MALAYSIA IS planning further major purchases of military equipment in its next five-year plan starting in 1996, says the country's defence minister, Najib Tun Razak.
A list of proposed new programmes is being finalised by the Malaysian defence ministry and Joint Service Planning Committee for submission to the Cabinet for funding approval. The Government is expected to announce in early October its spending plans through to the year 2000.
Significant programmes mentioned by Najib include new strategic-lift transport aircraft, utility and transport helicopters for Malaysia's newly formed army air corps and naval helicopters.
The minister also lists new offshore patrol vessels, submarines, communications equipment and 155mm guns for the army.
The air force has been pressing for more Lockheed C-130s, in addition to the nine in service, to support the country's growing number of overseas United Nations peacekeeping deployments.
The military also has a requirement for heavy-lift helicopters, with the Boeing CH-47D considered to be the favoured candidate
Shipboard helicopters are needed to equip Malaysia's two new frigates, built in Yarrow in the UK. The first is due for delivery in 1996.
Six helicopters are required initially as replacements for the navy's Westland Wasps, with either the Westland Super Lynx or Eurocopter AS.565SA Panther, seen as the most likely choice.
The next five-year defence plan is also widely expected to contain funding for a follow-on purchase of fighter aircraft. Malaysia has already ordered 18 Mikoyan MiG-29s and eight McDonnell Douglas F-18Ds and is thought likely to order more of one type.
The air force's more immediate priority is understood to be the purchase of 12 more single-seat British Aerospace Hawk 200s. The aircraft will supplement 18 Hawk 100s and ten 200s now being delivered to Malaysia. Air force planning also calls for, an attrition buy of more Pilatus PC-7 turboprop trainers.
Other major aerospace programmes being pushed for inclusion in the next five-year plan are an attack helicopter and an airborne early-warning aircraft. The selection of an armed battlefield helicopter is expected to be between the Denel CSH-2 Rooivalk and the McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache.
Malaysia has taken delivery of its first four Mikoyan MiG-29s. The aircraft were delivered in a knocked-down state to Kuantan AB for assembly by Russian technicians from Moscow Aircraft Production. Twelve aircraft are scheduled for delivery in April and May, with the final two due in May.
The 18 aircraft, including a pair of twin-seat MiG-29UBs, will equip two squadrons: 17 Sqn for training and operational conversion and 19 Sqn for air defence.
Source: Flight International
