RMAF Takes Delivery of Second F/A-18D Hornet Following Completion of LPM12Y Maintenance

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has officially received the F/A-18D M45-07 fighter aircraft following its completion of the Local Planned Maintenance 12 Years (LPM12Y) by Rosebank Engineering.

The handover ceremony was attended by RMAF Commander General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.

The LPM-12Y is a Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) program for the F/A-18D aircraft, domestically implemented since 2021.

 Aircraft M45-07 is the second to undergo maintenance starting from January 5, 2023, to April 15, 2024.

This maintenance included comprehensive inspections of the aircraft’s structure, assessment of damage, and repairs to structural damage caused by wear and tear or material degradation due to environmental factors and operational usage.

 

Typically, the F/A-18D aircraft require maintenance abroad.

However, through close collaboration between the RMAF and both domestic and international aerospace industry players, including G7 Global Aerospace (G7GA) and Rosebank Engineering, this maintenance was successfully carried out domestically for the second time.

This achievement represents a significant milestone and advancement in the expertise of local aerospace engineering.

This joint effort also aligns with the fifth milestone of the 20th Supreme Command Order, aimed at enhancing RMAF capabilities through collaboration with the local defense industry to develop and enhance the air force’s capabilities.

 

 In the long term, this initiative is expected to reduce the costs of force development or maintenance of RMAF assets and create ongoing synergy with the local defense industry.

The RMAF had previously received the first F/A-18D M45-01 aircraft after its LPM12Y maintenance in January last year. – DSA/RMAF