SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has expressed keen interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) to bolster its Sukhoi-30MKM fighter fleet. The Mach 3 capable missile, with a range of 290 kilometers, will come as a significant upgrade for the RMAF’s Naval strike capabilities.
However, integrating the BrahMos ALCM into the Su-30MKM platform is not a straightforward process. The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Su-30MKI had to undertake a complex structural hardening process for its aircraft before carrying the 2.5-ton missile. This involved extensive modifications to the aircraft’s airframe to withstand the immense launch forces.
Given the similarities between the Su-30MKI and Su-30MKM, the RMAF will likely need to engage Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which developed and also carried out the structural hardening process for the IAF, to undertake a similar modification for their fleet. This would involve significant costs and time, but it is expected that the acquisition of the BrahMos ALCM would provide the RMAF with a substantial increase in its Naval strike capability in region.
If the deal materializes, it would mark a significant milestone in India’s defence exports and strengthen bilateral ties between India and Malaysia.
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