Malaysia is considering the purchase of "Airborne Warning and Control System" (Awacs) aircraft but faces financial constraints at the moment, Defence Minister Najib Razak said today.

"There is certainly a need for this in the future but not at the moment," Najib said in response to questions over reports that the Royal Malaysia Air Force was hoping to buy four Awacs at more than a RM1 billion each.

But, he said, the ministry had yet decided to buy the systems.

Crucial element

"The purchase of such sophisticated aircraft will incur huge expenses and require proper planning. Therefore it cannot be done hastily. Furthermore the government is not in a position to do so financially," Najib said.

Awacs -- an early warning and control system for surveillance, command and control functions -- is considered a crucial element in air and maritime defence, as it allows the armed forces to identify and handle possible threats from a distance.

Airforce chief Abdullah Ahmad was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times today that an early purchase of Awacs was possible if a deal could be struck involving long-term payments or barter trade.

He said four aircraft were the minimum required to ensure adequate defence surveillance.

Arms spree

"An assessment team is looking at all possible aircraft and systems. We will see which is the most appropriate for us," he said.

The New Straits Times said three types of aircraft were being considered, including the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, a current favourite of the US Navy, the Boeing 737 AEW&C, and the Brazilian Embraer EMB-145.

Malaysia has in the past year embarked on a major arms procurement spree , ordering 18 Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia, three French submarines, British and Russian missile systems and 48 tanks from Poland. AFP