PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets are capable of remaining airworthy for about two more decades, the primary contractor maintaining the Russian-made aircraft said.
Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation Sdn Bhd (ATSC) CEO Lt Col (Rtd) Fadzar Suhada said the company was capable of ensuring the 16-year-old fighter jets – the country’s most advanced and sophisticated – were maintained until 2035, subject to the availability of parts.
He also said the company could completely overhaul the Su-30MKM in Malaysia – which they had done since 2007 – at half the cost, compared with if they were to be sent to Russia for the purpose.
It is understood that each Su-30 requires a sum of US$27 million to be completely overhauled for every 1,500 hours of flight or 10 years of operation.
“At least 70% of our maintenance crew are retired RMAF technicians and engineers, who have been hired owing to their vast expertise in handling the jets,” Fadzar said.
Malaysia is among the pioneer Southeast Asian users of Russian fighter jets, having acquired 18 MiG-29N Fulcrum in 1995, followed by 18 Su-30MKM in 2007.
With this procurement, Malaysia dropped its traditional dependence on either Britain, Europe or the United States for fighter aircraft.
The aged MiG-29N were decommissioned from the RMAF in 2015.
Malaysia recently announced plans to procure 18 Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 light combat aircraft by 2026 under a US$920 million deal.
(FMT)