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| F/A-50 being acquired by The Philippines AirForce |
By WENDELL MINNICK
TAIPEI — In much of Southeast Asia, budgets are smaller and ambitions more limited compared with neighbors to the north, and many countries are trying to rid themselves of much older equipment. But Singapore and Vietnam are generally better equipped and have more extensive plans.
Malaysia: Shifting Plans
Tight budgets are forcing Kuala Lumpur to alter some planned procurements.
“One casualty was a program to purchase a batch of up to 18 multirole combat aircraft,” said Carl Thayer, a specialist on Southeast Asian security issues at the Australian Defence Force Academy. “Malaysia is reportedly considering leasing options.”
In another example, the planned purchase of stealthy DCNS-designed Gowind corvettes is now classed as “a long-term procurement plan due to near-term budget constraints,” said Tony Beitinger, vice president of market intelligence for AMI International, a US-based naval analysis firm.
Still, the Malaysian Navy is procuring new frigates under its Second Generation Patrol Vessel program, and its leaders have recently asserted that they need at least three new submarines to augment the two Scorpene-class subs acquired in 2009, he said.
Malaysia force modernization programs have a larger focus than just dealing with the “China threat,” Thayer said. “But deterrent capabilities being acquired can certainly be deployed in contingencies involving China’s military.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia is repositioning naval and maritime air assets to protect its offshore oil-production platforms and islands in the South China Sea, and recently set up a marine unit, he said.
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