Systems on 20 April 2016 covering the upgrade of the RMAF’s Hawk fleet, though the RMAF has yet to officially announce which Malaysian company will do the work. There are few details about the upgrade, except that the Hawks will be equipped “with the latest technology and ensure the aircraft will meet all future operational requirements”. More clarity could emerge when the RMAF decides what exactly it wants the upgrade to cover.
Overall, the RMAF still faces considerable challenges regarding its fighter and lead-in trainer fleets, and maintains an ongoing gap in AEW&C and MPA capability. Financial constraints will ensure that these shortcomings are not resolved any time soon.
2016: four Malaysian air force crashes
26 February: An Airtech CN-235-220M (serial number M44-07), belonging to No 1 Squadron and flying out of RMAF Subang for fly-past practice, made an emergency landing off the coast of Kuala Selangor. The eight crew evacuated successfully, although the co-pilot broke his arm in the landing and a subsequent fire gutted much of the aircraft. Malaysia purchased eight CN-235-220Ms in 1999 from Indonesia with six configured as standard transports and two in VIP configuration. The crashed aircraft was one of the two VIP aircraft. No.1 Squadron, to which all the CN-235s belong, is based at RMAF Labuan in East Malaysia but a detachment operates out of RMAF Subang for missions in Peninsular Malaysia.
17 May: An Aermacchi MB-339CM lead-in fighter trainer (serial number M34-20) of 3 Flight Training Center (3 FTC) crashed into a paddy field near the town of Pekan, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia while conducting flight training. Both the pilot and instructor successfully ejected. An RMAF statement cited technical difficulties. Malaysia ordered eight MB-339CMs, which were delivered in 2009-2010, having previously operated 13 MB-339AMs in the ground attack role. The MB-339CMs are all assigned to 3 FTC, whose role is to provide lead-in fighter training.
4 October: A Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopter (serial number M23-33) belonging to No 7 Squadron and on a routine training flight conducted an emergency landing in a school near the town of Tawau. The helicopter grazed the rooftop of the school block and plunged through a shelter roof, injuring all 14 personnel on board along with five pupils at the school. The helicopter was badly damaged in the incident and written off. The loss left the RMAF with 21 Nuris, with Army air corps operating another four that had been transferred from the RMAF. An additional six of the 21 Nuris currently in service with the RMAF are to be transferred to the Army.
21 December – a Beechcraft King Air 200T (serial number M41-03) belonging to No 16 Squadron and flying out of RMAF Subang on a training mission crashed at RMAF Butterworth, killing the pilot and injuring three other personnel onboard. The loss of the aircraft left the RMAF with just three of the type, all of which are outfitted for maritime patrols.
It is difficult to predict the future of the RMAF’s major procurements, as the Malaysian government maintains an open-ended flexibility to fill requirements. The annual defence budget allocation for procurement is actually not for acquiring major defence equipment. In reality, it funds progressive payments for equipment already purchased.
At first look, the MYR462 million ($104 million) allocated to the RMAF for procurement under the 2017 defence budget would seem to be a significant cut from 2016’s figure of RM702 million. But it is important to note that a large portion of the 2016 allocation was for the five Pilatus PC-7 Mark IIs and two Airbus Defence & Space A400Ms delivered last year. With the last A400M coming in 2017, and no other aircraft expected to join the RMAF fleet, the reduced funding is not unexpected.
Nonetheless, it is likely Kuala Lumpur will lack sufficient funding for any major RMAF purchases in the short term. Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein has pointed out several times that the ministry faces budgetary limitations. The previous RMAF chief, Gen Tan Sri Roslan Saad, who retired at the end of 2016, also said the RMAF must be mindful of the government’s fiscal situation when planning for the future.
Funding constraints are apparent in the lack of progress in key military aviation programmes that were supposedly of high priority, namely in the aftermath of two national crises. The first was the March 2013 Sulu Incursion on Borneo, prompting Kuala Lumpur to express a need to urgently acquire maritime surveillance aircraft to detect any incursion from the sea. No formal programme or funding allocation subsequently materialized, however.
Similarly, after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in March 2014, the Malaysian government said it would upgrade the RMAF’s ground-based radar surveillance capability, as well as add more maritime surveillance aircraft. Yet again, no formal funding or programme emerged.
