Malaysian Armed Forces to go ahead with buying assets despite current economy

KUALA LUMPUR - The Defence Ministry will proceed with acquiring the armed forces' assets under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) despite the current economic challenges.

Vietnam eyes Western warplanes, patrol aircraft to counter China

Vietnam is in talks with European and U.S. contractors to buy fighter jets, maritime patrol planes and unarmed drones, sources said, as it looks to beef up its aerial defences in the face of China's growing assertiveness in disputed waters.

The battle-hardened country has already taken possession of three Russian-built Kilo-attack submarines and has three more on order as part of a $2.6 billion (1.69 billion pounds) deal agreed in 2009. Upgrading its air force would give Vietnam one of the most potent militaries in Southeast Asia.

RMAF to Retain MiG-29N Fighter Aircraft

KUANTAN: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fleet of MiG-29N fighter aircraft will remain an important asset to the country's air defence. RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Roslan Saad said there has been no decision to replace the MIG-29N which had been in service since 1990 and the aircraft will still remain in service. 

He said RMAF will scrutinise the capabilities of the existing MIG-29N fleet to ensure it remains competitive and relevant in safeguarding the country's air space. "Initially, there were plans to phase out the aircraft and replace them with another multi-role combat aircraft. "However, we have decided to upgrade the aircraft to ensure it has similar capabilities with fighter jets owned by other countries," he told reporters after opening RMAF's 57th anniversary here today. (New Straits Times)

Ukroboronprom Ready to Modernise 300 T-72 tanks to PT-91 to Meet NATO Standards

PT-91M MBT of Malaysia (Source: Wikipedia)

Ukroboronprom State Concern is ready to upgrade 300 T-72 tanks which are currently in the Ukrainian army reserve to meet NATO standards, Deputy State Concern Yuriy Paschenko has said.

"The T-72 is not in the service of Ukrainian Army. There are almost 300 of these tanks in Ukraine and we suggested to the Defense Ministry to upgrade them up to the PT-91 – the Polish main battle tank - to meet NATO standards," the press service of the concern said, citing Paschenko.

First Two Indian Mirage 2000 I/TI Delivered to Indian Authorities

Mirage 2000 of the IAF (Source: Thales)

The acceptance ceremony of the first two Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 I/TI was held recently at Istres, Dassault Aviation’s Flight Test Centre, under the high patronage of HE Ambassador Arun K. Singh, the Indian Ambassador to France. The ceremony was hosted by Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation Chairman & CEO, and Pierre Eric Pommellet, Thales Executive Vice President, Defence Mission Systems.