Hawk jets can fly for 10 more years, says RMAF chief
BUTTERWORTH: The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Hawk jets can still be used for the next 10 years with upgrades.
Its chief, General Tan Sri Affendi Buang, said the aircraft were used to monitor airspace at the South China Sea and the eastern part of Sabah.
He said the aircraft, which had been in service for nearly 25 years, only needed to be upgraded to keep up with current technology.
“We need to upgrade its technologies and system.
“The Hawk is still capable and relevant, even though there are a few issues since it has served for 25 years. But we are planning to use it for 10 more years and there will be upgrades along the way.”
Affendi said any decision on adding more Hawks to the RMAF inventory would depend on allocation from the government.
“If we have sufficient allocation, we will buy the latest ones,” he said at the 25th Silver Jubilee Hawk Aircraft celebration at the RMAF Butterworth base here yesterday.
The Hawk aircraft were acquired by RMAF through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the government and the United Kingdom on Dec 10, 1990 for the delivery of 10 Hawk 108 and 18 Hawk 208.
The advanced trainer/light fighter jets were delivered in stages from April 15, 1994.
Throughout the 25 years of its service, the Hawk aircraft were used by RMAF in major operations, including Op Daulat in March 2013 where five Hawks launched airstrikes to destroy the terrorist hideout in Lahad Datu.
Brigadier General Felix Gonsalves was among the first who flew the Hawk aircraft when they were brought to the country.
He was assigned to pilot the Hawk aircraft and attended the Qualified Weapon Instructor course in England for eight months before being posted to the Project Hawk team from 1993 to 1994.
Felix said he was thrilled when he first sat and flew the Hawk 108.
“At that time, the Hawk was the most advanced jet RMAF had in its inventory.
“The older aircraft at that time used radar, but this one used far superior technology, which was amazing,” said Felix, who was 30 when he first flew the Hawk.