But the prime example of Kuala Lumpur’s apparent lack of financial muscle when it comes to RMAF requirements is that for a multirole combat aircraft, intended to replace the country’s MiG-29s. This requirement dates back to 2010 and has outlasted the tenure of two previous RMAF chiefs, Gen Rodzali Daud (2009-2014) and Gen Roslan Saad (2014-2016).
Defence minister Hishammuddin told media in January that a decision on the MRCA will be made before 2020, but cautioned that any deal will be contingent upon Malaysia’s economy. In October 2016, he is reported to have said that the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon had been shortlisted, while the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Saab Gripen had been ruled out.
Despite these statements, Boeing and Saab have continued to market their jets to Kuala Lumpur. Saab is now also offering the Gripen E, which will be ready by 2020, with the option to lease Gripen C/Ds in the interim period.
Malaysian company Aerospace Technology Systems has also offered a MiG-29 upgrade plan, but industry sources say the RMAF prefers new-build aircraft. Meanwhile, the service continues to fly its remaining MiG-29s – estimated at six aircraft – in a reduced operational capacity.
The RMAF’s other fighters, 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs and 8 F/A-18 Hornets, operate as normal. The limited number of airframes, however, poses challenges regarding airspace patrolling and exercises, as does the fact that the country is split into two distinct geographic halves, Peninsular and East Malaysia. This requires the RMAF to rotate fighter detachments in and out of East Malaysia.
The permanent redeployment from RMAF Kuantan in Peninsular Malaysia to RMAF Labuan on Labuan Island, in East Malaysia, of the RMAF’s No 6 Sqn – comprising BAE Systems Hawk 208s – has reduced the need for fighter rotations.
Adding to the RMAF’s problems in 2016 was the loss of four aircraft types in four separate incidents: an Airtech CN235-225M transport, an Aermacchi MB-399 trainer, a Beechcraft King Air 200T turboprop in maritime patrol configuration and a Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri transport helicopter (see below).
Of the four losses, the MB-339CM and the King Air had the most impact on. The small MB-339CM fleet was already inadequate for the service’s training needs, but the RMAF could only afford eight aircraft. Even then, it was only able to acquire the aircraft by removing the engines from its MB-339A aircraft, refurbishing them, and installing them into the CM airframes. An option for an additional four aircraft was never exercised.
The RMAF also has six Hawk 108s for lead-in fighter training, but the small fleet size is insufficient to produce fighter pilots in suitable numbers. So far the RMAF has not issued any requirement for new lead-in fighter trainers. It will instead wait for the MRCA purchase to materialise before going for a new advanced jet trainer. BAE has offered Hawk T2s as part of the MRCA package, should Malaysia select the Typhoon.
Similarly, the King Air loss will strain the remaining aircraft, whose original numbers were never adequate for a country of Malaysia’s size. The RMAF has not said whether the lost aircraft will be replaced.
Still, reports periodically emerge that the RMAF could acquire new-build CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from Indonesian Aerospace (PTDI), or convert some of its existing CN-235s to an MPA version. Northrop Grumman has marketed its E-2D Hawkeye and Saab its Erieye platform, with both claiming their type can fulfil the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and MPA missions. Saab, however, changed gear and switched to marketing the Swordfish system for the MPA role. Still, there is little apparent commitment from Malaysia because of funding difficulties.
The US navy has sent Boeing P-8 Poseidon MPAs to Malaysia on a number of occasions, but US officials stress that the visits are co-operative in nature, aimed at assisting Malaysia in the area of maritime domain awareness rather than to promote the P-8 platform. Another option appears to be the equipping two former Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical transports with new roll-on, roll-off maritime surveillance equipment. But, again, nothing concrete has emerged.
The loss of the CN-235 and Nuri helicopter, while tragic, are of less concern, particularly with the RMAF still having a number of Nuris in service and all 12 of its brand-new Airbus Helicopters H225Ms operating normally.
The CN-235 was the VIP transport, but the RMAF’s tactical transport capabilities are more than adequate with its existing fleet of C-130s and the new A400Ms, three out of four of which have already entered service. Malaysia’s first A400M is currently back in Seville to be upgraded to the tactical configuration, while the remaining two are scheduled to visit Seville for similar work. The fourth aircraft will arrive before the middle of 2017, fully outfitted in the tactical configuration.
