Replacement For MiG-29N Fighter Jet In Evaluation Stage

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- The Defence Ministry of Malaysia is evaluating the offers made by several aircraft manufacturing companies in response to its plan to replace the MiG-29N jet fighters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Malaysian Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the ministry was looking into the capability and specifications of the aircraft manufactured by the companies concerned. He said the ministry was also looking into the package offered by the companies, including the reciprocal offer by the manufacturing companies, such as technology transfer and payment duration. No decision had been made yet, he told reporters at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition at the Putra World Trade Center here Tuesday. Since 2009, the Malaysian government had been considering to replace the Russian-made MiG-29N with the multi-role combat aircraft from other manufacturers, including the Eurofighter Typhoon. Currently, the Typhoon aircraft, measuring 15.96 metre in length and capable of flying more than 60,000 feet, is used by the air force in Britain, Italy, Austria, Spain and Germany. Malaysia bought its 18 MiG-29N aircraft in June 1994 for US$380 million (RM1.3 billion). --BERNAMA