SUBANG JAYA: About 40 per cent of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft are more than 20 years old.
RMAF chief Tan Sri Affendi Buang said only the A400, EC725 and Sukhoi planes were less than 20 years old.
“We have carried out continuous upgrades on our F18 aircraft,” he told a press conference at the RMAF Subang airbase in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of RMAF’s founding.
“Hence, they are new in terms of capabilities, weapon systems and sensors.
“The C130 planes have just passed the 20-year mark. We need to carry out upgrades.
“Our Nuri have served between 40 and 50 years. The components are good, but because the aircraft is old, the procurement of spare parts is an issue. Old assets incur higher costs than new assets.”
He said RMAF’s decisions on which assets to upgrade were based on what it had now and what it would need in the future.
“We need to figure out what we will face in 10 years’ time,” he said, adding that it took five to 10 years of planning to purchase new assets.
Affendi added that RMAF could face budget constraints because of the nation’s financial situation.
“We have to ask whether we can afford to buy what we want. The next question is, are we able to maintain the equipment in good condition.”