Malaysia to acquire Ex-RNZAF MB-339C

May 27 , 2003 19:04PM

M’sia Accepts New Zealand’s Offer To Sell 17 Aermacchi

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) — Malaysia has accepted an offer by the New Zealand Air Force to sell 17 of its Aermacchi jet fighters and trainer aircraft, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday.

He said Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) was short of trainers and the purchase of the Italian-made jet trainers from New Zealand air force would overcome the problem.

“The project is being looked into by the Finance Ministry. We see an opportunity to acquire more trainers,” he told reporters at the Subang RMAF base, here.

Earlier, he accompanied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail on a visit to the air force base.

New Zealand recently offered the 17 Aermacchi MB-339 to Malaysia after its parliament decided to rely on Australia to protect its air space and to downsize its air defence capability.

Najib said the Aermacchi aircraft used by the New Zealand Air Force was similar to eight of the 12 aircraft which the RMAF bought from Italy in 1983.

The decision to buy the 17 Aermacchi was to train more combat pilots for Malaysia’s fleet of jet fighters such as Su-30MKM and MiG-29, both Russian made, FA 18D Hornet and Hawks.

He said existing RMAF bases nationwide would be expanded and modernised to accommodate its large fleet of jet fighters.

“We will not build new bases because we have enough. The SU-30 will be stationed in Gong Kedak, Terengganu,” he said.

— BERNAMA