Bersama Shield 2010
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Malaysia has an unusual air fleet, which includes Russian MiG-29s and very advanced SU-30MKMs, alongside 8 of Boeing’s F/A-18D Hornets. Southeast Asia is crowded, and contested claims over rich local resources occasionally makes it tense. Airpower is critical, but Malaysia’s slow efforts to pick a MiG-29 replacement, and the Hornet fleet’s age, have led the Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM) to look to F/A-18D upgrades as an immediate step.
Advanced ATFLIR surveillance and targeting pods have been part of that process. So, too, is the latest move to arm TUDM Hornets with the newest AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II short range air-to-air missiles. The AIM-9X-2’s 2-way datalink, thrust vectoring maneuverability, and advanced imaging infrared seeker even allow it to hit targets behind the launching fighter. The numbers so far indicate an initial testing and training buy, but it’s a start…
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Nov 8/11: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Malaysia’s official request for 20 AIM-9X-2 All-Up-Round Missiles, 8 CATM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles with no rocket motor or warhead, 4 CATM-9X-2 Block II Missile Guidance Units, 2 AIM-9X-2 Block II Tactical Guidance Units, 2 Dummy Air Training Missiles, containers, missile support and test equipment, provisioning, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, and other U.S. Government and contractor support.
If the sale is not blocked by Congress, and a contract is signed, the prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Company in Tucson, AZ. Implementation of this proposed sale will require travel of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Malaysia on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight.