Malaysia looks for new L.C.A

[Last starfighter]

Malaysia kicks off search for new light combat aircraft
By Greg Waldron24 June 2021
Kuala Lumpur has kicked off its tender for 18 jets to fulfil its Lead In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft, or FLIR-LCA, requirement.

In a brief statement on the government’s tender web site, it states that the due date for replies is 22 September 2021.

Source: Greg Waldron/FlightGlobal
India’s Tejas performed its first overseas flying display at LIMA 2019 in Langkawi
The LCA requirement was part of the air force’s Capability 55 plan issued in 2018, outlining its goal of reaching a desired force structure by 2055.
The LCA opportunity attracted some interest at the last instalment of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) event in March 2019.

The event saw the Hindustan Aeronautics Tejas Mk 1 and Yakovlev Yak-130 make their debuts at the show.

The appearance of the Tejas was especially notable because it was the first time the type had appeared in a flying display outside India. The Yak-130 also appeared on both static and in the flying display.

The pair were part of an eclectic group apparently vying for the requirement, following a previous request for information to several manufacturers.

Other potential contenders included the Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50, Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17, and Leonardo’s M-346.

Source: Greg Waldron/FlightGlobal
The Yak-130 at LIMA 2019
The Tejas and JF-17, however, are full-fledged fighters, with two-seat variants only developed later in the two programmes.

BAE Systems, which supplied Malaysia’s fleet of Hawk 108 trainers and Hawk 208 attack jets, has also said that capability can be added to its aircraft through various upgrades.

Budget-strapped Malaysia has a long history of procrastinating about major defence acquisitions. For years it flirted with several aircraft to replace its now-retired Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters with 18 new combat aircraft, but this process came to nothing.

Nonetheless, Kuala Lumpur recently received a reminder that modern combat aircraft are a necessity in an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment.

Source: Greg Waldron/FlightGlobal
A Hawk 208 of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
On 1 June, 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force Xian Y-20 and Ilyushin Il-76 strategic transports featured in an unprecedented sortie deep into the South China Sea region. The large formation flew southwards toward the coast of Borneo, approaching to within 60nm (111km) of Malaysian territory, where they were intercepted by Royal Malaysian Air Force Hawk 208s.

In an analysis about the event, Euan Graham of the International Institute of Strategic Studies offered a few possibilities for the mission. Beijing may have wanted to give Malaysia pause about exploiting new offshore oil resources in Kuala Lumpur’s Exclusive Economic Zone – defying international law, Beijing claims virtually the entire South China Sea.

He adds that Beijing may also have been conducting airlift training, and possibly probing Malaysia’s air defence capabilities.

 

[Deltadart]

According to the Hindustan aeronautics officials, the mere fact that the tejas reached the air show without crashing on route is a major milestone for the Vedic plane.

Moreover, the company officials reportedly plan to offer a BOGO deal on tejas to desperately clinch an order from the host nation. However, company officials admitted in private, that it is proving to be very difficult to find another sucker for the plane, like the IAF.

 

[CAPRICORN-88]

It is a just case of polite RMAF evaluators treating themselves to free lunches but mark my word, LCA won't be selected.

I will tell you all why in time.

Hint: How indigenous is LCA?

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

HAL is all set to respond to Royal Malaysian Air Force’s RfP for LCA
The Malaysian Air Force has sent out a global request for low-cost light fighter aircraft.

• By: Huma Siddiqui

Tejas is an advanced Fly-by-wire (FBW) fighter which has been designed, developed, and manufactured by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL. (Image: HAL)
Related News


By the end of September 2021, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expected to respond to a Request for Proposal (RfP) from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The Malaysian Air Force has sent out a global request for low-cost light fighter aircraft.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top officer has confirmed to Financial Express Online “The Company will be responding to the RfP from RMAF for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) `Tejas’. And it has to be sent at the end of September.”
As has been reported earlier this year, on the sidelines of the 13th edition of Aero-India, R Madhavan, chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has told Financial Express Online that “Several Southeast Asian and Middle East countries evinced interest in the indigenous LCA `Tejas’ Mk 1A fighter aircraft.”
“At a vanilla price of just Rs 309 crore per aircraft, the export version of the fighters are going to be different from those which are going to be inducted in the Indian Air Force (IAF),” he added.
While the aircraft will be exported at the price of Rs 309 crore (making it the cheapest fighter globally), there will be extra charges for the services to be provided overseas.
The RMAF had first expressed interest in `Tejas’ LCA from HAL in 2019. For the first time ever `Tejas’ showcased its might during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia.
The South Asian country has invited proposals from various competitors including: FA-50 light attack aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI); M-346FA Fighter Attack aircraft variant developed by Leonardo, of Italy; Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft developed by United Aircraft Corporation of Russia; and JF-17 of China.
India’s ‘Tejas’ had its first international exposure during the Bahrain International Air Show back in 2016.

