Lost jet engines: 'Measures in place to prevent recurrence'

Air force chief General Rodzali Daud said weaknesses in the administrative system of the Royal Malayian Air Force (RMAF) that led to the lost F5-E fighter jet engines saga have been identified and initiative has been taken to rectify and prevent the recurrence of a similar incident.

Conceding that the episode had indeed tarnished the image of the RMAF and raised questions as to the capability of the RMAF in carrying out its responsibilities in defending the country's air space, Rodzali said a number of “specific measures” have been put in place to redress those weaknesses.

“To restore the image of RMAF, a number of specific measures have been put in place, especially to give a true picture of the RMAF's functions in defending the country's sovereignty from time to time," he said.

Rodzali said this in a special interview with Bernama in conjunction with RMAF's 52nd anniversary that falls tomorrow.

In January, an air force sergeant and a businessman were charged over the theft of two jet engines worth RM29 million that were discovered missing since 2007.

In addition to the two, Brigadier General Abdul Hadi Abdul Khatab and four other senior officers were reportedly made to retire over the issue.

They have since sued for wrongful dismissal , but lost their case about ten days ago.

The case was even brought to the attention of Parliament's Public Acccounts Committee .

In his interview with Bernama , Rodzali also said RMAF was now focussing its attention on the development of human capital to improve the expertise, knowledge, and to instill a positive approach among RMAF staff.

He said with RMAF adopting the theme of "Strategic RMAF Moving into the Future" air force personnel must be intellectuals with quality and move forward according to the demands of modernization.

"The Armed Forces in general, and RMAF in particular, have decided to recruit only those with degrees starting next year.

"Before this the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification or those equivalent to such qualification was enough but after this only those who are highly qualified will be recruited," said Rodzali.

He added that participation in missions carried out by the United Nations in Bosnia, Lebanon, Congo and Sahara, had also helped uplift the credibility of RMAF.

RMAF to beef up air defence

RMAF is also in the process of studying the capabilities of several fighter planes in efforts to procure state-of-the-art equipments to beef up RMAF's air defence.

A special team has been formed to study and identify the best type of fighter planes that can elevate the country's air defence in accordance with the rapid development, said Rodzali.

He said among fighter jets under the microscope are USA made F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a multi role combat aircraft (MRCA) that is capable of carrying out air and land combat capabilities.

"In accordance with the technological development and modernization of assets, RMAF needs significantly state-of-the-art fighter jets to remain competitive among countries in the region,"

Rodzali said RMAF would however, not only focus on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets but would also look at a number of options like Gripen and Eurofighter which are considered as high-tech fighter jets in their class.

He said the special team has also been tasked to study a number of other aspects like acquisition, capability, support services, cost and allocation set aside by the government. "RMAF has experience in handling F/A-18D fighters and we are studying the capabilities of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet which is regarded as more advanced and superior in its class," he said.

Though we are looking at other options, the capabilities of fighter jets currently in our possession, especially the SU-30 MKM which can carry out strategic and tactical combat in the air effectively, would not be overlooked, he said.

"RMAF already has two MRCA, namely F/A-18D and SU-30MKM, both have advanced technology to safeguard the air space. We are actually planning to upgrade the capabilities of non-MRCA standard fighter jets to MRCA level," he said.

He added that the MiG-29 fighter jets with technology of the 80s was still capable and relevant to maintain the country's air defence and functions as an interceptor and frontline air defence.

Rodzali said RMAF had also short listed the assets needed by RMAF and hoped the government would make such procurement based on studies carried out and the availability of funds.

"A reduction in budget cannot be prolonged as it will affect the rolling stock of spare parts needed in the armoury and thus have an impact on the capability of RMAF in the long run," he said.