Commentary: Plagued by defence budget curbs - the Royal Malaysian Air Force in crisis
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s comments that Malaysia has no intent of buying new fighter jets reflects a longstanding challenge of funding the country’s defence spending, says defence commentator Mike Yeo.
(Updated: )
Ricky Lim
We must adopt a systematic, prudent process of procurement and upgrading our defense capabilities --- regardless of how other Countries keep their defense spendings.
We must not be too complacent or too extravagant in spending on defence - but do so in a systematic manner - to ensure that our defense are in a tip-top condition at all time - to protect ourselves from whatever possible threat.
By doing so, we will ensure that we maintain a good military deterrence - to prevent anyone of taking advantage of us, invade us or adopt more aggressive stance against us - that violate our Sovereignty, compromise our National Interests or deny us from our Right of Existence.
But we will still need to adopt a prudent foriegn affair and diplomatic policy of :-
"Friends with All.
Adversary with None.
Forge mutual benefits with win-win outcome."
By doing so, we will ensure that Singapore can remain prosperous, peace and harmony that will help to build our Economic Wealth with many years to come.
We must not be too complacent or too extravagant in spending on defence - but do so in a systematic manner - to ensure that our defense are in a tip-top condition at all time - to protect ourselves from whatever possible threat.
By doing so, we will ensure that we maintain a good military deterrence - to prevent anyone of taking advantage of us, invade us or adopt more aggressive stance against us - that violate our Sovereignty, compromise our National Interests or deny us from our Right of Existence.
But we will still need to adopt a prudent foriegn affair and diplomatic policy of :-
"Friends with All.
Adversary with None.
Forge mutual benefits with win-win outcome."
By doing so, we will ensure that Singapore can remain prosperous, peace and harmony that will help to build our Economic Wealth with many years to come.
Like · Reply · 1m
Pher Kim Huat
Ricky Lim, you're right.
In knowing those "political characters" from M'sia with their "bully kechil" mentality, we'll be bulldozed by them if we don't equiped S'pore and spend appropriately to have necessary advance defence system and personnel in all our armed forces (be it land, air or sea) to defend us.
In knowing those "political characters" from M'sia with their "bully kechil" mentality, we'll be bulldozed by them if we don't equiped S'pore and spend appropriately to have necessary advance defence system and personnel in all our armed forces (be it land, air or sea) to defend us.
Reply · 1h
Ricky Lim
Pher Kim Huat -
Security situation can take place very quickly without warning.
For eg.
(1) People can send 14 ships without warning into our territory.
If we do not have strong defense - we will be invaded.
(2) ISIS swipe through a large part of Syria and Iraq within days - and capture a large part of the territory without warning.
(3) ISIS terrorist suddenly invade Marawi in Philippines without warning.
We will be caught flat-footed if our defense is not on our toes to defend and counter-attack like some oppostion say - why need an army (no one will bother us).
Security situation can take place very quickly without warning.
For eg.
(1) People can send 14 ships without warning into our territory.
If we do not have strong defense - we will be invaded.
(2) ISIS swipe through a large part of Syria and Iraq within days - and capture a large part of the territory without warning.
(3) ISIS terrorist suddenly invade Marawi in Philippines without warning.
We will be caught flat-footed if our defense is not on our toes to defend and counter-attack like some oppostion say - why need an army (no one will bother us).
Like · Reply · 1m
Yi Yong Ke
Is there an air base at Sarawak or Sabah?, otherwise the jet fighters will not be
able to fly any further on reaching the airspace of the two states (S & S)
By the time the jets enter the air-space, no more fuel...
able to fly any further on reaching the airspace of the two states (S & S)
By the time the jets enter the air-space, no more fuel...
Ricky Lim
Malaysia has 2 airfield - one in Labuan and one in Kuching.
The one in Labuan - house their light-attack aircraft specifically BAE Hawks - 28 of them.
Kuching - house their transport and utility aircraft.
Their Hawks are used to patrol and combat insurgents in Sabah and Sarawak.
There was once they fly 2 FA18C/D from Butterworth to support their Hawk in bombing some insurgents in Sabah and Sarawak.
The combat range of FA18C/D is about 740 km - can reach there by re-fueling mid-air as to Labuan (1,652km) and Kuching (1,191 km).
Their refuelling tanker is KC-130 Hercules - 4 units.
The one in Labuan - house their light-attack aircraft specifically BAE Hawks - 28 of them.
Kuching - house their transport and utility aircraft.
Their Hawks are used to patrol and combat insurgents in Sabah and Sarawak.
There was once they fly 2 FA18C/D from Butterworth to support their Hawk in bombing some insurgents in Sabah and Sarawak.
The combat range of FA18C/D is about 740 km - can reach there by re-fueling mid-air as to Labuan (1,652km) and Kuching (1,191 km).
Their refuelling tanker is KC-130 Hercules - 4 units.
Georgie Tan
Malaysia should start a circus for M. He can act as a clown. No wonder he is saying that he is running out of time.
用李
Base on hate Old man now talk nonsense again suggest a buy that will deepen MY bankruptcy risk by throwing cash to already cash rich china for another fighter fleet lol...
Did this old man kn running China, Russian & US fleet is not financially smart in defense budget???
A real joker!
Did this old man kn running China, Russian & US fleet is not financially smart in defense budget???
A real joker!
