30 Agustus 2018
Sukhoi Su-30MKM for Merdeka rehearsal (photo : Lowyat)
KUALA LUMPUR: The public can expect to see more Russian fighter jets take to the sky for the National Day parade.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has indicated that more than four of the 28 Russian jets would be flying on the day, though he didn't specify how many.
"They are in operation. You can see on Merdeka Day how many will be flying. I will leave you in suspense till then," he joked during a press conference following the Defence Ministry assembly at Wisma Pewira on Tuesday (Aug 28).
It had been reported in July that only four out of the 28 Russian fighters jets owned by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) were fit to take to the skies.
The Defence Minister was quoted then as saying that the RMAF had 18 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MKM and 10 MiG-29 jet fighters.
"Only four of the Sukhois are able to fly well," he had said, adding that the remaining 14 were under repair.
In his reply during the motion of thanks on the royal address in Parliament Tuesday (July 31), Mohamed Sabu said this was because the RMAF was unable to properly maintain the fighter jets' airworthiness.
He also informed the House that the 10 MiG-29 multi-role jets entered service in 1995, while the six Sukhoi Su-30MKM air superiority fighter were delivered in 2007 and the remainder in 2009.
(The Star)
Sukhoi Su-30MKM for Merdeka rehearsal (photo : Lowyat)
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has indicated that more than four of the 28 Russian jets would be flying on the day, though he didn't specify how many.
"They are in operation. You can see on Merdeka Day how many will be flying. I will leave you in suspense till then," he joked during a press conference following the Defence Ministry assembly at Wisma Pewira on Tuesday (Aug 28).
It had been reported in July that only four out of the 28 Russian fighters jets owned by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) were fit to take to the skies.
The Defence Minister was quoted then as saying that the RMAF had 18 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MKM and 10 MiG-29 jet fighters.
"Only four of the Sukhois are able to fly well," he had said, adding that the remaining 14 were under repair.
In his reply during the motion of thanks on the royal address in Parliament Tuesday (July 31), Mohamed Sabu said this was because the RMAF was unable to properly maintain the fighter jets' airworthiness.
He also informed the House that the 10 MiG-29 multi-role jets entered service in 1995, while the six Sukhoi Su-30MKM air superiority fighter were delivered in 2007 and the remainder in 2009.
(The Star)