DTN News: Royal Malaysian Air Force To Fully Man SU-30MKM Flanker Multi-Role Combat Aircraft

Defense News: DTN News: Royal Malaysian Air Force To Fully Man SU-30MKM Flanker Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) GONG KEDAK AIRBASE, Malaysia - April 21, 2010: By September, operations at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here are expected to be an all-Malaysian affair. Gone will be the 50-odd Russian and Indian technical crew, engineering officers and instructor pilots following the end of their two-year service tenure.
RMAF chief Gen Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud said the departure of the expatriates would pose a strong challenge to the local airmen and women to stand on their own and operate the Sukhoi SU-30MKM flanker multi-role combat aircraft.
"We are confident (that we can) run the base and flight operations by ourselves, by which time there will be proper 'life support' maintenance and support facilities available," he said following a visit there by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on April 10.
During the visit, Zahid went on a demonstration flight on the Flanker, piloted by 11th Squadron executive officer Lt Col Muhamad Norazlan "Giro" Aris.
It is learnt that the RMAF will still utilise the services of 300-odd staff from local maintenance company ATSC Sdn Bhd to support a similar strength of its own crew to continue running the base.
The New Straits Times understands that two dozen RMAF pilots will by then be fully trained to fly the SU-30MKM.
"These pioneer RMAF crew members will train younger batches to replace them," said Rodzali. This will pose a stiff test for RMAF base commander Col Mohd Faudzi Ahmad, 11th Squadron commanding officer Col Suri Daud and their team.
While the Indians provided flight instructors, engineering officers, technical experts and administrative staff here, the Russians provided their test pilots and engineers to verify, certify and standardise the Flanker.
The base here is now Malaysia's foremost jet-fighter facility.
It was established in 1993, with nearby Bukit Puteri housing an air defence tactical radar for the RMAF's 321st Squadron.
By 2009, the ground-based 402nd air defence squadron and 11th Sukhoi Squadron were established.
To date, there are more than 1,000 servicemen and civilians stationed at the base, which is divided into two entities that nestle in an area straddling Kelantan and Terengganu.
The section housing the runway, technical and flight operations sits in Kelantan.
Across the border in Terengganu are the base administrative headquarters, staff quarters and other facilities like the flight simulator and meteorology station.Security is watertight, with double high-perimeter barbed fencing and closed-circuit cameras around the 1,400ha base, which is believed to have been developed at a cost of RM200 million ($86.04 million).
The base itself is equipped with giant hangars and hardened aircraft shelters to shield the jets from the scorching sun or in which to carry out maintenance work.
There is also the armaments and ordnance depot, and underground piping facility for aircraft refueling.
Zahid confirmed there were plans to expand the base to accommodate a new terminal for the arrival and departure of large transport aircraft, like the C-130 Hercules and VVIP jets.