LIMA 2013...to ifinity and beyond!!!

LIMA is unique as it is the only show in the world that exhibits both aerospace and maritime technologies at a single venue and time. Such was possible because it is being held on an island of Langkawi, north west of Malaysia. Of course nearly every country in Asia has an event or two to call their own but none so far has the uniqueness of LIMA. Apart for the fusion of both landscape based products offered, it also not only offer assets that comes from the west or pro west countries but also at the same time from the east, Russia and its pro east countries. The Mig 29 procument ensured Russia participation. Even China took up the opportunity to participate; intorducing the many types of ships at their display booth. This is something you would not get anywhere around the world, not at the level found in neutral Malaysia's LIMA. Government and military personnels all over the world have used this window to survey what' is available on the market at the same time to check out their competitors capabilities and offers. For instance more than 25 top airforce comanders and 300 senior military delegates attended it. That is why LIMA considered one of the best gate way to Malaysia's and even Asia's, not forgetting of course the world's markets. This is where the multibillions deals are pursued and signed.

Since Malaysia is in need for 18 multiroles combat aircrafts, fighters like  F18, Rafale, Eurofighter and also Gripen provide static and air displays to impressed her governmental, military and civilians visitors. Their models, their armaments as well as by products are exhibited at their booth respectively. 

Malaysia's Mig 29 and SU 30 provided ground and air display. 

Maybe LIMA should add land vehicles for the armies as part of the show, but then again maybe they should not as that would change its positioning. After all why fix something that is not broken. 

How can Malaysia improve her air arms based on Lahad Datu operation?

RMAF F 18 and Hawks superbly executed their roles in Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu. The army's old but reliable war horses Nuris also perform without any glitches.  Nuri However are not attack helicopters and can only be used to transport armed personnel and maybe conduct light attacks on the enemies. Two more  helicopters Augusta Westland 109 are sent to help Malaysia's arm forces along with eight armour vehicles.  The army can use them for recon missions as well as air assaults with its heavy machine guns. The same applies to Navy's Lynxes if needed..

There is no sign that the skirmishes will end any time soon because of the difficulty finding the Sulu intruders in the said terrain. No doubt sulu does not have a chance against the Malaysian military arms, however they will definitely cost a substantial injuries and cost of life. This however will not hamper Malaysian defending Sabah as part of its sovereign territory. At the end of the day Sultan Kirams effort would be totally fruitless.

There are many lessons that can be learnt from this turmoil.

1. Rafales can also do the same job as the F18 D, only better as proven in Libya and Mali. So Rafales should be the the popular choice, if affordable.

2. F 18D are lethal in its multi roles platform, although old and short in range. More F 18 secondhand can be bought to supplement the current available unit if Rafales or other reliable types are found to be unaffordable. Malaysia is lucky that they can bomb the intruders this time, I assume that source codes were given. A second hand F18 D is considered an ok buy in this case.  Paying not so high for these aircrafts helps, especially to ease the graze ego and tight pocket when source codes are not given for needed security operations. Their are cheap being secondhand, logistically easy to operate as proven so in the past all have high rate of operability or servility, and since we already have them commonality cost are as good as zero, but most importantly they are very effective in their roles.

3. Of course acquiring a few eyes in the sky in the likes of Hawkeyes or Erieyes would tremendously help to monitor the movement at Sabah's coastal line, so that there will be no more or lesser intrusion of Sulu terrorist onto the land.

4. More Lynxs and Fennecs should be acquired to help the navy ships and boats patrol and chase infiltrators. Their guns and missiles will be there to back the special forces when things get worse.

5. Malaysia should sign up for attack helicopters like the Europters Tigre. It will help reducing loss of life of her military personnel, especially in this Lahad Datu scenario. Leasing options should seriously be considered for at least six Tigres or even Mil 28s as the need is dire. They can be sent in a hurry from Europe or Russia as they would not be using them any time soon, fast enough for the army air arm to train and put it to good use after. Countries in Europe and Russia would jump to this opportunity just because they need the money. The choppers can be bought as secondhand units if both parties find it agreeable later.

6. Local industry should locally invent and build more types of drones that can locate and destroy targets. They can work together with foreign counterparts so that they can evolve the local technology at a faster rate. This can also help pushing forward local industries and reduce future fatalities.

RMAF Hornets sting while Hawks claw in Lahad Datu

RMAF attack in Tanduo Village,  Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia began on Tuesday 5th March at 700 am. Three RMAF F 18 D Hornets and five Hawks 208 lead the attacks by bombing the Sulu Armed intruders positioned at Tanduo. Artilery and mortar bombardment followed after. Drones were used to assess the destruction caused. Ground troops, namely police and army forces then went in mopping up the areas of any survivors. Couple of fire fights took place with what is left of the enemies. A classic war tactics, where projection and concentration of firepower in their sequences was well executed!

A small number of Sulu army, less than 100 or so, unrecognised by the Philippines of course, entered Sabah and claimed it for their Sulu Sultan, Kiram the III. Malaysia's government called for negotiations but was refuse by the intruders. Malaysia government exhaust all peaceful means when some members of her police and army was ambushed and killed by them. Hence the country's defence forces then initiated Ops Daulat. The plot played out sounds ridiculously like it is from a action novel or movie script. But this is real news. It really happened!

According to local media reports Malaysian Hornets used laser guided bombs, most probably lasered by ground troops, possibly Paskaus (RMAF ground elite unit), even army Commando themselves.

Hawks also bombed the said targets with dumb bombs, it is unclear if they used rockets.

Reports has it the the jets turned and made a couple of pass over the targets, most probably these were Hawks because Hornets could hit many targets in one pass, the advantages of a true multirole fighters. However Hawks 208 are specially designed ground attack aircraft, able to fly slower enabling them to hover around and identify the targets and hit it with bombs, rockets and cannon if its carrying one. Of course attack helicopters could do some of jobs better in aspect of ground attack (Malaysia has not any at the moment) . Be as that may it definitely can be said that the RMAF used whatever assets that are available to them strategically spot on.

Malaysia's local military magazines in the past had reported many similar exercises was held, similar from the aspect of the sequences and even nature of the attack by different arms of her defence forces. Its true what they say "practice makes perfect" and it is "just like practice".

This is the first time Malaysia has used their acquired modern jets in fury. Now that has been a long time since her Skyhawks and F5Es was used to counter the communist insurgency more than 20 years ago. Hornets and Hawks never had the chance to use their stings and claws for Malaysia was peaceful until now. Their Sukhoi 30s and Mig 29 missed the boat this round as they are more of air superiority fighters or interceptors, although I am sure a few of them would patrol the respective areas to maintained a clear sky for the air operation to take place. The least they would be on standby ever ready to execute their respective duties.

All in all Malaysians are aggrieved by the lost of personnels of their arm forces, at the same time proud of their police and arm forces for the courage shown and sacrifice made as well as congratulate them for a job well done.

My condolences to the families who have lost their love ones in this struggle to defend their great nation.

This post this dedicated to the fallen heroes.