BRENDAN SOBIE / LANGKAWI
Contract for four aircraft expected in first quarter 2004 following lengthy evaluation
Malaysia is expected to purchase four EMB-145 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft by April, concluding a competition between five potential platforms.
The decision follows several months of evaluation of AEW&C offers from Boeing, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Saab. Industry sources say the EMB-145 has tentatively been selected, with deliveries slated to begin in late 2006.
Rival manufacturers are still lobbying to reverse the selection, claiming it was based on politics rather than merit. All had AEW models prominently featured at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2003 exhibition earlier this month.
SaabTech offered a Saab 2000 with the same Ericsson Erieye radar offered on the EMB-145, Lockheed Martin offered the P-3 AEW&C, using refurbished P-3 airframes and Northrop Grumman the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 AEW&C.
Northrop Grumman is also a subcontractor on Boeing's 737 AEW&C proposal, offered with the Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar. Malaysia is believed never to have seriously considered the 737 AEW&C, however, because of its steep price tag.
Embraer says Malaysia's air force gave the EMB-145 positive reviews after evaluating one of the Brazilian air force's aircraft. "What we're offering them is something affordable, modern and with no risk," it adds.
The Brazilian manufacturer would not confirm a contract was imminent, but industry sources expect one before Malaysian general elections are held in the first quarter of 2004. Embraer is hoping an AEW&C deal could also lead to the sale of a Legacy VIP corporate jet to the air force, giving it an edge in a possible maritime patrol competition (MPA).
Malaysia has been looking at MPA platforms for several years but the programme has been held up by a fight between the air force and navy over which service should operate the new asset. If the air force is given control of MPA, a fleet of common-cockpit AEW, MPA and VIP aircraft could appeal.
Embraer is also offering a partnership with a local aerospace company to satisfy Malaysia's offset requirement.
Source: Flight International
