it is not only them..

yayaya.. your beloved SG operating them as well. ok anymore? move on

why they always offer F-16 instead of...idk F-15 or F-18 maybe...

Pemilihan pesawat sebagai kandidat pengganti F-5E TNI AU dimulai dengan melirik berbagai jenis pesawat  tempur modern, diantaranya pesawat tempur Sukhoi Su-30 MKI,  F-15 SE Silent Eagle, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 E/F Block 60/62, Rafale-B, F-18 E/F Super Hornet,  Su Su-35 Flanker dan JAS-39 Gripen NG.

http://tni-au.mil.id/berita/mencari-pengga...5e-tiger-tni-au

Budget 2016 Capable Of Strengthening National Security Forces

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The strength and capability of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in ensuring safety and security in the country can be enhanced through the allocations provided under the 2016 Budget.

A total of RM31.2 billion is allocated for the three security forces to implement their capacity-building plans.

ATM chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the RM17.3 billion allocation given to the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of six Littoral Combatant Ships, Very Short Range Air Defence weapons system, armoured vehicles and the A-400M Airbus, was indeed something that they had been waiting for.

"The procurement of the six ships in stages will increase ATM's strength, capability and level of preparedness in protecting the country's sovereignty and security," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

He said the RM523 million allocated for the development of an Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) armed forces camp in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, Sabah, would not only strengthen the operation of the forces, but would also reduce ATM's expenditure, especially in the cost of logistics.

Zulkifeli also lauded the announcement that RM160 million would be provided to build 4,000 quarters for ATM personnel.

Meanwhile, MMEA director-general Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said the allocation of RM865 million given to the agency for the acquisition of Offshore Patrol Vessels and patrol boats would definitely help its capability to safeguard national maritime areas, especially in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The presence of those assets would also enhance the confidence level among the international players in the maritime industry on Malaysia's capability.

"These vessels and patrol boats will allow us to always be present at sea for quite a long time, even during bad weather," he said.

He said the MMEA personnel in charge of the assets could also make optimal use of the assets to explore new areas of expertise and skills to be at par with their counterparts in the developed countries.

Head of the National Council of Professors' Political, Security and International Affairs Cluster, Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, on the other hand, said the allocations to improve security level and inventory were very important.

He said since the country was facing various and complex threats, including militants, border intrusions and other modern and organised crimes, the security forces need to improve their strength to protect the country.

The economy would not be able to grow if emphasis was not given to the defence industry.

"This is also important to restore the confidence of investors and the public...the increased allocation for the security forces is important and should not be questioned...we cannot compromise in matters concerning national security," he said.

Meanwhile, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) chief executive Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin in a press statement said the multiple initiatives put in place for the ATM were indeed laudable, particularly the RM160 million allocation to build 4,000 quarters for its members.

He said further to this, LTAT planned to build 2,000 affordable housing units for the armed forces personnel from 2016.

"On the RM17.3 billion allocated for the procurement of six Littoral Combatant Ships, this is indeed a laudable move, given that we are one of the key participants in the maritime sector via the listed subsidiary Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad.

"This year's national budget certainly holds much promise, reflecting the government's and the prime minister's commitment to sustainable growth while taking into consideration the welfare of all Malaysians," he said.

-- BERNAMA

BY YASMIN RAMLAN

Published: 22 October 2015 6:23 PM

Putrajaya today signed an agreement to buy two Agusta Westland AW139 helicopters even as it cuts down on subsidies and expenditure amid the dwindling economy.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi witnessed the signing of the contracts, memorandum of understanding and letters of acceptance, worth RM535.7 million at the General Police and Special Equipment Exhibition and Conference (GPEC) Asia today.

"Eight units of AG JAWS Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) will also arrive in the country by year end," he said.


Early this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the postponement of several projects including the National Service for a year to save RM400 million as part of the government's rationalisation plan.
He said the government's expenditure was expected to reduce by RM5.5 billion through a re-evaluation of priorities in expenses.

Budget 2015, unveiled last October, had a forecast expenditure of RM273.9 billion and income of RM235.2 billion. This was based on the price of oil at USD100 per barrel.

The decline in oil prices has led to a massive downfall of the ringgit as Malaysia is a major oil exporter.

