BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Malaysia is considering glass cockpit upgrades for its RSKMiG-29 fighters and just-acquired ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Aermacchi MB339CB trainers.
The upgrades would improve the commonality of the Royal Malaysia Air Force's diverse fleet, allowing easier transition between aircraft. New Western avionics for the MiG-29 could resemble the Thales suite selected for Malaysia's new Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters.
However, potential suppliers do not expect MiG-29 or MB339 upgrades to be included in Malaysia's large defence shopping list for 2003.
Industry officials believe Malaysia may already be buying more than it can afford and a reshuffling of priorities is expected once a new prime minister takes office at the end of the year.
Besides buying 18 Su-30s, Malaysia is negotiating to buy 10 Mil Mi-171/172s, 10 Agusta-Westland A109s and Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets. Industry officials believe these deals will be completed by October and will therefore survive the administration change. It is less likely, however, that a letter of intent for airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft will be signed before prime minister Mahatir Mohamad leaves office.
Malaysia has tentatively selected the Ericsson Erieye radar and is evaluating the Embraer ERJ-145 and Saab 2000 as potential platforms. But the AEW and several other potential programmes, including the cockpit upgrades, are not included in the country's defence spending plan.
BAE Systems is pitching a glass cockpit package for Malaysia's 18 MiG-29s. Thales believes it can offer a better solution because it has been selected as avionics supplier for Malaysia's Su-30s. Malaysia's Airod and Aerospace Technology System (ATSC) are expected to help integrate and install any new MiG-29 avionics.
Aermacchi is offering a full glass cockpit for the 17 MB339s being acquired from New Zealand. But industry sources say this upgrade is too expensive and handing Airod a smaller modification programme is a more likely option.
Source: Flight International
