Malaysia to upgrade her MiG-29s........ Again.
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RSK MiG is discussing with Malaysia upgrade options for its fleet of MiG-29s. MiG says it has offered an upgrade to the MiG-29SMT configuration, but acknowledges it is likely to be too expensive. The more basic MiG-29SM is also being offered and MiG says it is still waiting for a specification from the Malaysian air force. Irkut, meanwhile, says deliveries of the 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs Malaysia ordered in 2003 are due to begin in 2007.
http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/12/13/Navigation/177/203609/MiG-29+upgrades.html -
On a side note..
MY oso bought the A400M.. -
In case some of u dunno M'sia's Mig29 history, here it is.
In June 1992, Russia decided to clear the MiG-29S (but not the MiG-29M) and R-77 (NATO: AA-12 Archer) active radar-guided missiles for export. The export version proposed was the MiG-29SE 9.13SE, although this type was never built. It was basically the MiG-29S with some equipment downgrades and provision for Western navigation, communication, and IFF equipment. This program was to include a downgraded N019ME Topaz radar, a semi-active flight control system, strengthened internal wing structures and "wetting" to allow 3,000 kg of ordnance or three fuel tanks to be carried, and provision for R-77 missiles. At the time, no customer could be found because all potential buyers wanted more air-to-ground capabilities than those provided by the simple unguided weapons the aircraft could carry.
Due to the failure of MiG-29 export efforts since 1993, even when offered as a modernization of existing MiG-29 9.12 airframes, plans for a further improved variant were developed for the export market. It was called the MiG-29SD 9.13SD. The main difference between this aircraft and the MiG-29SE was the addition of a mid-air refueling probe on the left side of front fuselage. The aircraft's principle shortcoming of limited air-to-ground capability was not addressed, but all avionics and equipment were up to Russian Air Force standards with no downgrades. The only foreign customer for this version was found in June 1994, when contract for delivery of 16 MiG-29SD and 2 MiG-29UB for the Royal Malaysian Air Force was signed. The aircraft were locally called MiG-29N and MiG-29NUB, respectively
An interesting aspect of this sale was that the Royal Malaysians apparently thought they were purchasing MiG-29 9.13 version aircraft, which is distinguished from the 9.12 by having the Gardenya RF jammer. However, the delivered MiG-29SDs were based on 9.12B and lacked the jammer, which had not been cleared for export by Russian authorities. These aircraft were delivered in March-June 1995 and entered service with the No 17 and No 19 Squadrons of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). They differed from Russian 9.12 versions by their English cockpit markings; instruments scaled in feet, knots, and miles; and some Western navigation and communication equipment, including the AN/ARN-139 tactical air navigation system, GPS, an instrument landing system, and an IFF system.
Malaysia was not very impressed with the aircraft. The biggest problem was the low serviceability rate, caused mainly by the country's hot and wet climate. Initially, no change had been made to the avionics bay environment control systems. Russian service support was very poor and Malaysia decided not to buy any more MiG fighters. But the RMAF did decide to upgrade its aircraft to the "real" MiG-29SD standard and a contract to this effect was signed in October 1997. All single seat aircraft received a N019ZM Topaz ZM radar set, a reinforced airframe with 4,000-kg load capability (centerline and inside wing pylons with 1,000-kg load capability and outer wing stations with 500-kg load capability), provision for two under-wing fuel tanks, the ability to carry R-77 missiles, and a mid-air refueling probe. The aircraft rebuilt to this specification flew in April 1998. The upgrade of the remaining machines was conducted at Aerospace Technologies Systems Corporation at Kuantan, Malaysia, through late 1999 with Russian delivered kits.
And there u have it. Barter trade. -
Thanks to Shotgun for the info above.
So Malaysia's MiG-29N is in fact an export MiG-29SD. This means that even after the 1998 upgrade it is not likely to be as capable as the cancelled MiG-29M or the current production variant MiG-29SMT.
The latest MiG-29SMT-II and the MiG-29OVT are even more capable warplanes and they were offered to India to meet its 126 warplane requirement. Interesting note that the MiG-29OVT is also known as the MiG-35, probably an attempt to boost future sales.
The latest naval variant MiG-29SMTK has already been ordered by the Indian navy, comprising 16 orders with 30 options. -
Have anyone seen any malaysian fighter planes flying around before?
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Nope. And I hope not to see them too. =P
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Seen before. A single MiG-29N of the RMAF flying near KLCC when I was there in June this year.Originally posted by zeny:Have anyone seen any malaysian fighter planes flying around before?
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Invited guest i hope? Whats KLCC? Kallang CC?
