Malaysia Aims to Upgrade Air Force With New Fighters, AEW Aircraft

Malaysia has tended to buy military equipment from Russia and Europe. This is partly because the country’s prime minister for nearly 23 years was Mahathir Mohamad, a staunch critic of US foreign policy. But Mahathir left politics in 2003, and the current prime minister, Najib Razak, is seen to be much more open to the USA. His government, for example, has been trying to reach a free trade agreement with the Americans.

President Barack Obama has also been making a concerted effort to engage Malaysia and other Muslim nations. But despite the USA’s overtures, the Europeans and Russians may continue their strong track record. Russia in particular has close political ties. Najib’s father Abdul Razak was Malaysia’s prime minister in the 1970s, and during his time in office, Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2003 visited Malaysia and that year signed a deal to sell 18 Su-30MKM fighters. All of these have since been delivered.

Najib was Malaysia’s defence minister at the time and helped negotiate the Sukhoi deal. As for the current competition, Russia’s defence export agency Rosoboronexport has always said publicly it will offer the Su-30.

Malaysia is seeking enough fighters for one to two squadrons. If it is two squadrons, this would bring the total to 36-40 fighter aircraft. As well as the Su-30, other fighters Malaysia is considering include the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saab Gripen.

Malaysia already has eight F/A-18Ds, which puts Boeing in a strong position. It could be argued that Malaysia needs to phase out its older fighters, such as its Northrop F-5s, and simplify its fleet, with the costs involved in maintaining the aircraft also a major consideration.