France has submitted an offer of the Rafale, marking the start of official discussions on this subject between France and Malaysia.
Le Drian, with a high-level political and industrial team, landed in Malaysia Tuesday and visited the Sudang airbase where Malaysia’s first Airbus A400M transport aircraft is stationed. The two ministers underlined at the news conference their strategic partnership and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in maritime security, anti-terrorism and anti-piracy.
The Rafale competes with the Boeing F/A-18, Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon as Malaysia seeks 18 new fighters to replace its MiG-29s. Kuala Lumpur is unlikely to make a pick before 2018 as the Asian nation has been hit by a fall in the price of oil and commodities.
defensenews
Malaysia should lower their sights a bit and approach the US about rebuilt F/A-18C/Ds. Coming out of NARF they will have a lot of hours on them, and be powered by the most reliable engine in the class (GE F404).
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