JF-17/FC-1 Fighter Aircraft thread
- Thread starter johnqh
- Start date
timepass
Brigadier
issued RFI ( Request For information) to five manufacturers:
Malaysian air force had sought information to procure 18 fighter jets with an option for 18 more and issued RFI ( Request For information) to five manufacturers including;
1. Russian Yak-130
2. PAC/CAC JF-17
3. KAI T-50
4. Aermacchi MB-339
5. Tejas
Malaysian air force had sought information to procure 18 fighter jets with an option for 18 more and issued RFI ( Request For information) to five manufacturers including;
1. Russian Yak-130
2. PAC/CAC JF-17
3. KAI T-50
4. Aermacchi MB-339
5. Tejas
Assuming that list is real, If they want a proper fighter and not a trainer, MB339 and yak130 have no chances. mb339 is an old model and quite possibly an error, as m346 seems more likely.
Out of the three that remain, Tejas is the unproven one. In theory, it's more capable than T-50, due to winer array of systems that can come with it... but Tejas has had its share of problems which don't seem quite solved. Then again, India and Malaysia are in pretty good relations and India might seek to give a deal of a lifetime to any one first export customer of Tejas, especially if it's friendly Malaysia.
T-50 is a good airframe, fairly capable, comes with political benefit of appeasing the US. But it's hurdled by a fairly poor assortment of systems cleared and integrated for it. And in all the years that list hasn't seem to have been increased. All the users seem to use it either as trainers, air policing planes (without BVR weapons) and light attack planes (simple bombs and maverick missiles). With just 18 airframes, I don't see Malaysia paying for integration of further systems, even if US somehow clears it.
JF-17 is the most capable plane of them all, especially if new variant is offered. Comes with a wide selection of systems and weapons. And it's probably cheaper than T-50, though possibly not as cheap as Tejas. Politics and relations between China and Malaysia will make or break this deal. I've tried googling it, but am still unsure whether Malaysia and Pakistan relations are better than india relations.
Of course, if malaysia is primarely interested in a low cost jet, then even yak130 and m346 have a chance. But ultimately, this seems like yet another contest where politics will decide the outcome.
Out of the three that remain, Tejas is the unproven one. In theory, it's more capable than T-50, due to winer array of systems that can come with it... but Tejas has had its share of problems which don't seem quite solved. Then again, India and Malaysia are in pretty good relations and India might seek to give a deal of a lifetime to any one first export customer of Tejas, especially if it's friendly Malaysia.
T-50 is a good airframe, fairly capable, comes with political benefit of appeasing the US. But it's hurdled by a fairly poor assortment of systems cleared and integrated for it. And in all the years that list hasn't seem to have been increased. All the users seem to use it either as trainers, air policing planes (without BVR weapons) and light attack planes (simple bombs and maverick missiles). With just 18 airframes, I don't see Malaysia paying for integration of further systems, even if US somehow clears it.
JF-17 is the most capable plane of them all, especially if new variant is offered. Comes with a wide selection of systems and weapons. And it's probably cheaper than T-50, though possibly not as cheap as Tejas. Politics and relations between China and Malaysia will make or break this deal. I've tried googling it, but am still unsure whether Malaysia and Pakistan relations are better than india relations.
Of course, if malaysia is primarely interested in a low cost jet, then even yak130 and m346 have a chance. But ultimately, this seems like yet another contest where politics will decide the outcome.
The main problem with the T-50 (or F/A-50, as the case may be) is Israeli avionics/radar - Malaysia does not even formally recognize the state of Israel IIRC!
Like totoro I strongly suspect the Leonardo entrant is in fact the M346. All in all, a somewhat strange selection of candidates with the arguable class leader (Gripen) conspicuously absent - I'd say the JF-17 has a very real shot at winning as a result!
EDIT: another thought - Malaysia may still have RD-33 maintenance infrastructure and expertise left over from their days of operating the MiG-29N (stored now). Possibly another leg up for the JF-17.
Like totoro I strongly suspect the Leonardo entrant is in fact the M346. All in all, a somewhat strange selection of candidates with the arguable class leader (Gripen) conspicuously absent - I'd say the JF-17 has a very real shot at winning as a result!
EDIT: another thought - Malaysia may still have RD-33 maintenance infrastructure and expertise left over from their days of operating the MiG-29N (stored now). Possibly another leg up for the JF-17.
Last edited:
timepass
Brigadier
See & listen below ... you doubts will clear ....
Malaysia has a stronger relationship with Pakistan, from the Muslim perspective. The immigration policies reflect this. The Indians in Malaysia were basically introduced during the British Colonial period. The only exception are Indian Muslims. So all things considered, if that list is real, I would expect JF17 as it includes a Chinese angle which Dr M has stated he preferred. However Malaysia already has MIGs so that would be factored it if MIGS are offered in. One thing for sure, Dr M has a bone with western sources so I think he is find a reason not to buy from them.
This is not a credible source. The pictures are mislabelled (that's not a YJ-12), and they're making unsubstantiated statements like the following:
" ...the JF-17 Block 3 is reportedly compatable with some of China’s most advanced air to air missile designs such as the PL-15 and later variants of the PL-12, as well as the . "
Where are those "reports" of PL-15/YJ-12 integration?