More about the LCA Programme
Because of the government’s efforts, the Tejas program has received a major shot in the arm in boosting the Atamanirbhar drive in the aerospace and aeronautics.
According to a top officer, “The production rate for this increased requirement by IAF is being augmented by HAL from 8 to 16 aircraft every year through the creation of a state-of-the-art new facility in Bengaluru.”
Tejas would have the highest level of indigenisation in comparison to any programme of this scale with progressive indigenisation of critical technologies, thereby making India a technologically self-reliant nation. The programme would check out the developing technologies indigenously.
“LCA-Tejas program follows the system integrator model and has created a national aerospace ecosystem with the participation of more than 560 companies from large to SMEs which encompass all the facets of aircraft design and manufacturing. It is estimated that once the LCA MK1A program in India kicks-off, primary jobs to a tune of 5000 are expected to be generated across the country. The programme will foster local industry and drive skill development of young Indian workforce.”
“More than 200 Indian companies are involved in tooling, GSEs, and GHEs supplies for the program. Till date the LCA program is estimated to have produced 50,000 primary and secondary jobs across the nation. And, in the country’s aerospace history, the LCA-program enabled partnership with Indian private players manufacturing aircraft fuselage and wings. Some of the major companies contributing in the LCA programme from the private sector are VEMv technologies, L&T, DTL, Alpha Toccol, TAML, Data Patterns, Pendios, Compupower and many others,” said the officer quoted above.
What is Malaysia looking at?
The country is planning to buy 36 light combat aircraft (LCA) which will be added to its existing fleets in the Air Force.
According to reports, Malaysia is assessing India’s Tejas, Chinese JF-17 and F/A 50 of South Korea.
If and when the LCA gets exported, the whole programme will get a much-needed boost and HAL will get international recognition in the global market for its design capabilities and the product will also get validated.
Tejas specifications & Speed:
It is an advanced Fly-by-wire (FBW) fighter which has been designed, developed, and manufactured by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL.
It is a 4+ generation fighter and comes with a glass cockpit with Satellite aided Inertial Navigation System.
It is capable of firing Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, can carry air-to-surface, air-to-air, precision-guided and standoff bombs and precision-guided munitions. It can hit targets over land or sea.
The aircraft can be refuelled mid-air which will increase its combat radius.
The Made in India aircraft has a height 4.40 metre, wingspan of 8.20 metre, and length of 13.20 metre, and maximum speed is supersonic at all altitudes. It has a service ceiling of 50,000 feet and ‘g’ limits +8/-3.5.



HAL is all set to respond to Royal Malaysian Air Force’s RfP for LCA

 

[PDF]

While the aircraft will be exported at the price of Rs 309 crore (making it the cheapest fighter globally), there will be extra charges for the services to be provided overseas.

309 Crore INR = 41 million USD

Cheapest!

 

[Tornado23]

It will either be the JF17 or the fa50

Most likely jf 17 over the tejas

Possible reasons as to why:

Combat proven: Jf17 has actually been used in combat, whether its the JF17 performing CAS/air strikes on terrorists to the JF17 fighting off the Indian airforce in operation swift retort. It is still combat proven.

Cost: the JF17 block 3, the magnus opum of the JF17 series so far, is slated to cost around $30 million at most. The tejas is to cost around 41 million per unit.... You can do the math

Capabilities: the blk3 features an AESA coupled with the pl10 (20km range HOBS) and PL15 (200KM+ range) a2a missiles. This compared to the tejas with its aesa radar, python 5 (25km HOBS) and the astra MK1 (105-110km). The tejas is severely outgunned by the JF17. Its combat range is also measly. The JF17 offers 1350km range where as the tejas has 500km range.

The JF17 has flown much more hours and is a much more mature platform than the tejas. Its also satisfied all its customers so far, (Pakistan, Nigeria and Myanmar) unlike the tejas which has failed to gain a single export customer

 

[iLION12345_1]

It will either be the JF17 or the fa50

Most likely jf 17 over the tejas

Possible reasons as to why:

Combat proven: Jf17 has actually been used in combat, whether its the JF17 performing CAS/air strikes on terrorists to the JF17 fighting off the Indian airforce in operation swift retort. It is still combat proven.

