Indonesia Air Force Modernisation Starts With A400M

The Indonesian Air Force, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI AU), will modernise its airlift assets through the purchase of 5 Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft. 3 of the aircraft are expected to be assembled by the state-owned PT Dirgantara in Bandung as part the technology transfer requirement for the US$2 billion purchase. Since 2000, 5 of TNI AU's ageing C-130s have been destroyed in unfortunate air crashes. One of the destroyed aircraft was a second-hand purchase of C-130 decommissioned by the Royal Australia Air Force.



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Royal Malaysian Air Force Received Second A400M

RMAF's second A400M on test flight in Spain before delivery to Malaysia

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has received its second A400M Atlas transport aircraft from Airbus Defence & Space. Malaysia is the first export customer for the A400M, having placed a $2.5 billion order for four A400M in 2005.  The first aircraft was delivered on 17 March 2015. The remaining two A400Ms are expected to be delivered this year. With far superior performance than the existing C-130 operated by RMAF, the A400M will greatly improve the strategic and tactical airlift capability of the RMAF.

New Straits Times

The Star

Malaysian Defence Budget 2016

The Malaysian defence budget for 2016 0f US$4 billion is 2.5% less than the current year. Not on the card are the replacement for the MiG-29. Malaysia had been evaluating various options to replace the ageing MiG-29 fighters with 18 multi-role combat aircraft to complement the existing Boeing F-18C/D and Sukhoi Su-30MKM. The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) were assessing the F-18E/F, Dassault Rafale, Gripen NG and the Typhoon Eurofighter for procurement. Speaking in parliament on 10 June, the Defence Minister Hishammuddin had cited the RMAF's Multi-Role Combat aircraft (MRCA) procurement as an example of a capability that is not in line with the threats that Malaysia faced. Also not catered in budget was the requirement for attack helicopter.

Major acquistion programmes which are funded includes six Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS), Starstreak Short Range Air Defence missile systems, AV-8 Gempita 8x8 combat vehicles and the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft.



NST

Janes