New fighters needed after F-5, MiG-29 retired, says former RMAF commander

PETALING JAYA: The number of fighter jets, which are viewed as national defence assets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), needs to be increased.

Former RMAF commander, General (R) Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said the country's capability was affected after the F5-E Tiger II and MiG-29 were retired (end of service).

According to him, the addition of these assets need to be done immediately because the country is lagging behind in the aspect of owning air defence assets compared to other countries in the Asian region.

"We still need air defence assets, especially fighter and trainer aircraft as we no longer have the capability after we retired the MiG-29."

"So, we need to have new assets because this country is lagging behind.

"In the past, Malaysia was the first country to get F5 supersonic aircraft, but now among the region we are lagging behind the most.

"When the F5, MiG-29 ended its service, we had no assets to replace," he was quoted telling Sinar Harian on Saturday (Aug 6).

Rodzali said this after attending the RMAF F5-E Tiger II Fighter Aircraft former members reunion ceremony at the Air Force Recreation Club.

Last March, the RMAF was reported to be making a phased acquisition of the dual-purpose Fighter-Lead-In-Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA), which is expected to begin operations in 2024.

The acquisition includes the process of adding seven more assets in an effort to improve the capabilities of the country's air defence system.

Air defence capabilities will also be enhanced with the acquisition plan of three Long Range Air Defence Radar Systems (Lorad) through the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).

In addition, the RMAF is in the process of acquiring several other assets, namely the Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) (MALE-UAS), which is expected to start operating in 2024/2025 and the maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), which is expected to operate in 2025.