The Malaysian newspaper, The Star had reported that the
‘Malaysian Parliament was informed of plans to phase out the 18
units of MIG-29s by end-2010, even as these planes were purchased
in 1993’ (*1)
With the phasing out of the chronic MIG-29s, it will result
in a depleted ‘RMAF
List of Aircraft Types’ (*2) - that will have a combat
fleet of only 8 units F-18 Hornets and 18 units of SU-30s.
Will the FPDA be left with a gap in the air defense of the
Malaysian-Singapore air space that require the RMAF to guard the
northern sector ?
With the high cost in maintaining the MIG-29s, one will wonder
if the SU-30s require a similar sized budget to keep the planes
flying.
It is interesting to note the comments reported that new
aircraft types from the US, France, Sweden or Britain will be
considered - and much will depend on the state of the
Malaysian economy.
From the experience gained, it will be a surprise if further
Russian planes are to be considered.
Published: Wednesday October 28, 2009 MYT 2:51:00
PM
Parliament: MiG-29s to be phased out by
end-2010
By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN and LOH FOON
FONG
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) MiG-29 fighter jets will
be gradually phased out and replaced by new interceptor aircraft by
Dec 31 2010 due to rising operational and maintenance costs,
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said replacement aircraft was needed due to
increasing maintenence costs and that the MiG-29s were nearing
their lifespan limit of 10 years. Two such aircraft had also
crashed in 1998 and 2005.
Zahid said only 10 MiG-29s will be used for airspace
defence and this will be reduced to six aircraft until December
next year.
“The Government will save RM260mil per year in
maintenance costs and these savings will be used to maintain other
types of aircraft in the RMAF inventory,” he told Datuk Abd Rahman
Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud).
Abd Rahman also asked why Malaysia had bought the
MiG-29s.
“Malaysia bought the MiG-29s at a relatively low
price, but later on the RMAF had to contend with higher expenses in
spare parts replacement and maintenence work,” he added.
Zahid replied that when Malaysia bought 18 MiG-29
aircraft in 1993, the jet was considered the most capable and
versatile fighter aircraft that could be obtained at the
time.
He also said that each MiG-29 needed to undergo
preventive and restoration work which cost RM10mil and RM7mil for
engine overhaul every year after it completes a flight time of
between 1,000 hours and 4,000 hours.
“The MiG-29s will be replaced by 18 Russian-made
Sukhoi SU30MKM fighter jets which the Government had just
acquired,” he added.
Later, at the Parliament lobby, Zahid the cost to
maintain the MiGs was too high because the jets also needed to be
sent to Russia for overhaul work.
Zahid said many countries have also moved towards
obtaining fighter jets with multi-role combat
capabilities.
“We are assessing whether to get the new jets from
the United States, France, Sweden or Britain. The purchase will
also depend on the country’s economic recovery,” he
added.