Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 1 June 2008
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Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia Royal Malaysian Air Force
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The country currently known as Malaysia was granted independence from Britain in 1957. Formation of an air arm, now known as the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) or in Englsih Royal Malaysian Air Force started in 1958. Thus, in 2008 the TUDM celebrated their 50th anniversary. A good moment for a rundown of the current fleet. Although established 50 years ago, the TUDM only began fighter operations during the seventies using former Australian Sabres. These were followed by used ex US Navy Skyhawks. During the following decades, Malaysia prospered due to oil and tin exports, enabling the purchase of some very modern assets. |
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The TUDM's shining new armour is formed by the Russian Sukhoi Su30MKM. A
total of 18 has been purchased to equip 11 Skuadron. A whole new base has
been constructed for the Sukhois at Gong Kedak in the north east of the
country. The Su.30MKM has been modelled on the Indian Air Force's Su.30MKI.
The Su.30MKM's crews proudly wear badges including the text "Multi Role"
on their flight overalls, denoting the types versatility. Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 1 June 2008 |
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Prior to the Su.30MKM's purchase, the Boeing F/A-18D Hornet was the tip of the TUDM's spear. Based at Butterworth near the island of Penang with 18 Skuadron, the Hornet too is a multi role machine. The only drawback is the small size of the fleet; only eight have been delivered. At one time a follow-up buy was envisaged, but o.a. due to the Asian economic crisis of the late nineties nothing came of this. More orders are unlikely; the F/A-18D is no longer being built and the Su.30MKM must be seen as the alternative. Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 1 June 2008
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Air Defence is the realm of the Mikoyan MiG.29N. A total of 18 have been
purchased, which have taken the place of the F-5E Tiger II in this role. The
MiG fleet has been divided over Nos 17 and 19 Skuadrons which fly from
Kuantan on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. The fleet is made up of 16
MiG.29N single seat fighters as well as a pair of MiG.29NUB two seaters. To
the left, a MiG.29N from No 17 Skuadron. Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 1 June 2008 |
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Co-located at Kuantan are the BAE Systems Hawk Mk.208 light weight fighters
flown by Nos 6 and 15 Skuadrons. To the right, a Hawk Mk.208 from No. 6
Skuadron can be seen making its way to Kuantan's runway. The Hawks were
bought as a replacement to the Douglas A-4PTM Skyhawks. Together with the
MiG.29's they form a high-low fighter mix. A total of 18 have been purchased
for the two squadrons.
Kuantan, 29 May 2008 |
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Predecessor to the MiG.29N in the air defence role and now relegated to the
advanced training role is the Northrop F-5E Tiger II. The TUDM purchased 17
F-5E's from which six or seven are still with 12 Skuadron at Butterworth.
The remainder has either been lost in accidents or has been grounded pending
sale. Apart from the F-5E's there are also three F-5F two seaters for
conversion training.
Butterworth, 28 May 2008 |
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The TUDM posesses a pair of RF-5E camera equipped jets. Also flown by 12
Skuadron at Butterworth, the TigerEyes provide the Malaysian Air Force with
a useful reconnaisance capability. In the past it has been suggested to fit
Hornets with camera pods in order to replace the RF-5E, however these plans
appear to have been dropped.
Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 31 May 2008 |
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Training prospective TUDM pilots has been the responsibility of the Swiss
built Pilatus PC.7 for the past 25 years. 44 PC.7's were ordered in 1981 to
replace the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. These were joined from 2000 by the
much improved PC. Mk.II seen left. A total of 18 has been ordered to
supersede the older PC.7's. Operating unit is Pulatibang 3 (3 Flying
Training Center) at Alor Setar. This unit is part of the Air Force Academy
at this base.
Alor Setar, 27 May 2008 |
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Strangely, the TUDM has two streams for fast jet pilot training. The older
Macchi MB.339AM, of which nine remain out of 13 delivered, is used to train
pilots that used to go on to the F-5E. Now, the Macchi students are destned
to go to the MiG.29N. Operating unit is 15 Skuadron which can be found at
Butterworth
Butterworth, 28 May 2008 |
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The BAE Systems Hawk Mk.108 is the other advanced jet trainer in the TUDM's
inventory. Sadly, the Hawk Mk.108 fleet suffered considerable attrition
since having been introduced in the mid-nineties and only six out of ten
delivered remain. Like the Macchis, the Hawk Mk.108's are being flown by 15
Skuadron.
Butterworth, 28 May 2008 |
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The TUDM's budget does not allow the purchase of a dedicated long range
maritime patrol aircraft, yet there is the need to patrol the country's
coast line. The task has been given to 16 Skuadron and its quartet of Beech
King Air 200T's. The King Airs took over from C-130H Hercules which had
temporarily caried out this tasking.
Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 31 May 2008 |
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Another business travel plane that found its way into the TUDM is the Cessna
402B. Originally bought as a navigational rainer, the Cessnas now fly with
20 Skuadron on a variety of duties like light transport, MEDEVAC and photo
survey. Nine remain active out of 12 delivered.
Kuala Lumpur-Sungai Besi, 30 May 2008 |
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The Spanish-Indonesian CASA-Nurtanio CN.235 was a natural for the TUDM.
Feeling the need to supplement the long serving DHC.4 Caribou, an initial
six were ordered for general transport duties, followed by another pair for
VIP transport. The CASAs fly with 21 Skuadron which flies out of Kuala
Lumpur-Subang.
Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 31 May 2008 |
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The true transport workhorse in the TUDM's inventory can not be anything
else than the Lockheed-Martin C-130 Hercules. There have been 15 Hercs on
the TUDM's books, of these four have been equipped for aerial refuelling and
are known as C-130T. Among the other ones, there are eight stretched
C-130H-30's and pair of C-130H's. The example to the left is still in
the old camouflage scheme, grey paint like found on the CN.235's is
spreading here as well. Nos 14 and 20 Skuadrons fly the Herc fleet with the
example depicted belonging to the former.
Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 1 June 2008 |
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VIP transport is nowadays handled by a mixed fleet, of which the Bombardier
BD.700 is the latest addition. The unit which performs this task is
Skuadron. Flying from Subang, 2 Sk also has single examples of the Boeing
737-700BBJ, Dassault
Falcon 900 and the Fokker F.28-1000 as far as fixed wing assets are
concerned. A pair of Sikorsky S.70's complete the line-up.
Kuala Lumpur-Subang, 1 June 2008 |
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For a long time, the Sud SE.3160 Alouette III
served in a variety of support roles. Today, the survivors are used to teach
students the art of flying a helicopter. The courses are being run by Pulatibang
2 (2 Flying Training Center) of the Air Force Academy at Alor Setar. A
replacement for the Alouette III will be required in a few years time.
Alor Setar, 27 May 2008 |
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Another long serving type within the TUDM is
the Sikorsky S.61A-4. Known as the Nuri in the TUDM, the S.61 handles all
medium lift helicopter tasks within the Malaysian military. The type has
suffered more than its fair share of accidents during the past few years and
consequently a replacement is to be selected shortly. The example depicted
to the right was sitting on SAR alert, another important Nuri task.
Kuantan, 29 May 2008. |
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Thanks go to the Royal Malaysian Air Force for their kind cooperation during these visits as well as to the British Aviation Enthousiast Society, in particular Mr. Alan Key.
All pictures (c) Hans Rolink
