Rmaf new orbat program (new blue print policy)
 

RMAF NEW ORBAT PROGRAM (NEW BLUE PRINT POLICY)

I went to Malaysia last 2 weeks for formal visit and along with the visit, I met my old friends (ATM high rank officer with few other RMAF officer).

Thus, I take that opportunity to ask deeply on RMAF second MRCA program and Mig29N/NUB replacement. And then, we have a serious discussion on that matter and I believe most of all us (in Detik Forum) do not know on this program (second MRCA /Mig29 replacement) and this issue is now very ‘hot’ discussion in Malaysian defence forum.

Thus, allowed me to share with all forumer in this matter since I think no Malaysian entered this forum (if I am not mistaken), better for us to look other country in how to think so that we will know what will happen, what their next action and so on..

RMAF NEW BLUE PRINT
While we look at now, RMAF is operating SU30MKM, FA18D Hornet, Mig29N (NUB) , F-5E and HAWK as their fix wing fleet. This various a/c was very hard to maintain and even more, it is very costly. Thus, RMAF top brass (as ask by the Government) has decide a new blue print. This blue print geese is to ensure RMAF to operate two (2) type of air craft only, which is one from Russian and one from western block.

Thus, with this new blue print, two program involve which is ‘Second MRCA Program’ and’ Mig29N Replacement’.

MIG29N REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Since Mig29N were dedicated for air interceptor, the air frame was now entered a phased call ‘metal fatigue’ transition, which make RMAF be able to fly them only within this 5 years more. Thus, Russian gov via Irkut already offer RMAF to trade-in the Mig29N to them (refer to Janes Defences report and Irkut official statement), and with some payment, the Russian will provide RMAF with 6 more SU30MKM which is more ‘modern’ from SU30MKM previously.

Thus, I was understand that RMAF and Irkut has sign an Letter of intention (a stage before agreement) on that offer, and I was informed by RMAF top brass, this new Su30MKM will be dedicated for Air Intercept with full capabilities of air to air engagement, in term of radar (AESA, ‘Automatic electronic scan array’, comparing to previous MKM which is PESA, ‘Phased Electronic Scan Array’), BVR AAM with latest R77, WVR with R37 ASRAAM (advance shot range air to air misile).
Thus, with this coming Su30MKM (batch 2) the number of RMAF Sukhois will be;

18 unit Su30MKM (MRCA) + 6 unit Su30MKM (Air intercept) = 24 Unit of Su30MKM

Thus, the Mig29N will be no longer with RMAF.

(The announcement on the Replacement will be announce officially within this 2 years after RMAF and Irkut finalised the specification and the number of a/c, with minimum of six)

continue..

SECOND MRCA PROGRAM

Due to first 18 unit of SU30MKM which lastly received few years ago and once the Su30MKM declared fully operate, the RMAF will go for second MRCA program (actually this program has started at year 2009). RMAF blue print has stated that only western block a/c will be procure, thus, 4 candidates has sent their proposal to RMAF. The candidate are,

1.Grippen
The minimum buying unit will be 24 unit of JAS39Grippen with classification of NG (new generation). 2 unit of AEWACS also included. Noted that ‘NG’ version is better compare to RTAF JAS39 Grippen. This offer come with full package of BVR, WVR and land/maritime strike weaponry.

2. Eurofighter GmBH
Eurofighter GmBH also offered a good bid, they offer Typhoon T3 (tranches 3) and each of 1 unit Typhoon Trances 3, free 2 unit of Typhoon trances 1. This offer comes with full package of BVR, WVR and land/maritime strike weaponry.

3.Rafale
Rafale also offered Rafale-M on their bid. ‘M’ is stand for maritime and all full package of weaponry is offered.

4. Boeing.
Boeing is offered FA18 E/F Superhornet, and they also offered to buy back (trade-in) the FA18 Hornet D version belongs to RMAF. The US congress has release the full pack of weaponry (both BVRAAM/WVRAAM/ASRAAM) and land/maritime strike package.

The price of each Air Craft are as per below (in USD, not included with armament) , each of it were :

1. JAS 39 NG -USD 82.2 Million
2. Typhoon Tranches 3A - USD 124 Million
3. Rafale M - USD 85.5 Million
4. FA18 E/F Superhornet - USD 60.5 Million

As a comparison, (not in RMAF short listed):

1. F16 Block 60 - USD 60 Million
2. Mig35 MRCA - USD 45 Million

In this Second MRCA Program, RMAF want a jet fighter with equal capabilities, which is 50 : 50 (air to air / land and maritime strike).

