Malaysia’s MINDEF Sec-Gen Takes A Closer Look at Maintenance of Su-30MKM, F/A-18C/D Hornet

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, recently conducted a working visit to two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) airbases—Gong Kedak Air Base and Butterworth Air Base.

Gong Kedak Air Base is home to the fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets, while Butterworth Air Base houses the squadron operating eight F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets.

The RMAF operates a total of 18 Su-30MKM aircraft.

According to an official statement on the RMAF’s Facebook page, the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the readiness and progress of maintenance work on RMAF fighter jets, which is being conducted by local defence companies.

“This involves the Su-30MKM fleet maintained by the ATSC Sukhoi Technical Centre (STC) at Gong Kedak Air Base and the F/A-18D Hornets maintained by G7 Global Aerospace Sdn Bhd at Butterworth Air Base,” the statement read.

The Secretary-General’s visit underscores the Defence Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the operational readiness of Malaysia’s strategic defence assets.

This aligns with the long-term vision of fostering a competitive and sustainable national defence capability, the RMAF noted.

“It also demonstrates the Ministry’s dedication to enhancing the nation’s defence capabilities through partnerships with local defence companies.

These collaborations not only bolster the capacity for maintaining fighter aircraft but also support the growth of the national defence industry to higher levels,” the statement added.

Malaysia signed the procurement contract for the F/A-18D Hornet on December 2, 1993, and received all eight units between 1997 and 1998.

For the Sukhoi Su-30MKM, the procurement contract for 18 aircraft was signed on August 5, 2003, during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA).

The first Su-30MKM was delivered in 2007, with all units received by 2009.

According to its official website, G7 Global Aerospace identifies itself as a technology partner to the RMAF, emphasizing the importance of security.

“As a forward-looking technology partner to the RMAF, lifecycle management, operations, and the availability of military systems for land and air remain our priority,” it states.

The company offers services including aircraft maintenance, electronic warfare (EW) support programs, and other specialized services.

G7 Global Aerospace is also preparing to perform structural inspections on the RMAF’s F/A-18C/D Hornets under a program named LPM12Y (Local Periodic Maintenance 12 Years).

LPM12Y is a Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) program for F/A-18D Hornets, carried out domestically since 2021.

Meanwhile, ATSC Sdn Bhd (Aerospace Technology Systems Corp. Sdn Bhd), a subsidiary of National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI), was established on June 25, 1994.

The company is responsible for maintaining the RMAF’s Su-30MKM fleet.

The RMAF’s Su-30MKM aircraft are currently undergoing the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) (2021–2025).

This program focuses on structural and major system maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operations.

It includes replacing components that have exceeded their service life and conducting comprehensive inspections of aircraft systems to maintain performance and operational safety.

Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), beginning in 2026, the SLEP will transition to a Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program.

This initiative aims to enhance technology, avionics, radar systems, and armaments, ensuring the fleet remains relevant and capable of addressing modern operational and combat challenges.

These initiatives highlight Malaysia’s commitment to maximizing the value and operational longevity of its fighter jet fleet while supporting the development of its domestic defence industry. – DSA