To Replace or Not to Replace - RMAF Dilemma

The recent loss of 1 RMAF BAe Hawk 108 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (or LIFT) has been pounced upon by some quarters to push the Federal Government to procure new MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) to replace the BAe Hawk 108. They claimed the crash is evidence that the plane is no longer viable and must be replaced.

RMAF BAe Hawk 108
Credit BAe

However, these quarters have overlooked a key information (by saying overlooked, I'm giving the benefit of doubt that they had innocently overlooked the fact instead of doing the bidding of lobbyists).

You Don't Replace Trainer With Fighters

As I have mentioned earlier, the BAe Hawk 108 is a trainer aircraft. It is not a frontline combat aircraft. It is meant to familiarise a trainee pilot to convert into a combat pilot.

Thus, to replace the BAe Hawk 108 with a MRCA, is a laughable mismatched attempt.

To replace the Hawk 108, it must be replaced with a similarly functioned aircraft. RMAF operates 2 types of trainer conversion aircrafts (excluding the Pilatus PC7, which is a basic trainer - note of thanks to AJ for pointing out this should be PC7, not PC9), the Hawk 108 and Italian-made Aermacchi MB-339 (10 AM and 8 CM types). Note of thanks to Akmal Bakri as the 10 units of AM had been retired and 1 unit of Aermacchi MB339CM had been written off due to crash).

Aermacchi MB339 in RMAF colour
Credit Wikipedia common

If the Hawk is to be replaced, RMAF should look into replacing both Hawk and Aermacchi together. This means 24 aircrafts to be replaced.

By replacing both aircrafts with 1 single type aircraft, RMAF will be able to simplify their logistics and ultimately, operational cost. Current structure of having LIFT trainers from 2 different countries and manufacturers technically would be taxing on RMAF purse.

But before RMAF looks into replacing their current trainer aircrafts, they need to look into replacing their current frontline fleet of combat aircraft first.

Currently, RMAF defends our airspace with the following aircrafts:

SU30MKM
18 units of the super-agile Russian-made based at Gong Kedak AFB. These are at least 10 years old today.

RMAF SU30MKM
Credit Wikipedia common

F/A18AD Hornet
8 units of these American-made aircrafts are based at Butterworth AFB. These have reached 20 years in service.

RMAF F/A18AD Hornet
Credit Wikipedia common

MiG29N/NUB
RMAF procured 18 of these Cold War era jets from Russia in the 90's. Rumours has it that RMAF were short-changed by Russia as some units were believed to be Russian white tails, or former MiG29 which were originally meant for Russian Air Force.

RMAF MiG29N
Credit Wikipedia common

Of these 18, 2 were lost in crashes (1 N and 1 NUB, with NUB for 2 seater variant). It was supposedly taken out of commission last year, with the balance to be sold of to India.

But it is said that the Air Force had been forced to reactivate the plane due to pressing needs. It is believed only 6 to 10 are still operational. If operational, they will be flying from Kuantan AFB.

Second Tier Fighters

RMAF second line or second tier defence is supported by BAe Hawk 208. These are largely based at Labuan AFB and Tawau FOB (Forward Operational Base).

RMAF BAe Hawk 208
Credit MMP

RMAF 15-to-5?
RMN has managed to convince the Federal Government to allow it to embark on a renewal process called RMN 15-to-5 Transformation Plan.

The plan, which called upon the Navy to retire most of their older vessels and confine themselves to 5 classes of vessels had the Federal Government support as it had self-funded itself to buy new vessels by retiring and disposing off older Navy vessels. Maintenance fund originally allocated for the repair and maintenance of these older vessels are then channelled to pay for the newer vessels. The same plan also had RMN to be the first MAF service branch to procure key assets from China.

RMAF too had been said to have been asked to look into coming up with a similar plan. The current mix of aircrafts from different sources has RMAF in a logistical quagmire. With 3 main frontline fighters from 3 different manufacturers from 2 different countries, it is a wonder that RMAF can operate efficiently.

A similar plan by RMAF should see only 1 type of Tier 1 combat aircraft supported by 1 type of Tier 2 combat aircraft. This would allow consolidation of trainer aircrafts into only 1 type of conversion trainer aircraft required.

The problem RMAF is facing now is how are they going to operationalise this.

With the current fleet of RMAF fighters, RMAF may need to decommission more than one type of aircraft. This may lead to some political repercussions.

Unlike the West where there are watchdogs from both sides of political divide that understand the importance of defence to the nation, opposition political parties which are more left-leaning tend to politicise military procurement. They see the procurement of such assets are waste of the nation's valuable resources.

Possibly this would be spinned in the following 2 ways.

The first that the Federal Government is wasting money buying equipment that we would not even be using as we do not go to war. As we are not going to war, it is not justified for us to buy such equipment. The same fund can be used to provide free education and free health service to the rakyat.

The second argument that would be that the Federal Government are selling off good assets to be replaced with more expensive assets that is far too expensive for us so they can generate commissions for their own pockets. In fact, this was used by some individuals to criticise the Federal Government plan to procure new MRCA to replace the ageing MiG29N.

This, the PTU (Panglima Tentera Udara) or Chief of Air Force will need to have a strong political backing before he can reform the whole of RMAF.

If reformation of the whole RMAF is required, let's have a look at the countries that are currently RMAF vendor.

United States
US was the first choice vendor for RMAF in the past. However, the painful decision that RMAF had to undergo in the 80's had probably soured their appetite for procuring large number of US-made aircraft as main Tier 1 fighters.

Article on ban on the purchase of A4PTM.
Credit to MMP. 

