SHAH ALAM: The Defence Ministry is waiting for the green light from the Finance Ministry for the procurement of 36 light combat aircraft (LCA) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Hishammuddin said physical assessments and price negotiations for the procurement of the aircraft have been completed and submitted to the Finance Ministry (MOF) for approval. The full report regarding the acquisition of the assets has been received by his ministry.
“The price negotiations with the aircraft end-user, which is the RMAF, have been completed. We now wait for what is decided by the MOF.
“This is my promise to the RMAF. I believe that there will be no problem if assets are determined by the end-user (RMAF) themselves,” he told reporters after sending off the Malaysian Battalion peacekeeping force (Malbatt) to Lebanon here yesterday.
Going on a key mission: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein with some Malaysian battalion troops at the RMAF Subang Air Base. They are heading to Lebanon on a peacekeeping mission. - RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Also present at the event were Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Affandi Buang and Defence Ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz.
Previously, a total of eight international companies were reported to have been bidding for the tender to supply 36 LCA to the RMAF.
The open tender was held by the Defence Ministry from June 22 to Sept 22 last year. The procurement would replace five BaE Systems Hawk Mk 108 two-seat LCA and 13 British-made single-seat Mk 208 jets that were used a decade ago.
It also involves the replacement of seven Italian-made Aermacchi MB-339CM fighter training jets that are currently stationed in Penang.
