FA-50 and JF-17 are the finalists for Malaysian Air Force's Deal: Korea Times

[Dalit]

What happened to LCA?

 

[siegecrossbow]

How's F/A-50 better than JF-17 in current (latest) configuration and space for future important ?

Superior engine performance. Engine commonality with F/A-18 so reduced maintenance. FBW in all three degrees.

JF-17 has integrated BVR missile and probably has a greater weapons load/longer range and endurance.

 

[Ali_Baba]

If Malaysia is going to go for the JF17, it will be the Block III variant with an AESA radar and the new RD-93MA engine. At this level, the cost difference between the Block II and Block III is neglibile given the capabilties.

It comes down to what the purpose of the purchase is, military capability or not? The JF17 Block III is a frontline military platform with a 25year development roadmap ahead of it whereas the FX-50 is end of line given it is a LIFT trainer, and as such it does not warrant upgrades to it systems over the next 25years, etc.

Additionally, the cost of upgrades will be averaged out of a large base of fighters with it being spread between Pakistan, Nigeria, Myanmar and potentially 1 or 2 other customers.

 

[Saifullah]

Superior engine performance. Engine commonality with F/A-18 so reduced maintenance. FBW in all three degrees.

JF-17 has integrated BVR missile and probably has a greater weapons load/longer range and endurance.

Other than engine commonality, JF-17 is equivalent or arguably quite superior to F/A-50.
JF got FBW in all three axis, got better engine with better performance and it's better armed.
F/A-50 was designed and developed to be a LIFT aircraft, so not really an LCA.

 

[Trango Towers]

What happened to LCA?

Its on a truck waiting shipment before any order is placed. Its the best by far

 

[xyxmt]

I thought Malaysians were going to evaluate Tejas, after looking at it from a close up they decide not to evaluate it in the air.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

What happened to LCA?

Too advanced for MAF.

 

[gangsta_rap]

LCA will be selected.

 

[MastanKhan]

The JF-17 opens up more possibilities for the Malaysians as it is a more adaptable platform, especially because they are looking for a “light attack aircraft”. That is their requirement.

The Chinese and Pakistani manufacturers have a vast array of PGM munitions for the jet. The Nigerians have acquired the jet for the CAS role, and Pakistan’s Swift Retort proved the PAF is no paper tiger when delivering PGMs in a denied airspace with potential air defense and jamming.

Add to all this the access to the PL-15E and PL-10E allows the Malaysians a third source for A2A munitions. They already have access to American and Russian systems vis a vi the Hornets and Flankers respectively.

The Koreans will probably stop at 60 F/A-50 for the Air Force and may have a limited growth plan for the jets in mind, while the PAF knows its JF-17 will be the backbone of its Air Force for decades to come. Which is why acquiring the JF-17 will mean future growth every few years for the life of the aircraft is all but assured.

The F/A-50 brings nothing new to the Malaysian Air Force, while the JF-17 buys them political influence and the ability to hedge in a multipolar world. Ultimately, it will probably be primarily a political deal. Technologically the Chinese have caught up with everything the west and the Koreans have to offer.

Hi,

Thank you---well thought of comment.

JF17 is the tip of the spear that the PAF would carry into future real time air combat---.

For that reason---the JF17 will do the job with no excuses. Neither the Korean aircraft or the Indian aircraft have that position laid up for them---. They are just the second or the third line of defence aircraft---.

But then---in major weapons procurement---there are other factors involved as well.

 

[siegecrossbow]

PM claims govt doesn’t have much money left after Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reportedly said the federal government’s coffers have been significantly thinned out to prop up the economy and help...

www.malaymail.com

 

[SgtGungHo]

It seems like Malaysians want an advanced trainer as well. I doubt JF-17 is a competitive training platform. JF-17 of being equppied with a Russian engine which is has notoriously shorter MTBO (mean time between overhauls) than American engines is another issue.

The winner will be Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, though.

 

[SQ8]

How's F/A-50 better than JF-17 in current (latest) configuration and space for future important ?

Taking the holistic view and not knowing the version evaluated by RMAF so assuming it is the most up to date Block-II

Aircraft:
Avionics - nearly equal with the 2032 edging out on known modes
ECM - identical
Performance - nearly identical(on paper) with the JF-17 having a single digit edge on T/w and better rate of climb and ceiling.

