Malaysia is indeed evaluating the T-90s, but from what's
reported, no decision was made yet. However, they are known to have
ordered the " Metis-2 anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW)systems from
Russia.
There are few articles which describe Malaysia's interest in T-90s
& other weapons. The first 2 articles below are from the New
Straits Times (Malaysia's English newspaper). The 3rd one is from
an August edition of Jane's Defence Weekly. Not sure if u all like
to read articles, but it's a best way to clarified rumours.
=======================
The New Straits Times - "Latest Russian military marvels on parade"
(Dated 9th October 2001):
RUSSIA, which has already supplied some modern hardware to the
Malaysian armed forces, is confident of securing additional
contracts and increasing co-operation in maintenance and spare
parts production through joint ventures.
Andrey Beliyaninov, the director-general of Rosoboronexport State
Corporation - the corporation representing Russian defence
companies, said 30 Russian companies that produce over 300 prodcuts
are participating in Lima '01.
"We view participation in Lima as an important step in
strengthening the Russian-Malaysian co-operation in the defence and
technology sphere."
Co-operation between the two countries began in 1994 when Malaysia
signed a contract to purchase the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft
and related equipment.
"Today, all provisions of the contract have been successfully
implemented and Malaysian pilots have appreciated the high
performance and quality of the Russian MiG fighters," he said. The
purchase also resulted in the setting up of a joint venture company
here in 1995 to maintain and upgrade the Malaysian MiG-29N.
The initial collaboration also resulted in the signing of an Inter-
governmental Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in
defence, defence technologies and defence industry in April 1999.
"The MoU, which resulted in the setting up of an inter-
governmental joint commission, is a milestone for
military-technical co-operation between two countries.
"This year, Malaysia also signed a contract to purchase the Metis
ATGM (anti-tank guided missile) systems, which is superior by far
to many similar foreign systems."
Beliyaninov said Russia is ready to not only to supply the system
to the Malaysian armed forces, but also to organise its joint or
licensed production. "We would like the successful experience of
our co-operation to become the basis for selection of the main
battle tank for the Malaysian armed forces."
The T-90S tank passed technical test and trials in Malaysia last
year.
Beliyaninov said one promising area of co-operation was in
upgrading of air force equipment. He said a Malaysian team gave
high evaluation of the Russian Su- 30MK Flanker fighter aircraft
during a demonstration flight at the MAKS2001 International
Aerospace Salon last August near Moscow. "We hope that such high
evaluation of the Russian multi-purpose fighter will be another
point in its favour. It should be pointed out that the supply of
aircraft can be made under the same terms as those of MiG-29 ...
the sales may be accompanied by partial counter purchases and we
are offering a wide range of offset programmes."
He said Rosoboronexport was also ready to upgrade Malaysia's
MiG-29N into multi-mode fighters that will enable them to use a
whole range of the weapon systems, including precision weaponry,
around the clock.
"This will allow the fighters to carry out the whole spectrum of
missions to destroy the air and ground targets irrespective of the
time of the day and weather conditions.
"We have a lot to offer our partners for the navy - our Mangust,
Mirage, Merkury and Yastreb Russian patrol boats, Svetlyak guard
boat, Molniya missile boat, Chilim, Rys, Irbis, Murena and Zubr
hovercraft, Projects 636, Amur 950 and Amur 1650 submarines are
known worldwide."
He said Rosoboronexport exports policy was not just to sell state-
of- the-art and reliable weapons, but also ensuring their long-term
and effective operation.
"To this end, we are ready to perform complex deliveries of the
weapon systems, warranty and post-warranty servicing, extension of
the service life and enhancing their combat capabilities by upgrade
programs."
"I am quite confident that the Russian-Malaysian co-operation,
including co-operation in the military-technical field, has
promising future," he concluded.
Caption: Much sought after fighter ... The Sukhoi SU 30MK Flanker
jet fighter which is far superior to the MiG 29N Fulcrums now
operated by the RMAF.; Top tank ... The T 90S undergoing trials.
The Malaysian army is keen to buy main battle tanks and among the
candidates is the T 90.; Safeguarding territorial integrity ... One
of Russia's patrol boats which Malaysia will find useful in
patroling its exclusive economic zone.
========================================
The New Straits Times - "Defence chief: No decision on anti-tank
missiles yet" (Dated 7th October 2001):
KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - The Malaysian Armed Forces is still studying a
number of offers to supply it with anti-tank missile systems, its
chief Jen Tan Sri Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin said today. He said no
decision has been made.
"We have not signed any agreement ... we are still looking into
offers received including from the United States, France, United
Kingdom and Germany," he said after hosting breakfast for armed
forces widows and children at his official residence today.
Zahidi was commenting on a foreign report yesterday quoting a
spokesman for Russia's arms trader Rosoboronexport as saying that
Russia will export its anti-tank missile systems to Malaysia under
the terms of a recent deal.
The report also said Russia was expected to launch a joint or
licensed production in the country. It also said that last year,
Malaysia held field tests for Russia's state-of-the-art T-90S
battle tank.
Zahidi said the purchase of anti-tank missile systems was in the
Eighth Malaysia Plan as part of the process of modernising the
armed forces.
On another development, he said the Armed Forces would be
installing more effective security equipment to guard Wisma
Pertahanan which houses the Defence Ministry. He said the Army did
not want to take any chances.
==========================================
Jane's Defence Weekly - "Malaysia orders Russian anti-tank
missiles" (from one of the August 2001 edition):
Malaysia has placed an order for an undisclosed quantity of Metis-2
anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) systems following a regular meeting
of the joint Russian-Malaysian inter-governmental commission on
economic co-operation, according to Jane's Defence Weekly sources
in Moscow.
The Metis-2 is the latest version of the system that was originally
developed to meet the requirements of the Soviet Army by the KBP
Instrument Design Bureau. The first version, which entered service
in 1979, was the 9K115 Metis (NATO: AT-7 'Saxhorn') with the 9M115
missile which had a maximum range of 1,000m and was fitted with a
single high -explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.
This was followed by the 9K115-2 Metis-2, which has the 9M131
missile with an increased range of 1,500m and an option to fit two
different types of warhead. The first option is for a tandem HEAT
warhead to defeat targets fitted with explosive reactive armour;
the second option enables the missile to be fitted with a
thermobaric (or fuel air explosive) type warhead. A clip-on thermal
sight is also available.
The lightweight Metis system, which can be launched from a tripod
or from within a confined area, seems well-suited to the Malaysian
Army. One person can carry the launcher and one missile with
another person carrying additional missiles. A number of Western
contractors are also understood to have been bidding for this
contract, which is the latest in a growing number of defence deals
between Malaysia and Russia. The largest contract to date is the
1996 purchase of 18 MiG-29 ('Fulcrum') fighter aircraft and their
associated air-to-air missiles. Russian sources also said Malaysia
is interested in acquiring manportable surface-to-air missiles,
T-90S main battle tanks, BMP series infantry combat vehicles and
BTR-70 series 8 x 8 armoured personnel carriers.
Malaysia does not operate MBTs and has a longstanding initial
requirement for 78 systems for which the T-90 is one of several
contenders. The T-90S was shown in Malaysia last year but the 125mm
smoothbore gun was not fired because of range limitations. It is
expected that a Malaysian delegation will now attend demonstrations
in Russia.
