CYBERJAYA: Malaysia can overcome all challenges to appropriately maintain Russian defence equipment and armaments.
A leading local defence industry top executive refuted reports that enforcement agencies like the Armed Forces would suffer a backlash, owing to western economic sanctions following the current Russian-Ukraine standoff.
Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation Sdn Bhd (ATSC) chief executive officer Lt Col (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Fadzar Suhada dispelled any notion to that effect.
"Any global economic sanction against Russia would have little or no affect in continuing to obtain spares, parts, services and technical input.
"Unlike some other fighter aircraft, the ones like the Sukhoi Su30-MKM Flankers (in use by the Royal Malaysian Air Force) are fully and readily supported by local industries like us.
"All aspects like the depot-level overhaul of such jets are formulated and regulated through indigenous formulae and mechanisms via smart partnerships between ATSC, the RMAF and other original equipment manufacturers (OEM)," he told The New Straits Times in response to media reports to the contrary.
The media reports had cited how countries like Turkey, China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar – that operate and utilise Russian equipment and armaments - would face uncertainties for spares and parts.
The reports said the United States and EU countries were imposing the sanctions to punish Russian president Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine.
In 2003, Malaysia and Russia signed a US$900 million contract for 18 Su-30MKM (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Malaysia or Modernised Commercial Malaysia) jets that were delivered from 2007.
In return for the purchase, Russia agreed to train and send a Malaysian astronaut to the International Space Station.
Fadzar assured that the procurement exercise for the RMAF's 18 Flankers - the country's most advanced and sophisticated fighter jets - was done on a long-term basis with technical, maintenance and engineering support in mind.
"The engineers and technical crew involved in maintaining the RMAF jets are experienced and qualified to undertake various technical solutions.
"Alternately, we have mechanisms to manage the supply chain via other countries and overseas agencies, including that of the OEMs and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) channels for spares and parts manufactured under licence.
"India, a major user of Russian armaments and fighter jets, is a fine example of the close defence cooperation we have and can rely on.
"So, too, do we have (another strong Russian ally) China as an alternate source," said Fadzar, a retired RMAF aircraft engineer.
He further explained that the procurement for aircraft spares and parts were well planned ahead of the required maintenance schedule.
"Through experience, we ensure that we are well stocked to cover a minimum of two years' requirement, so as not to interrupt operations for the RMAF.
"Furthermore, the joint-venture strategy and partnership between the supplier and end-user allows the delivery of spares and parts without immediate payments to the OEM.
"Hence, when sometimes there are lack of funds by the RMAF, the Russian OEMs make special allowances for immediate delivery," Fadzar said.
He added that unlike the arrangement with Russia, the terms and conditions for the supply chain for some other western aircraft were controlled in a different way.
"If economic sanctions are implemented, the procurement agreement allows for the supply of spares and parts to be terminated, immediately.
"This can have a very adverse effect on defence and security operations of a country, thus, threatening its sovereignty," he said.
Fadzar said the life-extension programme for the Flankers was successfully completed at its Sukhoi Technical Centre based at the RMAF's 12th Squadron at Gong Kedak, Jertih in Terengganu.
Fadzar had last year visited Moscow for a month's stint with a high-level technical delegation that met
with Russian top brass and key figures in several Sukhoi and Rosoboronexport manufacturing and maintenance plants in Ufa, Irkut and Moscow.
Both Ufa and Irkut have large Muslim communities working at the plants.
"We also met strategic executives involved with the engineering supply chain and marketing services.
"They also held negotiations with the Russia's influential Foreign Military Services Technical Committee," he said. Fadzar added that Rosoboronexport gave the assurance to ATSC and the RMAF that all aspects pertaining to regulations, original equipment manufacturer's warranty and, maintenance, repair and overhaul specifications would be met and adhered with.
The Flankers full refurbishment package is to the tune of RM400 million when done locally (as compared with the RM2.2 billion if it were to be done in Russia), until 2035.
The refurbishment package includes service life extension for the Flankers' airframe, avionics, weapons systems and overhaul of its engines.
"Although it appears an expensive affair, in reality, this is a huge cost-saving as the local entity is able to manage the task at only 70 per cent of that cost (RM2.2 billion).
"Additionally, the package allows for highly skilled Malaysian technicians and engineers to be employed, hence, providing job opportunities for locals," he said.
The deal further enhanced the entrepreneurial skills and capability of Malaysians in handling such a large task in the field of aviation and aerospace.
Fadzar added that despite the no-fly zone imposed by the European Union on its member states to Russia, other leading Asian countries continued to fly cargo aircraft there.
"It is business as usual as economies are opening up towards the endemic stage of Covid-19.
"The establishment of the Far East Economic Forum (in Vladivostok, east Russia) enables countries like Malaysia to access products and services in open markets through China, apart from Russia.
"Such a facility by the forum's leadership has created the motivation and sustainability for uninterrupted services to customers across the Asian continent," said Fadzar.
On another note, he said ATSC had demonstrated its capabilities, especially during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2019 exhibition.
ATSC, he said, had won recognition at the 'Malaysian Commercialisation Year 2019' awards by the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, as well as the 'Industrial Excellence Award 2000' by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile, a top Kremlin official assured that the RMAF Flankers would remain airborne for the next 15 years or so.
The official said that Russian authorities were determined to ensure that the Flankers were adequately serviced and maintained to remain airworthy at all times for the RMAF.
He further assured that all the necessary initiatives were being put into place to keep the multi-role combat jets' operational capability at its optimum level.
"We are working very closely with the RMAF, its authorised maintenance, repair and overhaul agent ATSC and the Malaysian government to ensure there is uninterrupted serviceability.
"More importantly, Russian pride and credibility is at stake as the Flankers are one of the most reliable fighter jets in the world.
"Hence, it is our duty to ensure that proper financing is provided for the availability of adequate parts and spares and maintenance is carried out as scheduled for the safe operation of the jets," said the official.
His comments dispelled any notion that Russian defence products, including aircraft, were unreliable, untrustworthy or difficult to maintain.
Apart from the RMAF, the Fire and Rescue Department's Air Division operates four Russian-built Mil helicopters – two Mi-17-IV and two Mi-171, while the Army had reportedly procured the Soviet Union-era air defence and anti-tank missiles, a long time ago.