Advantage - Thunder

LIFT capability - F/A-50 has the clear edge with the basic design focused on imitating other aircraft and parameters. LIFT was a key RMAF requirement, the JF-17B does only itself.

Advantage -Golden Eagle

Onboarding:
Logistics - The F/A-50 shares a common engine with a current RMAF frontline fighter (F/A-18) which means spares and knowledge is cross functional and aircraft techs will take lesser time to familiarize themselves.
The RMAF operated the Rd-33 but has not for the last few years so that knowledge will take time to regain along with spares.

advantage - Golden Eagle
Both aircraft have the common mil-bus but the F/A-50 can share weapons with the F/A-18 from day one with all codes authorized. The JF-17 will only be permitted the Sidewinder with all other weapons requiring OEM authorization which will never come because of the JF-17s origin. Although the Russians might relent because of the engine sales.

Advantage - Golden Eagle

Spares support - Malaysians have a good relationship and generally no territorial issues with any of the suppliers on the F/A-50 side. The Chinese do not have issues with the supply but there are territorial concerns that could potentially come up at some point.

Advantage - even(ish)

Diplomatic net result

If the F/A-50 is selected the Chinese will feel irked - they may not get palm oil and other smaller diplomatic nitpicks - but they need all the allies they can get so it wont be a complete abandonment. Pakistan really has no allies pool other than the usual disappointed “ummah” category.

if the JF-17 is selected - the stakeholders will possibly go as far as sanctions,severe diplomatic pressure and try to destabilize the current Malaysian government.

Advantage F/A-50

 

[Trango Towers]

It seems like Malaysians want an advanced trainer as well. I doubt JF-17 is a competitive training platform. JF-17 of being equppied with a Russian engine which is has notoriously shorter MTBO (mean time between overhauls) than American engines is another issue.

The winner will be Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, though.

Jf17B designed for not just fighting but training as well. Come on

 

[Polestar 2]

Taking the holistic view and not knowing the version evaluated by RMAF so assuming it is the most up to date Block-II

Aircraft:
Avionics - nearly equal with the 2032 edging out on known modes
ECM - identical
Performance - nearly identical(on paper) with the JF-17 having a single digit edge on T/w and better rate of climb and ceiling.

Advantage - Thunder

LIFT capability - F/A-50 has the clear edge with the basic design focused on imitating other aircraft and parameters. LIFT was a key RMAF requirement, the JF-17B does only itself.

Advantage -Golden Eagle

Onboarding:
Logistics - The F/A-50 shares a common engine with a current RMAF frontline fighter (F/A-18) which means spares and knowledge is cross functional and aircraft techs will take lesser time to familiarize themselves.
The RMAF operated the Rd-33 but has not for the last few years so that knowledge will take time to regain along with spares.

advantage - Golden Eagle
Both aircraft have the common mil-bus but the F/A-50 can share weapons with the F/A-18 from day one with all codes authorized. The JF-17 will only be permitted the Sidewinder with all other weapons requiring OEM authorization which will never come because of the JF-17s origin. Although the Russians might relent because of the engine sales.

Advantage - Golden Eagle

Spares support - Malaysians have a good relationship and generally no territorial issues with any of the suppliers on the F/A-50 side. The Chinese do not have issues with the supply but there are territorial concerns that could potentially come up at some point.

Advantage - even(ish)

Diplomatic net result

If the F/A-50 is selected the Chinese will feel irked - they may not get palm oil and other smaller diplomatic nitpicks - but they need all the allies they can get so it wont be a complete abandonment. Pakistan really has no allies pool other than the usual disappointed “ummah” category.

if the JF-17 is selected - the stakeholders will possibly go as far as sanctions,severe diplomatic pressure and try to destabilize the current Malaysian government.

Advantage F/A-50

I think a lot of people do not really understand malaysia armed forces history.. F-18 or american connect product are a cursed for Malaysia.

I will be very surprised if RMAF selected F/A-50. Just like why RTAF selected Gripen.

Definitely JF-17 is the forerunner. It's is JF-17 to lose if not selected by RMAF. The current ties of Malaysia and China is still quite good.

 

[airbus101]

Nice analysis