Posted on 03/01/2010 7:47:37 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Malaysian Government last week announced that it would continue to operate ten of its 16 MiG-29N interceptors, reversing plans announced late last year to decommission the entire fleet of by the end of 2010. The original plan by the Ministry of Defence to replace the MiG-29N fighter jets with the 'Multi Role Combat Aircraft' (MRCA) has been delayed by the economic downturn, a ministry official told reporters. As defpro.com previously reported in November last year, the Royal Malaysian Air Forces’ (RMAF) plan to purchase a new fleet of fighter aircraft faced serious financial obstacles . On Wednesday last week, the defence ministry confirmed that due to the postponement of the purchase of new fighter jets, the retirement of its Russian-made MiG-29N would be delayed for at least five years.
“We have decided to continue using ten of the 16 MiG-29N jet fighters after sending them for repairs and upgrades,” the New Straits Times quoted Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying. “We initially wanted to ground the [MiG] jets and sell them to a third country, but after much thought and deliberation, we have decided to hold on.”
The global economic downturn appears to have put a damper on Malaysian defence procurements. Since 2008, Kuala Lumpur has been careful not to announce any major orders but, rather, proceed with ongoing commitments. The defence procurement budget remains under strain as the government focuses on economic recovery.
(Excerpt) Read more at defpro.com ...
The headline reminds of the fellow on the subway who didn’t bring enough money to pay the fare to exit. His wife brought him a couple sandwiches every day and he just rode around.
“The headline reminds of the fellow on the subway who didn’t bring enough money to pay the fare to exit.”
He may ride forever neath the streets of KL - nah, it just doesn’t work, does it?
“The headline reminds of the fellow on the subway who didn’t bring enough money to pay the fare to exit.”
He may ride forever neath the streets of KL - nah, it just doesn’t work, does it?
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