The evaluation team (which valuate from year 2009 until mid of 2010) has reported that (air to air / land and maritime strike):

1. JAS 39NG – 60:40 – more to air dominance
2. Typhoon T3A – 70:30 – too lack on land/maritime strike
3. Rafale M – 40:60 – to much land/marmite strike, low on air to air combat
4. FA18Superhornet – 50:50 – equal in air dominance / land and maritime strike

Thus, with the facts, RMAF has decided to choose FA18 Superhornet (E/F version) because of,

FA18Superhornet – the willingness of US to offer full package (BVR/WVR/ASRAAM) and land/maritime attack. Even more, US willing to trade in with FA18D hornet to decrease the cost of Superbug, and lastly the ground crew and pilot of RMAF already familiar with Boeing air craft, specifically in hornet version.

JAS39NG – to similar with RTAF Grippen

Typhoon – too much on air to air (mostly in BVR combat), price to high comparing to Ringgit (MYR)

Rafale – too much on land strike.

Thus, the agreement will be sign (now the Boeing company and RMAF still in process of finalising the spec of the a/c) within this 2 years. So, as stated by Boeing co. host, FA18 E/F of superhornet offered to Malaysia will be consist AESA, AIM120C (I do not know the version, whether C5, C7) and WVRAAM/ASRAAM with land/maritime strike. The quantity of the a/c will be 24 unit.

The report on the mutual understanding and letter of intention by RMAF to Boeing already publish by Boeing recently. The official statement will be done on December 2012. We wait and see.

RMAF ORDER OF BATTLE (ORBAT) AND THE AIR BASED STRUCTURAL.
When the new Su30MKM and FA18 Superhornet entered, RMAF will operate 2 type of streamlines a/c, which are :

1. 24 unit of Su30MKM
2. 24 unit of FA18 E/F Superhornet

(FA18D hornet and Mig29N will be no longer with RMAF)

What we can see, the air base will be stated as below,

1. Gong Kedak Air Based – 18 unit of Su30MKM (MRCA role)
2. Penang Air Based - 12 unit of FA18 SH (Maritime / land strike)
3. Kuantan Air Based - 6 unit of Su30MKM (air intercept)
4. Labuan Air Based - 12 unit of FA18 SH (Maritime strike / air dominance)

The sections of the a/c (operating sectors) are as below:

Gong Kedak Air Based (18 Unit of Su30MKM MRCA)
This team will cover north of Peninsular Malaysia and any task which is involve deeply strike, air dominance and superiority offensive mode, backup for TLDM (RMN) flotilla for maritime strike and air tanker for long range operation unit.

Penang Air Based (12 unit of FA18 SH with maritime/land strike)
This team will cover the sector of Malaca straits, which is inclusive maritime strike and air dominance inclusive air patrol.

Kuantan Air Based (6 unit of Su30MKM air intercept)
This team will do any intercept within all area inclusive near part of Sarawak

Labuan Air Based (12 unit of FA18 SH air dominance/maritime strike)
This team will cover Spratly area, Ambalat area and due to FOB (Forward operation based) opened by TNI at Lanud Tarakan, Kalimantan.

(BAE HAWK will be located at Kuching for air to ground close support).

Continue..

While discuss on the second MRCA Program/Mig29N replacement, I also ask the RMAF officer on the differences between Su30MKM and Su30MK2. I doesn mean to underestimated any parties (especially TNIAU), but better for us to know what other air force have and dont, it will be more better for us in term of tactical matter.

They are many differences between TNIAU Su30MK2 / RMAF Su30MKM, some of it are the radar system.

Radar of MK2/MKK

1. Su30MK2 used Phazatron NIIP Zhuk MS/MSE. Zhuk MS/MSE radar is an upgrading radar form Zhuk-M whic is specially made for Mig29N.

2. This kind of radar were upgrade and modenized to suite with Su 27/30 which is cheaper. To suite with Su27/30, size of attenar array were increse of angle from 0.7 m to 0.97 m.

3. The range of detection for NIIP Zhuk are 190km with air target at RCS 5 meter square.

4. for land target, it can detect a tank wihtin the range of 30km and a bridge at 125km.