Joseph Convergence
Can build a million Flying Car and equipe with light-weight assault weapon. Can defend very well also
Bawihtei Bawihtei
So the J-17 comment yesterday was more to test drive the plane rather than buy anything??
Niko Nishi
The PM made empty threat to EU that Malaysia will not buy their fighter jets if the EU ban palm oil and empty promises to China, Pakistan and Russia that Malaysia will buy their fighter jets instead. The truth is Malaysia has no money to buy any and I believe getting enough fund to maintaining the current fleet is even a problem.
Then the PM boosted about the success of LIMA, which was a lackluster event according to the report here. Probably the most stunning highlight must be the flying car prototype by Malaysia.
Then the PM boosted about the success of LIMA, which was a lackluster event according to the report here. Probably the most stunning highlight must be the flying car prototype by Malaysia.
Pher Kim Huat
With such kind of air force defence, M'sia is very lucky to have friendly and helpful neighbours like S'pore despite the Old M and his "echo ministers" keep trying to find unfounded fault with us.
The vintage Old M first priority when he became the PM again (2nd term) is just to threaten S'pore with those unreasonable and unnecessary water & territorial issues instead of sorting ut M'sia's own domestic issues.
Also, as he himself admitted that he is "running out of time", he seems to be just focusing in reviving all his "brain children" like building "more crooked bridge", promoting "flying cars", setting up "Proton plant in Pakistan", etc but did almost nothing for his own people ? In fact he is making a mockery of Msia to become a laughing stock when the so called "flying car" is merely a drone-designed transport system that looks like the assembly of 4 "KDK fans" together which probably many ITE or Polytechnics students may be able to do it ?
Like Brunei, it's high time for Sabah and Sarawak to seek independence to avoid feeding those irresponsible, unreasonable and selfish federal government in Putrajaya.
The vintage Old M first priority when he became the PM again (2nd term) is just to threaten S'pore with those unreasonable and unnecessary water & territorial issues instead of sorting ut M'sia's own domestic issues.
Also, as he himself admitted that he is "running out of time", he seems to be just focusing in reviving all his "brain children" like building "more crooked bridge", promoting "flying cars", setting up "Proton plant in Pakistan", etc but did almost nothing for his own people ? In fact he is making a mockery of Msia to become a laughing stock when the so called "flying car" is merely a drone-designed transport system that looks like the assembly of 4 "KDK fans" together which probably many ITE or Polytechnics students may be able to do it ?
Like Brunei, it's high time for Sabah and Sarawak to seek independence to avoid feeding those irresponsible, unreasonable and selfish federal government in Putrajaya.
Unker Will
Of course those ancient jet fighters still can perform well with good maintenance just like those vintage cars ...polished till bright and shinning but only sometimes driving around for show but most of the time parked at the garage for good.
Michael Cheng
what do u expect from such a roti prata PM? anyway, i can sleep soundly at night in sg. thx Prata M.
Guna Shekeran Vijayan
SG defence planners propably taken into account the weakness in neighbouring countries Air Forces when purchasing F35 and other defence systems.
Should a major conflict erupt in the region, Malaysian air defence comes under SG control.
Airforce is like a condom that gives you a sense of protection while being screwed.
Propably they should have realise parking of two boats in SG waters and ILS is of no use as little adek control the skies.
Should a major conflict erupt in the region, Malaysian air defence comes under SG control.
Airforce is like a condom that gives you a sense of protection while being screwed.
Propably they should have realise parking of two boats in SG waters and ILS is of no use as little adek control the skies.
Chew Kok Seng
Build more bridges? Show us your ringgit!
Tell the world you are poor, but build flying car? Flying carpet be cheaper.
Tell the world you are poor, but build flying car? Flying carpet be cheaper.
Swee Meng Ling
Crisis? Even if they have to sell their fighters and weapons off, it is also not a crisis. To the war magazine or weapon producing countries, crisis it is.
Yong Yam
He bought the Russian jets years ago to spite the US now warns EU he may buy from China if EU curbs his palm oil. Later he cannot read the manual in Chinese and ask for translation in Malay.
Always say no money, cut down on maintenance and spare parts and expect his planes to fly but said only a suggestion may not buy at all.
Actually he can save his money, just buy some scrap rusty barges and block the Johore Straits to spite the southern neighbour.
Put all the spare parts together from his fleet of aircrafts and maybe only a few can fly, anyway you stand no chance against the latest aircrafts with proper logistic support and others are operational & decisive(this he knows too well but don't admit)
Less on words and more on deeds, do your citizens a service.
Always say no money, cut down on maintenance and spare parts and expect his planes to fly but said only a suggestion may not buy at all.
Actually he can save his money, just buy some scrap rusty barges and block the Johore Straits to spite the southern neighbour.
Put all the spare parts together from his fleet of aircrafts and maybe only a few can fly, anyway you stand no chance against the latest aircrafts with proper logistic support and others are operational & decisive(this he knows too well but don't admit)
Less on words and more on deeds, do your citizens a service.
Tan Wee Tong
Why is there a need for new fighter aircraft. Who is going to attack Malaysia? Nobody dare. Since Malaysia is capable of producing many things, why not spend money on building up this industries. Sure many countries is willing to invest. Of course China is out for the better. Start assembly first and building the airframe. You can design and build airframe the rest is just procuring the right equipment or parts.
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