A Eurofighter Typhoon in flight at the Dubai Air Show. Photo courtesy of BAE Systems.
KUALA LUMPUR: UK-based BAE Systems (International) Ltd is optimistic of its Eurofighter Typhoon bid and is now awaiting the Malaysian government’s decision to replace the current MiG-29N fleet for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Managing Director for South-East Asia and India, John Brosnan, said it was up to the Malaysian government to evaluate the proposals and select the aircraft that would meet the requirement.
BAE Systems’ planes are up against Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale and Saab’s Gripen for the tender.
“We’re quite optimistic now. We think all the evaluations are now being done. We’ve made our proposals. Our competitors made their proposals,” he told Bernama at the recent Defence Sevices Asia 2016 (DSA 2016).
He said the RMAF had tested its aircraft.
The company had in 2011, submitted the “Rough Order of Magnitude” prices, which are estimates or outline prices for the supply of main equipment, training and initial spares.
Brosnan said the comprehensive industrial package included in the bid for maintaining the aircraft would also create 20,000 jobs.
“We work hard to ensure that we’re also offering a comprehensive industrial package as well to ensure the aircraft will be well supported entirely in Malaysia.
“It would create up to 20,000 jobs in Malaysia. So we think it’s an attractive offer in terms of capabilities of the products and the wider economic benefits to Malaysia,” he said.
In October 2010, the Malaysian government decided to retire the country’s MiG-29N due to high operating costs.
It was reported that the RMAF required 18 new fighter jets as replacement under the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft programme.
The Typhoon, developed by Europe’s leading aerospace companies led by BAE Systems, is highly agile in terms of air superiority with an air-to-surface, multi-role/swing-role weapons system, making it among the most capable front-line combat aircraft available.
Malaysia bought 18 of the MiG-29N fighter jets in June 1994 for US$380 million. – Bernama