From: eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg (Othman Ahmad)
Subject: Re: Malaysia to choose F16 or Mig29
Organization: Nanyang Technological University - Singapore
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 08:51:38 GMT

sbog6936@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Bin Ong) writes:
: 
: Not having read any recent updates on the capability, the advantages (re:
: robustness, armament, electronics, etc) of the Mig29 vs F16 is more
: academic than military. Intelligence grapevine is that Russian electronics
: are couple yrs behind US :-). Butr I still think the advantage of the
A couple of years is nothing. Anyway do you think USA will give the latest
electronics to Malaysia or even Singapore?
	Whereas Russia knows that they are behind so do not mind giving their
best.

: F16 is that, it is battle-tested, proven, and decorated, while the Mig29...
Against tanks and Soviet obsolete bombers? Mig 29 aerodynmaics is even later
than F16 and F15. 

: Straits Times (o/s ed.) reporting that Singapoore will lease some from
: the USAF for trg purpose, and later purchase new ones when they are
: off the assembly line. Since both the US and Singapore had not publicly
: published the type of electronics on Singapore's F16s, well, maybe
: our F16s aren't top-of-the-line... :-(

Even the engines may not be the top of the line. Whereas Russia has not such
problem.
	I recommend Singapore take a look at Mig29. Howeve because of logistic
problems, maybe it is better to stick to F16, same models(?).
: 
: >These Mig 29 are beautiful. They would look good in our airshows. Even the
: >german pilots admit that it is more manoevrable than the Nato Tornadoes.
: >Hopefully they are also as robust as those Russian planes, especially under
: >or "rough" technicians.
: >	If Malaysia were to buy those VTOL harriers, at least 2, then we 
: >will have even better air displays. Hopefully they will last until 2020.
: 
: Beauty does not win wars, which I think is why you want these expensive
: aircraft. Otherwise I think model planes, even remote-control ones
: are certainly more economical.... and within reach of lotsa more people..:-)

Which one you like to watch? Model airplanes or the real ones. I know which one.
The difference is 100 times. When I was a Farnborough, I was so excited.
The feeling was incredible.
	After spending so much money, do you want to go to war immediately?
Surely not. Why don't we give it alternative uses? At least it did not waste
public money. How much do you think it costs the public money to conduct those
noise air exercises over NTU here?
	It just frightens the children. May break our eardrums as well. Those
A4s are ugly to look at, and they do not do aerobatic flying, just straight
low-leve flying.
	Instead of just flying uselessly, why don't they train as well as
entertain. I'm sure simulated dog fights or even simulated bombing runs and
 defences againts those bombers are very attractive to watch.
	However you must tell the public where it will be conducted and where
to watch, and the time. The place must be safe and good to observe. Across the
sea will be a nice one.
	If you do it every week, people and toursits will like it, and do not
complain. You have the best of both worlds.
	
: 
: >How about Singaore? Why wont you buy the F15s?
: 
: Really.. if we bought them, I wonder if M'sia wouldn't buy Mig31s...
: Just kidding; we don't need 2 engines to get our butt in the air, and
You should read the articles in sci.military about the survivability of
F18 which has 2 engines even when bombing. The F16 are scared to close on the
targets, just bomb from a far distance.
: scare intruders off anyway... if you are any good, any ol' plane would
: do, really...
	Have you heard of the Singapore F16 that crashed, pilot or engineer
error or not, a dual engine will surely help. It crashed because the engine
does not fire. If you have 2, you can still come back even if you make mistakes.
	After all, most of the time these planes are use in peace time. The
attrition rate is high if you only have one engine as Malaysia has discovered
with F5 and A4. Malaysian technicians may not be as skilled as other
nations, but that is what we have. We cannot change it.
	I pray that Malaysia will buy Mig 29, not for war only, but to save
tax payers money.
	Even the perfectionist Singaporean make mistakes, don't they?

--
Othman bin Ahmad, School of EEE,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2263.
Internet Email: eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg
Bitnet Email: eoahmad@ntuvax.bitnet

Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean