PETALING JAYA: The Defence Ministry has submitted a report on the procurement of 36 light combat aircraft (LCA) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to the Finance Ministry for further action.
Caretaker Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the physical assessment and price negotiation for the proposed acquisition had been completed.
The ministry, he said, was currently awaiting a decision from the Finance Ministry.
"We definitely need the LCA, and I believe there will be no problem if I use the previous (procurement) method, where the assets are determined by the end user.
"This is my promise to the air force," he told reporters after attending a ceremony to send off the first batch of the new Malaysian Battalion (Mallbatt 850-10) peacekeeping force for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), at the Subang air base today.
Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz and Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang.
Commenting on the allegation of a lack of evaluation visits raised by tenderers, he said matters like this would be raised, especially with the 15th General Election (GE15) approaching.
"If you want to accuse, you need to include evidence, if something is wrong it's wrong, so give evidence to the relevant agencies so they can investigate," he said.
Previously, a total of eight international companies were reported to have bid for the tender to supply 36 LCA jets.
The proposed acquisition is to replace five BAE Systems Hawk Mk 108 two-seater LCA jets and 13 Mk 208 single-seat models that have been in use for over a decade, as well as seven Italian-made Aermacchi MB-339CM Fighter Lead In Trainer (FLIT)-LCA stationed in Penang.
Meanwhile, he said a total of 854 officers and members would be sent to join Malbatt 850-10 to undergo the Unifil peacekeeping mission in stages over the next 12 months.
Hishammuddin said the Unifil mission this time featured 84 officers and 770 others of various ranks, including a ministry civil servant, and they will be led by Colonel Mohd Rizman Ramli.
Malbatt 850-10 will also be accompanied by 30 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) which will feature two female personnel for the very first time.
"All of them will be mobilised in stages beginning today to carry out their mission officially for 12 months from Nov 13.
"Malbatt 850-10 will be placed in two permanent locations, namely the Ma'rakah and Tibnin camps, and will carry out tasks under Unifil's Sector West headquarters," he said.
Hishammuddin said the continuous involvement of the Malaysian armed forces in the peacekeeping mission showed that it was always ready and prepared to mobilise forces to meet requirements abroad, while it also reflected the world's recognition of our military's capabilities and expertise in carrying out peacekeeping missions. — Bernama