17 Apr 12. Following the successful visit by David Cameron to Malaysia, the Typhoon team, led by BAE Systems told BATTLESPACE that it was confident of winning the order for 18 + 18 aircraft. “We are hoping to persuade the Malaysian Air Force to look at a new aircraft, Typhoon, given it performance and in country support emanating from earlier BAE- deals such as Hawk.” A BAE spokesman told BATTLESPACE.
Gerald Howarth MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Ministry of Defence with the title of Minister for International Security Strategy told BATTLESPACE, “Since David Cameron’s visit to Malaysia, Britain is back here, the period of benign neglect is over and we are building close relationships with the Malaysian government and local businesses to win the Typhoon order for UK and our European partners.”
The Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon made their Malaysian debut appearances in December 2011 at the Langkawi show as the rivals pursue Malaysia’s multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement against the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab Gripen. Dassault mounted a major campaign, with the head of the French air force visiting the show. The company also had a large stand and two French air force Rafales were on static display and performed flight demonstrations. The company also confirmed media reports it had opened a Kuala Lumpur office in October, establishing itself as a late entrant to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s RSK MiG-29 aircraft. Dassault discussed its willingness to work with Malaysian industry in the area of offsets. At a media briefing, Malaysian defence minister Ahmad Zahid said offsets will play a key role in the nation’s decision for the 18-aircraft MRCA deal. Boeing also mounted a major campaign. Using two Super Hornets leased from the US Navy, it conducted aerial displays and also hosted Malaysian VIPs and journalists to media flights. Company representatives said the F/A-18E/F is highly compatible with Malaysia’s current eight F/A-18Ds, and its pilots could fly the newer type with little training, although they would need to master the Super Hornet’s more advanced systems and sensors. Boeing also highlighted the F/A-18E/F’s ability to operate as a tactical tanker, and the aircraft’s Raytheon APG-79 active electronic scanned array radar. The APG-79 is the only operational AESA in the competition, although its rivals should have the technology by the time the MRCA winner enters service in 2015-2016. Eurofighter, meanwhile, conducted flying displays with two Royal Air Force Typhoons that remained in Malaysia after participating in the region’s Bersama Lima exercise in early November. The European consortium also brought a full-sized mock-up to the show and stressed the long history of programme partners such as BAE Systems and EADS in Malaysia’s aerospace industry. Saab was represented by two Royal Thai Air Force Gripens. Bangkok has ordered 12 of the single-engined fighters and received six so far. Supporting the Eurofighter Typhoon campaign for Malaysia’s MRCA competition, SELEX Galileo highlighted during DSA, its leadership of industry consortia that deliver mission critical systems for the fighter such as the Praetorian electronic warfare suite, the PIRATE IRST for stealth operations and the Captor-M radar, the Typhoon’s main sensor. SELEX Galileo is responsible for 60% of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s avionics and will be a key partner in bringing the technology to Malaysia if the Eurofighter is chosen.
(Langkawi source: Flight International)
17 Apr 12. Sources told BATTLESPACE at DSA that Eurofighter was ‘disappointed’ with the decision by India to buy Rafale, and that it respects the process and would ‘be back’ if invited to put in a new proposal. “The process must be super transparent and all technology opportunities will be examined in a process which may take up to 8 months during which time everything is on hold.” The source said. There is a possibility that the Thale