Cost: the JF17 block 3, the magnus opum of the JF17 series so far, is slated to cost around $30 million at most. The tejas is to cost around 41 million per unit.... You can do the math

Capabilities: the blk3 features an AESA coupled with the pl10 (20km range HOBS) and PL15 (200KM+ range) a2a missiles. This compared to the tejas with its aesa radar, python 5 (25km HOBS) and the astra MK1 (105-110km). The tejas is severely outgunned by the JF17. Its combat range is also measly. The JF17 offers 1350km range where as the tejas has 500km range.

The JF17 has flown much more hours and is a much more mature platform than the tejas. Its also satisfied all its customers so far, (Pakistan, Nigeria and Myanmar) unlike the tejas which has failed to gain a single export customer

Most like the FA-50 over both, everyone in the region is getting it, it’s next version is getting AIM120 so it’ll have BVR too. Tejas is less likely due to the above mentioned reasons + Israeli parts. FA-50 similarly has Israeli parts but less so, that might be the one demerit of FA-50 for Malaysia, but they might not care.
JF-17 is good but China and Malaysia are at odds recently, the sale might be hampered by that. Especially since all the weapons/munitions are Chinese on it.

It’s still anyone’s game but I’d say FA-50 is most likely.

 

[HostileInsurgent]

It will either be the JF17 or the fa50

Most likely jf 17 over the tejas

Possible reasons as to why:

Combat proven: Jf17 has actually been used in combat, whether its the JF17 performing CAS/air strikes on terrorists to the JF17 fighting off the Indian airforce in operation swift retort. It is still combat proven.

Cost: the JF17 block 3, the magnus opum of the JF17 series so far, is slated to cost around $30 million at most. The tejas is to cost around 41 million per unit.... You can do the math

Capabilities: the blk3 features an AESA coupled with the pl10 (20km range HOBS) and PL15 (200KM+ range) a2a missiles. This compared to the tejas with its aesa radar, python 5 (25km HOBS) and the astra MK1 (105-110km). The tejas is severely outgunned by the JF17. Its combat range is also measly. The JF17 offers 1350km range where as the tejas has 500km range.

The JF17 has flown much more hours and is a much more mature platform than the tejas. Its also satisfied all its customers so far, (Pakistan, Nigeria and Myanmar) unlike the tejas which has failed to gain a single export customer

JF-17 has the least chances because of being a chinese plane and malaysia and china has
ve an ongoing dispute in south china sea, also recently plaaf violated malaysia’s adiz.

 

[iLION12345_1]

JF-17 has the least chances because of being a chinese plane and malaysia and china has
ve an ongoing dispute in south china sea, also recently plaaf violated malaysia’s adiz.

I agree, JF-17 or Tejas are definitely not the favorites. FA-50 is. Though I wouldn’t say Tejas has any better chances than JF. Remember, Israeli tech, doesn’t go well with all Muslim countries, Malaysia has shown apprehension to it in the past but I have a feeling they might not this time.
It’s no point speculating with how long Malaysia is taking, best to just wait and see, they will pick what’s best for them, that doesn’t automatically make it the best aircraft, nor does it make the rest bad.

 

[HostileInsurgent]

I agree, JF-17 or Tejas are definitely not the favorites. FA-50 is. Though I wouldn’t say Tejas has any better chances than JF. Remember, Israeli tech, doesn’t go well with all Muslim countries, Malaysia has shown apprehension to it in the past but I have a feeling they might not this time.
It’s no point speculating with how long Malaysia is taking, best to just wait and see, they will pick what’s best for them, that doesn’t automatically make it the best aircraft, nor does it make the rest bad.

See, FA-50 will be selected, Malaysia will buy FA-50 which is more exported and has American hand as well.

 

[iLION12345_1]

See, FA-50 will be selected, Malaysia will buy FA-50 which is more exported and has American hand as well.

JF-17 has more exports and many more Sales as a fighter than FA-50. It’s The T-50 variant that is a successful trainer aircraft.
The FA-50 couldn’t compete with light fighters because it didn’t have any BVR capability, they’re working to integrate AIM120 on it, if they can do that then it will be a light fighter contender, however it still won’t have the same range, radar, load, EW/ECCM and targeting pods, munitions etc as JF-17 or even Tejas. It is still a good option for countries who want American weaponry/need a smaller aircraft and don’t have many A2A roles for it.