In the 80's, as part of the PERISTA (Perancangan Istimewa Angkatan Tentera) saw Malaysian Federal Government signing an agreement to procure 88 units of former USN A4 which were converted into A4PTM (Peculiar to Malaysia) SkyHawk. Of these 88 units, only 40 were delivered to Malaysia. Apparently, the balance of the fighters were not delivered to Malaysia due to a ban imposed on to Malaysian Government by then US President, Ronald Reagan. Details of this ban is unknown and is only evidenced by a newspaper cutting.

The last 20 years however, should have changed RMAF view of US. All 8 units of RMAF F/A18AD Hornet are still flying today, a testament of remarkable relationship between both nations.

In between the years from the ban being applied onto Malaysia until today, US Government had been trying to approach Malaysia with multiple offers of EDA (Excess Defence Assets) and FMA (Foreign Military Aid).

The only potential glitch for Malaysia to procure any new MRCA from US would be the potential souring of relationship between both nations as currently, US Department of Justice is being perceived as trying to meddle into Malaysian affair with their civil court seizures into assets believed to be purchased using funds embezzled from Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB.

On the flip side, the US might be the cheapest choice as they are offering an option which is at the tail-end of the technology run.

Currently, US is offering to Malaysia the either the upgraded and latest version of Boeing FA18EF Super Hornet or Advanced Super Hornet.

F/A18EF Super Hornet
Credit Wikipedia common

Advance Super Hornet
Source: Refer link

UK
UK's BAe or British Aerospace's commitment to RMAF is exemplary. Their hands on approach and after-sales service, especially to the Hawks sold in the 90's have very much in hand in ensuring the nimble fighters continue to punch above its weight.

In fact, during Cope Taufan Exercise 2014, some leaked details mentioned that the nimble fighters (2 Hawk 208 versus 1 FA22 Raptor) managed to score a kill against the Raptor.

Their commitment belie their past though. The fall from grace of former Malaysian Premier Tun Dr Mahathir had seen tonnes of his dirts being brought to attention.

One of it is the procurement of the Hawks itself, which was handled by an individual close to the former premier. In what was called as the Pergau Dam scandal, RMAF intention to procure Panavia Tornado had been hijacked and replaced with the Hawk.

In hindsight, it might have been a better decision as Panavia Tornado had since been decommissioned by British RAF. While the current Hawk is still getting interest from many nations as LIFT.

Currently, RMAF is being offered with 18 units of British-made Eurofighter Typhoon.

Royal Saudi Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon
Source Wikipedia Common

France

France is also actively pursuing to supply RMAF with 18 units of Rafale D. The omnirole fighter has now finally matured into a very capable and futuristic next generation fighter.

French Dassault Rafale
Source Wikipedia Common

Rafale dedication to Malaysian market must be applauded. Despite losing out to then McDonnell Douglas and Russian Robonorexport for the supply of Hornet and MiG29 in the past, they have yet to give up. I remember watching a news segment on Rafale flying in Malaysia to promote the previous iteration of their Rafale when I was a kid.

The only problem with Rafale is the price. It is the priciest of all the planes offered. This is largely due to French defence products were generally expensive and the platform itself has a vast unexplored potential.

Russia
Based on the current aircrafts fielded by RMAF, it would be a logical reason for RMAF to look into getting new Russian aircrafts. They are rugged, tough and much cheaper than their western counterparts.

However, Russian vendors have poor logistics. Spare parts are slow to come by. That had plagued the MiG29N operations. And to certain extent, SU30MKM too.

The tragic shooting down of MH17 over Ukrainian sky too had left a bad taste. Though it is still unknown who had fired the shot, MINDEF is said to be reluctant to get new jets from Russia. Though currently there is a rumour that there is a change of heart with SU35 being targeted. 

SU35
Source Wikipedia Common

Sweden
Not wanting to miss the fray, Swedish Saab is also offering their Saab Gripen JAS39.

Saab JAS-39 Gripen
Source Wikipedia Common

The Gripen which offer commonality in terms of weapons system and engine (the jet uses engine similar to Hornets) is said to be very easy to maintain. The ease of maintenance have seen the Gripen being nicknamed the IKEA fighter (Gripen claimed an untrained 18 conscript can easily change the engine of a Gripen by just using a screwdriver).

However,the Gripen has a poor range compared to most of the others offered.

Why did I divert into the MRCA?
Earlier in this article, we were focused on the trainer BAe Hawk 108. And we talked a bit about its counterpart the Italian Aermacchi MB339. Before we are able to replace both BAe Hawk 108 and the Aermacchi MB339, RMAF must select what would be their Tier 1 (and may be Tier 2) MRCA first. From the capabilities of the new MRCA, only then RMAF would be able to gauge what type of LIFT replacement is required to replace the current fleet of trainers.

Conclusion
Being a keyboard warrior is one of the easiest job in the world. One only need to type what he or she thinks.

But what we need is a careful analytical review of RMAF requirement and how does it stack up in the real world.

Do take note that current RMAF strength may not be sufficient to provide proper air defence for the whole nation. With Tier 1 aircrafts are based in Peninsular Malaysia, this has ultimately exposed Sabah and Sarawak to being protected by only Tier 2 fighters. While the Hawk might still be sufficient for Sabah for now, this is not tenable in the long run.

Further delay in the replacement MRCA programme will also affect the trainer units. As mentioned, a suitable trainer can only be selected once RMAF had identified the suitable MRCA. With both platforms (Hawks and Aermacchi) are ageing, this will soon affect RMAF ability to train the next generation of fighter pilots effectively.