We cannot afford to buy second batch of MRCA. So we moving foward to lease at least two squadron of these MRCA figthers . Currently some of best option are Super Hornet, Gripen & Euro fighter Typhoon, these stock are available in service. So now , what is the best fighter & affort to lease?
Gripen, one single engine with the latest network centric warfare, is a great combination with Awacs AEW. But again you are talking about the risk of single engine, cheap in term of maintainance. But have a great features such as AESA, infomation sharing, can AMRAAm etc.
While for Super Hornet, we are looking at more bigger f-18 in term of size, Weapon capacity, longer range. It is perfect for maritin strike & patrolling the sea as it is equip with APG-79 version of AESA radar. For dogfight, this fighter is good for low speed & very maneuverable.... but when going against real enemy jet fighter or missile, it is not the jet you want to be in. That is why F-18 is design to kill its enemy at medium using AMRAAM. As solution for dogfight, this jet is using AIM -X version of missile to chase its high manouver enemy. Such version missile is only available for US or its allies. For Malaysia you can only buy it is limited quantity with limitation. F -18 also do not have IRST a passive optical heat tracking... so back to depend on AIM-x.
Typhoon one of current favorite Second batch MRCA, got a lot of stock but in tranche 1 &2. Both versions have limited air to ground capability. But future upgrade will see AESA & air bombing capability....
(To be continue)