Economists have said that there was a need for Putrajaya to relook its budget. – October 22, 2015.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/as-putrajaya-cuts-expenses-home-ministry-buys-two-choppers-in-rm500-million

Perhaps this fella doesn't know that our civil services are in great need for helos with better performance. Didn't know that an overworked PDRM Ecureuil crashed during flood relief ops not so long ago. And that only a few helicopters could reach survivors during the Mount KK earthquake.

The title itself is misleading. RM500 million for just two helicopters?? Wasn't it suppose to INCLUDE 8x AG JAWS APCs?

Regarding the APC purchase, perhaps the writer should be sent to cover patrols in ESSCOM.

On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed that US special forces in coordination with Iraqi and Peshmerga forces carried out a raid and hostage rescue at an ISIL compound in Iraq. The raid resulted in the freeing of 70 hostages, and the first US casualty in the war against ISIL.

Carter clarified that the US participation in the raid does not mean Washington is taking on a combat role in Iraq.

However, no Arab units have received any of the ammunition so far, Bandar al-Humaydi, head of the al-Sanadid militia, told a McClatchy reporter by phone on Tuesday.

"We got nothing, and it’s not clear at all [if we will],” al-Humaydi said.

“Maybe our partners, the Kurds did,” added his father, Sheikh Humaydi Daham al Hadi, head of the Shammar tribe.

“I don’t know where they went,” the commander of Thuwar al-Raqqa, an Arab unit that is part of Burkan al-Furat, told the Washington Post. “There are also front lines in Hasakah, so maybe the ammunition will be used there.”

Pratt spokesman Matthew Bates said Friday, "Pratt & Whitney has not been notified by the Canadian government that Canada has changed its position regarding participation in the F-35 Lightning II program. We value Canada's continued involvement in the F-35 program and we will support the Canadian government as it evaluates the requirements for replacing its aging CF-18 fleet."

You know, the Syrians have got everything they need – tanks, APCs. But they haven't got the right mentality. It's a bit like it was in Chechnya… The guys sell everything on to the enemy!... You remember the war in Ossetia? It's the same generals from the 58th army who've been sent here. They're the ones in charge of armed operations," said one of the soldiers.

Moscow, Oct 24: Russia’s air force in Syria is ready to support the Free Syrian Army, the main Western-backed opposition group battling Bashar al-Assad, in its fight against Islamic State, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today. ”We are ready to also support patriotic opposition, including the so-called Free Syrian Army, from the air,” Lavrov said in an interview with Rossiya 1 television channel.

“What would you think if we support their efforts in the fight against terrorists in the same way we are supporting the Syrian army?”"He replied: ‘I would view this positively.’”"We are now thinking about this and trying to implement these agreements, if it works out,” Putin added. Western countries have repeatedly accused Russia of targeting Western-backed opposition groups in air strikes that Moscow says are aimed at Islamic State militants, and of making little distinction between jihadists and moderate rebels

When asked by McSally to comment about the comparative tests, Bogdan acknowledged the F-35 would not do as well as the A-10 in such a test. He smugly compared the test to a decathlete competing against a champion sprinter in a 100 meter race.

In a recent documentary, an A-10 pilot talked about the sensors available to help them correlate targets on the ground to ensure a precision strike. But in nearly the same breath, he described their shortcomings as well. “That will never replace just looking right, outside of my cockpit and looking at the battlespace. What am I seeing out there, big-picture?”

That level of situational awareness only develops when a pilot is able to fly low and slow over the battlefield.  That will be lost by F-35 pilots who will be restricted to much higher altitudes and speed.

They will be forced there because, as Gilmore said while testifying at an earlier hearing, “The (F-35) has some vulnerabilities that you would expect a high performance aircraft to have. The A-10 is going to be able to, can take, hits an F-35 couldn’t take.”

Sprey, one of the principle designers of the A-10, said an effective close air support aircraft is one that can “be able to get in close enough to see [friendly troops on the ground] and what they’re opposing and what their dangers are, how they’re about to be ambushed, what tanks they’re facing, what machine gun nests they’re facing.”

“You come flashing by there at 500 miles an hour, you’re hopeless and useless,” Sprey said, referring to traditional fighters designed for air-to-air combat.

How come à10 can take much hits n still carry on?