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A Quantum Leap In Military Capability By Malaysia
Malaysia's purchase of a modified version of the Sukhoi Su-30MK fighter aircraft signals both a significant quantum leap in the operational capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and more in general of the Malaysian military as a whole, as well as further expansion of the commercial success of the Russian design as a true multi-role fighter-bomber.
The RMAF aircraft, designated Su-30MKM (whereby the "M" obviously stands for "Malaysia") will be based on the Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI version, and will thus be suitable for use in a variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea roles. The most significant difference is expected to involve the avionics, whereby the Su-30 MKI's combination of Indian, Israeli and French sub-systems and components will be replaced by an architecture based mostly on elements of Russian and French origin, although some Indian components may also eventually gain a place onboard. As a Muslim country, Malaysia rejected the use of Israeli-designed items.
Programme Background
The Su-30MKM purchase is the result of a competition for a new-generation multi-role fighter aircraft, that was launched by the RMAF back in the late 1990s. The service's fighter inventory currently consists of MiG-29s and F/A-18Ds which were assigned for air-to-air and attack missions, respectively leaving a big operational gap to be filled by a suitable fighter-bomber which could perform multiple roles. Based on the positive experience gained with the F/A-18Ds, a two-seat configuration was selected in principle.
The RMAF then zeroed in on the Boeing F-15E, the F/A-18F Super HORNET then completing development and the Su-27/Su-30 family, which the Russians and the Indians where turning from an air superiority design into a multi-role model based on specifications defined by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The decisional process has been carried out under very tight secrecy, and it is thus not clear whether the F-15E and later the Super HORNET were edged out in a price/ performance comparison or due to other considerations, or indeed whether there has been a formal competition at all. According to some reports, it is even not...