KUALA LUMPUR: The sanctions against Russia by the United States and European Union countries have affected the maintenance of Malaysia's fleet of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flanker combat aircraft.
But Malaysia has enough supply of parts to keep the Sukhois airworthy for the next three years, said Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation Sdn Bhd (ATSC) chief executive officer, Lt Col (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Fadzar Suhada.
ATSC, a subsidiary of National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, maintains the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Flanker fleet.
"In the beginning of the military operation in Ukraine, we had a parts stockpile amounting to RM7 million. By the end of 2023, our parts inventory had increased to RM13 million. This is good for about three years," Fadzar said.
Besides Russia, parts were also sourced from India, a major user of the Su-30, with 272 examples of the MKI variant operated by the Indian Air Force. Fadzar told the New Straits Times this on the sidelines of the 9th Eastern Economic Forum here on Wednesday.
He was commenting on whether the global economic sanctions against Russia in light of its war with Ukraine had affected Malaysia's ability to obtain spares, parts, services, and technical input from Moscow.
In 2003, Malaysia and Russia signed a US$900 million contract for 18 Su-30MKM (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Malaysia or Modernised Commercial Malaysia) multirole combat aircraft that were delivered from 2007 onwards. Deliveries were completed in August 2009. The Flankers are operated by No. 12 Squadron, based in Gong Kedak.
In return for the acquisition, Russia agreed to train and send a Malaysian astronaut to the International Space Station.
"Sanctions against Russia have affected our supply chain. We are adjusting, but we are managing well since most of the maintenance work is done locally," Fadzar said.
"Our supply chain is still intact. (Following the sanctions), we need to adjust our remittances of funds to Russia accordingly."
He added that ATSC is looking at a potential non-US dollar BRICS payment system as an alternative to the globally-used SWIFT.
BRICS – a group of fast-growing economies challenging the West's global economic leadership – stands for Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined later.
BRICS' main objectives are to cooperate with member nations in terms of development, as well as to provide financial assistance, and support the various projects and infrastructure initiatives.
BRICS partners are trying to develop cross-border alternatives to US-dominated payment systems, such as SWIFT.