BAE to bid for Malaysia MIG-29N deal

by **hlk** Mon 11 Jul 2011, 18:24

KUALA LUMPUR:UK-based BAE Systems, banking on its strength and long-time expertise in high technology aeronautics and defence
equipment capabilities, will tender for Malaysia's MiG-29N replacement contract.

Offering Eurofighter Typhoon as replacement for the MiG-29N, the company was awaiting the outcome of their proposal to the government, said Group Business Development Director Alan Garwood.

"The Malaysian government requested for our pricing in February (so) we have responded. We are now formally up for the competition and BAE Systems is the lead contractor on behalf of Eurofighter nations that comprise the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

The company submitted Rough Order of Magnitude prices, which are estimate or outline prices for the supply of main equipment, training and initial spares.

"We submitted the proposal on March 30th together with other competitors. It is for the replacement of MiG-29N fighters," he said.

The Royal Malaysian Airforce is phasing out the use of MiG-29N
fighter jets and plan to purchase multi-role combat aircraft that can be used both as a fighter jet and for ground attack.

Malaysia bought 18 of the MiG-29N fighter jets in June 1994 for US$380 million (RM1.3 billion).

"We are expecting the government to request for more information or request for a proposal with firm price quotations.

"As this is a very complex process, a lot of details needs to be sorted out like airforce training and design specification of the aircraft," he said.

Normally, this kind of negotiations would take about five years, from the submission of proposals until the signing of the contract, he added.

Developed by Europe's leading aerospace companies, the Typhoon is highly agile in terms of air superiority with an air-to-surface, multi-role/swing-role weapons system, making it among the most capable front-line combat aircraft available.

It was previously reported that the RMAF required 18 new fighter jets as replacement.

To date, 707 Typhoon aircraft are under contract and 280 have been delivered from the production line. - Bernama