India has emerged as the frontrunner for a Malaysian requirement of light combat aircraft, with a package deal on the table that would include maintenance and spares for the nation’s Russian origin Su 30 fighter jets.
India has offered an attractive financial package for its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and has committed that it can keep Malaysia’s fleet of Su 30 jets flightworthy, given the vast spares reserve and technical expertise available with Hindustan Aeronautics NSE 1.46 % Limited (HAL).
Other contenders for the deal — primarily South Korea and China — are not in a position to offer this package as they do not have backend contracts with Russian manufacturers to work on the Sukhoi fighters. Malaysia has 18 of the Su 30 MKM fighters, which are very similar to the MKI version that is in service with the Indian Air Force.
It is learnt that detailed discussions on the dual package have taken place and a final decision may be possible under the government to government route. Several nations like Malaysia have been impacted by western sanctions on Russia that have made ordering spares and other supplies for legacy military equipment challenging.
The Malaysian air force has been scouting for 18 new light fighter jets, with the Indian LCA emerging as a top contender given its low acquisition cost and high technical ratings. India is offering the LCA Mk1A version with a modern AESA radar, new avionics and capability to integrate a variety of air to air and air to ground weapons. The Indian Air Force and Navy have also recently placed an order for indigenous Astra beyond visual range air to air missiles.
Senior teams from the Malaysian air force have visited India in the past to discuss the proposal. India is also offering to create a full maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the LCA fleet in Malaysia to ensure a high rate of availability.
The Indian LCA is priced at around $42 million per unit, a price made possible given economies of scale after the IAF placed an order for 83 fighter jets under the Make in India initiative. In 2019, India had dispatched two of its LCA fighters for the LIMA show at Langkawi as part of its efforts to pitch the jets for export order.
