LABUAN 31 May – The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has forwarded few proposals to the government to acquire new and sophisticated assets relevant to the current needs of the country.
Chief of RMAF, General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang said, RMAF plans to increase the air force defences assets but due to government’s financial constraints, it will not be realized soon.
“The most important thing is that the assets to be purchased and acquired have been shortlisted by RMAF and at the end of the day the government has to decide based on various aspects,” he said to the media at RMAF Base in Labuan recently.
Affendi was responding to the question whether the government is ready to purchase the France’s Rafale fighter jet to upgrade the Air Force’s assets.
“The Air Force power is critical to defend the sovereignty of the country. This is due to the geopolitical and geostrategic situations today that require a strong force to be launched at the forefront,” he said.
To make sure RMAF is always ready and prepared to face any consequences at par with the theme “Air Force Power is the Pillar of National Sovereignty” in its 59th anniversary celebration today (1st June) Affendi said: “We will make sure the capabilities of the assets we have for example the Hawks and Sukhoi are maintained and uplifted.
The Chief of RMAF also said the latest asset is the A400M aircraft that is bigger and able to carry more things at faster speed. Malaysia is the first country in Asia to use A400M.
He explained that A400M aircraft could carry helicopters from Sabah and Sarawak for services in Kuala Lumpur besides carrying things for humanitarian aids during conflicts and peaceful time at long distances.
“For human relief operations, A400M could carry a large amount of food, medicine and also an ambulance. We have four A400M and are sufficient for our needs,” he added.
Regarding the issue that the Japanese is offering P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Malaysia which went viral in the media, Affendi said, RMAF will send an evaluation team to study its suitability and its capacity to support operations before any decision is being made.
In conjunction with RMAF’s 59th Anniversary today, Affendi advised the Air Force staffs to work with integrity because safety aspects cannot be compromised and if otherwise happens, the negative impact will be on RMAF and the nation.
Commenting on the case of a former RMAF staff that was charged for corruption, Affendi said, let the law decides on him. –Malaysia World News.
