The 20 sidewinders should equip their F-18Ds.
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2011/Malaysia_11-36.pdf
It should make it the 2nd ASEAN air force to order this WVR missile after Singapore (who bought 200). This follows their previous order of 20 x AIM-120C5s AMRAAM missiles. Singapore has 400+ AIM-C5 and the more advanced C7 variant missiles equipping its fighter fleet.
Indonesia is also purchasing 24 F-16s which they intend to upgrade to the advanced blk 52 standard under the EDA program. However, there is currently no indication that any BVR missiles will be sold to the TNI-AF.
2nd hand F-16s are a good choice not only for Indonesia, but also for Malaysia. But then Malaysia hasn't bought anything second hand since the ex-RSAF helicopters in 1978. 2nd hand is not expensive enough for them.
Mahathir once referred to the arms race in saying, "you buy the F-16, we buy the F-18 and so on". Some said he really believes the F-18 is better based on the higher designation number.
As for Indonesia, they've said they wanted 180 Su-27s before. Before that they said they were buying a large number of Hinds.
F-16s won't happen for RMAF imho. Same reason why the IAF didn't for the F-16s i.e. regarded as old tech.
TNI have done so because they have been operating F-16s. There's a lot of synergy. Despite talk about similarity with the F-18s, the reality is that there's still a lot of investment that needs to go into introduction of the F-16 eg different engines etc. Maintainers, maintenance equipment etc is a lot of money to invest for 2nd hand aircraft.
It makes more sense for RMAF to go for F-18As and upgrade those. The Spanish got a few previously.
http://amarcexperience.com/AMARCArticleF18Hornet.asp
As mentioned in the AMARC website, many of these F-18s have a lot of airframe life left for the reasons stated. Having said that, RMAF doesn't appear to have plans to acquire any. Indeed, Boeing is discouraging such acquisitions (to fuel F-18E/F sales) and most of the tech upgrades is targeted at the E/F rather than earlier variants. It might be more costly to do so (unlike LM who has invested heavily in F-16 upgrades).
True, if they intend to be a long term F-18 user. However, commonality should not be an important reason in a decision to scale up the fighter fleet, since they only operate 8 F-18s, at this point 15 years+ old. Money will still be spent to replace or reset them at some point. Likewise for Indonesia, which only operates 4 serviceable F-16s.
Mahathir once referred to the arms race in saying, "you buy the F-16, we buy the F-18 and so on". Some said he really believes the F-18 is better based on the higher designation number
how about we buy F15???? malaysia cannot even get it new "U-boat" to work properly.
the Malays will buy whatever that will let them ''makan'' more money..............
Contract awarded during Lima.
Looks like the F-18s will have JHMCS integrated with the AIM-9X + GPS improvements for JDAM usage.
The avionics upgrades appear to be consistent with phase II upgrade which raytheon claims has similar ground mapping capabilities to the F-15E.
IFF capabilities are also enhanced.
Can't see the F-18s being dumped anytime soon. Its in very sharp contrast to how the Mig-29s performed in terms of service life. The capabilities now also compares well with the newer Su-30mkm.