19 July 2007

Malaysia receives the first of eighteen Su-30 MKM Fighters

In May of this year, Malaysia received its first Sukhoi Su-30 MKM fighters. According to a report:

"Many observers consider the SU-30MKI/M to be superior to all US aircraft except the F-22A Raptor; this would include the Boeing Super Hornet it beat for the Malaysian order, as well as the new F-15SGs bought recently by neighboring Singapore."

It was also noted that:

"The SU-30 MKM also bears the NIIP N011M phased array radar system, and can carry large (up to 8,000 kg/ 17,650 lb) and diverse weapon loads over a very good unrefueled radius (more than 700 nm)."

Malaysia now has a fleet consisting of F/A-18 A/Bs, MiG-29Ns and Su-30 MKMs.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is M'sia going for some sort of arms race?

Singapore should get some Euro fighters if that is any good or Raptor?

Or even as many SAM as possible.

d;-)

Joe Katzman said...

Singapore eliminated the Eurofighter from the competition that bought the F-15SG. while it would beat the F-15 in an aerial fight, it has much shorter range, far less ground attack capability, and an inferior radar. The radar and ground attack capability are being worked on, but wouldn't be ready within Singapore's required time frame.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2005/04/singapore-drops-eurofighter-from-critical-contract/index.php

For details re: the Eurofighter vs. SU-30MKI/M, see DID's recent article:

"Typhoon vs. SU-30MKI: The 2007 Indra Dhanush Exercise"

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/typhoon-vs-su-30mki-the-2007-indra-dhanush-exercise-03470/

To which I'll add that in a real conflict situation, there are a number of other factors besides individual aircraft capability that will decide who the winner is. Still, it's always helpful to have better aircraft.