Malaysia to buy 18 Russian Sukhoi fighter jets

0 Comments | Asian Political News, May 20, 2003

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 Kyodo

Malaysia has agreed in principle to buy 18 Russian-made Su-30MK fighter jets worth about $900 million, Defense Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Monday.

''This is a result of our modernization program. There is a need for combat aircraft, especially multirole combat aircraft,'' Najib told reporters after talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. The fighter jets will be delivered in mid-2006, Najib said.

Speaking through an interpreter, Ivanov, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for a three-day visit, said the deal will be sealed at a later date.

''The contract will come into force a bit later but major stipulations are now approved,'' he said.

The plan to buy the Sukhoi fighters was made in the early 1990s. The government wanted to beef up the existing fleet of older Russian MiG-29s, British-designed Hawks and U.S.-made F/A-18 Hornets.

The 1997 Asian financial crisis, however, affected the armed forces' plan to upgrade its firepower.

As the economy recovered, Malaysia went on a shopping spree, picking up French submarines, Polish tanks and now Russian fighter jets.

Malaysia was also in talks with Boeing Co. to buy F/A-18 Super Hornets, a deal that was valued at $1 billion. But the deal is now in limbo.

Najib declined to comment on the issue but analysts believe it has become a casualty of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's anger with the United States for its war on Iraq, as well as the weakening economy due to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Ivanov said, ''Russia is ready for cooperation with Malaysia and we are ready to supply Malaysia with sophisticated, cutting-edge technology.''

The purchase of the Sukhoi jets will be through counter trade, most likely with Malaysian palm oil.

''Malaysia may partly pay for the planes with the sale of commodities but this will be decided at a later date,'' Najib said.

Ivanov's trip to Malaysia was also intended to prepare for a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, tentatively scheduled before October.

Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted Ivanov as saying he and Najib agreed in their talks to jointly plan and hold military training exercises.

''I believe our Pacific Fleet will henceforth appear in the Indian Ocean much more frequently than before, and I shall do everything I can for this purpose,'' he reportedly said.

Russia and Malaysia have agreed that joint naval exercises will be held when Russian ships visit Malaysian ports as well as when Malaysian ships visit Russian ports, the minister said.