Malaysia Reveals Force Structure for Air Force in 2055

The Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) has published an infographic detailing its force structure plans up to 2055. Based on the plan, RMAF fighter jet fleet will be two types, a multi role combat aircraft (MRCA) and the light combat aircraft (LCA) organised into five squadrons. Currently, the RMAF operates a mixed fleet of Su-30, F-18C/D and MiG-29 with additional supplement for the light attack roles from the trainer fleet - Hawk and MB339.

The transport squadrons will be reduced from four to three units with the aircraft type reduced from four to two. The A400M should still be a major transport asset in the next few decades. The helicopter fleet will be standardized into a single aircraft type. This seems to indicate that attack helicopter procurement is not in the plan.  However, there are plans for one squadron of Airborne Early Warning aircraft  and long endurance Unmanned Aircraft as well as one squadron of maritime patrol aircraft. The RMAF of the future will maintain air defence radars and one regiment of ground based air defence system which does not seems to be adequate for wide geographical spread of the country.

RMAF

Philippine Air Force Goes Supersonic Again

The first two of a fleet of 12 lead-in fighter trainers have arrived in Philippine to. The Philippine Air Force took delivery of two FA-50PH Golden Eagle on 28 Nov and return to the supersonic age. The last supersonic aircraft in the PAF, the F-5 were retired in 2005. The ferry flight was delayed a day by bad weather in South Korea but there was no stopping the progress of the PAF. The FA-50PH is armed with multi-function radar, Gatling cannon and advanced air-to-air missile. It will confer on the PAF a credible local air defense capability. The acquisition of air-to-air missiles will be catered separately. Funding for air-to-air missiles for the FA-50 was approved by President Benigno S. Aquino III recently under a package which programs like the acquisition of four long range patrol aircraft and ground based air surveillance system.


Philstar