Upgrades
Three RMAF upgrade programmes are expected to be formalised in the short term. These will cover the RMAF’s C-130s, S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters and the BAE Hawk fleet. The C-130 upgrade programme is to involve the installation of glass cockpits and avionics that will allow it to meet requirements for operating in international civil airspace. Malaysian company AIROD will do the work, having been awarded a letter of intent in 2014, though it remains to be seen which foreign company will partner with it.
AIROD was given a letter of instruction by the Malaysian government in April 2016 for the proof of concept for the avionics upgrade for the S-61 Nuri helicopter. Partners have yet to be declared, but it is notable that in October 2016, US company Universal Electronics issued a press release stating that it and Heli-One of Canada would perform cockpit upgrades on a fleet of Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters for an Asian operator.
It added that the two companies would conduct the design and installation for the initial aircraft with an Asian MRO organisation performing the upgrades for the rest of fleet. The press release did not specify a country, but only Malaysia uses the Nuri name for the S-61A-4.
The Nuri upgrade is to include four EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays and a single UNS-1Lw Multi-Missions Management System. The displays and MMMS will integrate with new dual LCR-100 Attitude Heading Reference System sensors, dual Thommen AC-32 air data computers, dual Rockwell Collins NAV-4000s, a DF-938 direction finder, a single DME-4000 and a new EuroAvionics EuroNav 7 mission computer. In addition, a new RDR-1600 search radar is being fitted and will be displayed on the EFI-890H multifunction displays. The displays are night vision goggle-compatible and can be integrated with the existing AN/APN-209 radar altimeters and GE SN-502 autopilot. The proof-of-concept helicopter is expected to be displayed at the LIMA show, where the upgrade contract could be formalised.
AIROD is also likely to carry out the Hawk upgrade. The company signed an MOU with BAE Systems on 20 April 2016 covering the upgrade of the RMAF’s Hawk fleet, though the RMAF has yet to officially announce which Malaysian company will do the work. There are few details about the upgrade, except that the Hawks will be equipped “with the latest technology and ensure the aircraft will meet all future operational requirements”. More clarity could emerge when the RMAF decides what exactly it wants the upgrade to cover.
Overall, the RMAF still faces considerable challenges regarding its fighter and lead-in trainer fleets, and maintains an ongoing gap in AEW&C and MPA capability. Financial constraints will ensure that these shortcomings are not resolved any time soon.
2016: four Malaysian air force crashes
26 February: An Airtech CN-235-220M (serial number M44-07), belonging to No 1 Squadron and flying out of RMAF Subang for fly-past practice, made an emergency landing off the coast of Kuala Selangor. The eight crew evacuated successfully, although the co-pilot broke his arm in the landing and a subsequent fire gutted much of the aircraft. Malaysia purchased eight CN-235-220Ms in 1999 from Indonesia with six configured as standard transports and two in VIP configuration. The crashed aircraft was one of the two VIP aircraft. No.1 Squadron, to which all the CN-235s belong, is based at RMAF Labuan in East Malaysia but a detachment operates out of RMAF Subang for missions in Peninsular Malaysia.
17 May: An Aermacchi MB-339CM lead-in fighter trainer (serial number M34-20) of 3 Flight Training Center (3 FTC) crashed into a paddy field near the town of Pekan, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia while conducting flight training. Both the pilot and instructor successfully ejected. An RMAF statement cited technical difficulties. Malaysia ordered eight MB-339CMs, which were delivered in 2009-2010, having previously operated 13 MB-339AMs in the ground attack role. The MB-339CMs are all assigned to 3 FTC, whose role is to provide lead-in fighter training.
4 October: A Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopter (serial number M23-33) belonging to No 7 Squadron and on a routine training flight conducted an emergency landing in a school near the town of Tawau. The helicopter grazed the rooftop of the school block and plunged through a shelter roof, injuring all 14 personnel on board along with five pupils at the school. The helicopter was badly damaged in the incident and written off. The loss left the RMAF with 21 Nuris, with Army air corps operating another four that had been transferred from the RMAF. An additional six of the 21 Nuris currently in service with the RMAF are to be transferred to the Army.
21 December – a Beechcraft King Air 200T (serial number M41-03) belonging to No 16 Squadron and flying out of RMAF Subang on a training mission crashed at RMAF Butterworth, killing the pilot and injuring three other personnel onboard. The loss of the aircraft left the RMAF with just three of the type, all of which are outfitted for maritime patrols.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