In Malaysia’s case As long as it’s Israeli radar doesn’t make an issue I’m certain they’ll go for it. Most likely they will switch it for American AN/APG-67 as they did with Iraqi T-50, this is something that’s not an option for the Tejas though, so they’d have to hope Malaysia is okay with all the Israeli stuff. Otherwise it is definitely hurting the Tejas’ chances.

The issues with China aren’t a deal breaker in the JFs case either due to Malaysia’s relations with Pakistan and it being the cheapest option despite being basically the most capable of all of these in its current form. However it certainly is a rather large demerit In the munitions category and will hurt its chances too.

That's why I think FA-50 is the most likely candidate.

 

[HostileInsurgent]

JF-17 has more exports and many more Sales as a fighter than FA-50. It’s The T-50 variant that is a successful trainer aircraft.
The FA-50 couldn’t compete with light fighters because it didn’t have any BVR capability, they’re working to integrate AIM120 on it, if they can do that then it will be a light fighter contender, however it still won’t have the same range, radar, load, EW/ECCM and targeting pods, munitions etc as JF-17 or even Tejas. It is still a good option for countries who want American weaponry/need a smaller aircraft and don’t have many A2A roles for it.

In Malaysia’s case As long as it’s Israeli radar doesn’t make an issue I’m certain they’ll go for it. Most likely they will switch it for American AN/APG-67 as they did with Iraqi T-50, this is something that’s not an option for the Tejas though, so they’d have to hope Malaysia is okay with all the Israeli stuff.

LCA will have Astra BVR missiles, and radar can be replaced by Uttam radar, which earlier was bigger in size and hence wasn’t able to fit inside LCA radome, now it is and will be fitted in MK1A, also India can unilaterally sell them weapons that can be employed on LCA, currently it uses foreign missiles because we have stock of only foreign missiles. Which gradually will change.

 

[halupridol]

This is the kind of useless news ,, which PR officials of chai biskut orgs(read Hal, dodo et all) peddle and dpsu bhakts gulp up proudly to regurgitate all over the net. Oblivious of any truth.
Just plain shameless.

 

[iLION12345_1]

LCA will have Astra BVR missiles, and radar can be replaced by Uttam radar, which earlier was bigger in size and hence wasn’t able to fit inside LCA radome, now it is and will be fitted in MK1A, also India can unilaterally sell them weapons that can be employed on LCA, currently it uses foreign missiles because we have stock of only foreign missiles. Which gradually will change.

Neither of Those will come in time for the Malaysian tender. JF Block 3 prototypes were flying years earlier. It is currently under serial production at PAC (PL-10 is already integrated on to it and the upcoming PL-15 has a longer range than Astra). It will be ready for deliveries by the start of the next year. Chinese-Malaysia tensions are definitely an issue but if Malaysia is interested then China will not cause issues for its export from their side. Pakistan is doing all the marketing for it with Malaysia. It’s also the cheapest.

MK-1As first order, which is for the IAF, won’t be here till 2024, so Malaysia will have to wait past that or until HAL can get it’s second production line up (which happens to be for other aircraft and not Tejas anyways). Even the First 40+ MK-1As won’t have UTTAM but Israeli radars because UTTAM isn’t fully integrated yet, india has already bought the Israeli radars for them. If Malaysia doesn’t mind waiting several more years then Tejas is actually a decent pick for them too (granted they could just okay the Israeli systems too, but that remains to be seen).

At the end of the day all of our speculations could just be wrong, they will pick whatever they think is best for them, in which case all of the aircraft are still possible, I just think they will prefer FA-50 if possible.

This is the kind of useless news ,, which PR officials of chai biskut orgs(read Hal, dodo et all) peddle and dpsu bhakts gulp up proudly to regurgitate all over the net. Oblivious of any truth.
Just plain shameless.

Actually kind of accurate, it’s like every 4 months there’s a compulsory meeting at HAL and DRDO to tell the world they’re ready to export their products and how their “next gen everything” will be ready “XYZ” years down the line. You rarely see other companies showing off their products this much before they’re actually in done with producing a few or they’re in service. It’s not that india can’t make stuff, it’s that they have trouble following timelines and this unnecessary show-off often makes them look bad when they can’t.

 

[Tornado23]

JF-17 has the least chances because of being a chinese plane and malaysia and china has
ve an ongoing dispute in south china sea, also recently plaaf violated malaysia’s adiz.

It has a much better chance than the tejas because of the fact that it doesn't use any Israeli tech