5. Weight for phazatron NIIP Zhuk MS/MSE are 255kg.

Radar of MKM/MKI

1. N011M bars are brand new radar which is specially tailor made for 4++ a/c such as Su37 terminator / Su35.

2. N011M Bars are the only radar of PESA (Passive electornically scanned array) which is near to AESA capable (which is the most powerfull radar for jet fighter ever made by Russian)

3. Distance for air target detection (5 meter square fit) detection are 350km.

4. for land detection, it can detect a tank at a distance of 50km.

5. Weight for N011M bars are 680 kg. (thus the a/c need canard to ensure the center balance of fuislage / not to mention for supermanuver).

Futhermore, as i refer to my report gained during RTAF visit at Moscow, Russian and my discussion with RMAF officer, a good brief for Su30MKI/MKM and Su30MKK/Mk2 are as below,

"Sukhoi 30 which nato code of flanker C are most modern a/c develop by Russian Sukhoi Aviation Corporation which operated on years of 1996,

1. Su27Mk and Su30MKK/MK2 builld by KNAAPO Corp,

2. Su30MKM/MKI build by IRKUT Corp,

both of the company (KNAAPO corp, IRKUT corp) are operate under the Sukhoi groups.

KNAAPO design and build for Su30 MK2 for chinese used and it is a maritime version with medium electronical system.

IRUT design and build for Su30MKI/MKM for long range operation and purely mulitrole a/c.

The differences between MKM and MK2 are MK2 is a standard version for commercial trade but still have a capabibilities on MRCA (not fully) meanwhile MKM/MKI is upgrading a/c with HUD, NAVFLIR, LDP Damocles, MAWS, LWS, BARS NIIP N011M PESA, EW System and OLS.

Anyone can inform, why RMAF focusing more on maritime strike and land strike? anyone to share some opinion?

Well, since no body interested to answer, let me share some thought (based on thought, different country with different location will has different tought, so this opinion are based on Malaysia army analysis).

Why the jet must be capable for Air to Air warfare and most important, must be able to do maritime srike?

As we know, Malaysian geographical factor are sorround by seas and only border in land sector where at north peninsular (Southern thai and north Malaysia) and on Borneo sector (Sabah, Sarawak of Malaysia and Kalimatan, Indonesia).

So, let say there is a country who want to offensive Malaysia, they will use surface vessel to bring along the troops and do the amphibious landing. So, Malaysian top brass looks and think that the best way to elliminate the enemy within the sea with air power. In this situation, doesnt matter how much army do you have, but when at the sea, everyone dependings at their ship.

Thus, a FA18SH which carried 4 harpoons can make a big damage (or even sunk it) for 4 frigates. 3 unit of FA18SH can shoot those vessel from far (stand off distance) without receiving any harm of anti air system from the ship. Thus, the MKM's will make a air cover to the Superbug.

So, thats why RMAF put a high standard for land/maritime strike capabilities so much compare to air to air power..

Based on the modernization of RMAF, my country choose no to fight it symetrically (to buy another a/c to counter it), but we will improve our anti-air system so that no other a/c from other country will break our air space.

The AWACs team will do fully operation to ensure no a/c break into our air space, and to compete RMAF by symetrical warfare (i.e a/c versus a/c, or tank vs tank) is not in effectice way anymore, both in cost and human factor.

Thus, refer to TV interview with RTAF general, he looks that they is no record of Malaysian a/c intrussion to thai air space, and we looks like (as before), there is no action on aggresive mode from both side, no matter in political, socialisme and so on..so, we dont look the modernisation program of RMAF as a threat to us.

Take a words from the general, "RMAF always give as special privillege on what we ask, they threat us like we are their brother, eventhough they are more superior than us".

Thats a view from RTAF general, I do not know what will be in mind of TNIAU general?

But, i believe both RTAF, RMAF and TNIAU always have a good relationship.

Quote - To be honest, although I in RTAF, I always look and learn from Malaysian force due to their way of managing the force, how they think and act and lastly no media, people, force dept in Malaysia like too think to much (more to imaginery), i.e to think what they can achieve in certain period of time, no rumours and to imaginery such 180 Sukhois, carier on so on came out from their discussion (sorry, no heart feeling please, just to show the differences on way of thinking)...what good on them, we should learn, what bad from them, we should leave it.

Nice info mr Vympel... How about their naval force? Can you share your analysis (or information) about their new blue print...