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KL City CentreOriginally posted by Shotgun:Invited guest i hope? Whats KLCC? Kallang CC? -
Haha in Kuala Lumpur la, the very majestic shopping centre cum office complex.Originally posted by Shotgun:Invited guest i hope? Whats KLCC? Kallang CC? -
ooOO never take pictures?
I saw some pics on a malaysian forum. It showed the Mig-29 in final approach (blow 200ft AGL) on landing... really awesome. Best part was... it was just next to a busy road...
I mean, we hardly get to see our F-16s flying so low... was wondering what happens if the pilot accidentally crashed the plane into the road... hahaha. -
when i was in kuantan, i saw a pair of malaysian MiG-29s flying overhead..their engines were trailing faint black smoke...Originally posted by zeny:Have anyone seen any malaysian fighter planes flying around before? -
Oh, dun worry for the mig. The Mig-29 engines always trail smoke.
Thats its 2nd biggest disadvantage in combat. Easier to tally it. -
didn't some of their MiGs crash over the past few years?
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dun think it's mig-29s
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It was actually I think ....Originally posted by beavan:dun think it's mig-29s
and more than one infact ... dunno how many they have left now -
I think 2... MiG-29N and one NUB. Not sure... have to go check it up.
Oh apparently their 2-seater version doesnt have a radar. And most of their pilots who fly the Mig-29s have prior experience in the F-5. -
Eastern Region News
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November 09, 2004 22:44 PM
"We Saw MiG-29 Crash", Say Estate Workers
KEMAMAN, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Several workers at the Ketengah Perwira oil palm plantation in Bandar Cheneh Baru near here claim to have seen the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) MiG-29 fighter jet that was reported to have crashed minutes after leaving the Kuantan airbase at 10.20am Tuesday.
Syahirah Ishak, 28, told reporters she saw two planes flying past and a person fall from one of them before the plane crashed into the plantation.
"I only saw the fire (on the jet) at about 10.30am and saw what looked like a person fall down," she said, adding that she did not approach the crash site for fear of being scolded by the plantation management.
Indonesian worker Ahmed Herman Abdullah, 45, said he and two friends, who were harvesting oil palm fruits, heard the thundering noise of jets but thought they were on a training mission as they were flying low.
"Imagine our surprise when one of them suddenly crashed into the oil palm trees," he said, adding that the plane then quickly caught fire.
Saidon Rahmet, who also claimed to have seen the plane dive and catch fire, said: "We tried to go to the crash site but the terrain was too steep and wet after the rain."
Rudi Bagaman, 36, said the jet was flying too low before it went down. "It was terrible, just like in a movie. It caught fire but in 10 minutes a Nuri helicopter arrived and many troops got down," he said.
A check by Bernama at the crash site found only the tail of the charred jet visible, with parts of its body scattered all around.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced in Kuala Lumpur this morning that the jet crashed 16 nautical miles Northwest of Kuantan airbase at 10.22am and the pilot ejected safely.
Preliminary reports said its engine caught fire before it crashed. Two other MiG-29 jets from the 19th squadron were flying with it in a normal training mission.
-- BERNAMA
This accounts for 1 lost Mig-29. -
I thought I had an encounter with the MIG-29 when I was pottering about at Muar, then and again, I could not really identify the plane which was flying really high-up, but it did leave vapour trails behind it.
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Was the vapor trail black or greyish or white?
If its white... maybe not. Heh... as mentioned, MiG-29s have a faint black trailing smoke. -
i found the pic i took when i was in kuantan, malaysia...this was with my handphone cam...can't really tell they're MiG-29s here, but they were and i know a fulcrum when i see one
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haha can't see nuts here...nice big pic with nth but 2 dots if u ask me..
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Tally-Ho Mig-29s! 2 O'clock high!
Its hard to tell the difference between the Mig-29 and F/A-18s at such distance, but thats where intelligence comes into play.
Those 2 are probably about 15 angels.
Can spot the lil black/grey smoke trail behind the MiG-29A. Those are not contrails. its the Mig's engine.
The F/A-18 dun have this trail if I am not wrong.
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Recently on a Discovery channel programme called 'Ultimates',they mentioned that F-15's wing tips leave trails like streaks of light when the eagle hits the afterburner,which makes the eagle visible and susceptible to ground AA units,esp at nite....has tis problem been considered by DSTA?Originally posted by Shotgun:Tally-Ho Mig-29s! 2 O'clock high!
Its hard to tell the difference between the Mig-29 and F/A-18s at such distance, but thats where intelligence comes into play.
Those 2 are probably about 15 angels.
Can spot the lil black/grey smoke trail behind the MiG-29A. Those are not contrails. its the Mig's engine.
The F/A-18 dun have this trail if I am not wrong.[/url]