From: eoahmad@ntu.ac.sg (Othman Ahmad)
Subject: F16 vs Mig29 for Malaysia
Organization: Nanyang Technological University - Singapore
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 14:01:10 GMT


From eoahmad@ntu.ac.sg (Othman Ahmad)

Malaysia is offered by USA for 30 F16 at bargain prices. At the same
time Mig29 is also offered, I believe at cheap prices. Even if Mig29 were
slightly more expensive, I prefer Mig29 because:

i)beautiful, good for Malaysian Image in Air Shows and good moral for Malaysians
in our own shows, I do not like war, too expensive. Entertainment, yes.

ii)twin engineed, ensuring survivability. Knowing the quality of our technicians
the maintainance of engines are bound to be suspect. Based on the number of
crashes of our A4 and F5 single engined aircraft, Mig 29 will be most suitable.
Our pilots will not be so advanteurous as the Top Gun pilots in inducing 
spins. In case of our severe tropical storms, just do not fly. 
	We need to save money. At $40M US per piece, they are damned expensive.

iii)more manoevrable. I believe it is in the class of F15. It has high 
acceleration. It does not consume so much petrol because of its carbon fibre
body. Is the F16 still made up Aluminium(large percentage). From the specs,
that I can recall, it has the same weight as the F16, do not know which version.
F15 is heavier. The german pilots also commented on the higher manoevrability of
Mig29 versus Tornadoes.
	This manoevrability makes it even more attractive at Air Shows.
	This feature also ensures survivability under missile attacks. It can
escape from missiles.

Its usefulness depends on the country and purpose. Let me explain what Malaysia
is. Malaysia is made up of a lot of tropical jungle. Like Vietnam.
	It is located at very strategic straits of Malacca. It is made up of
2 parts. Peninsular Malaysia(West) and East Malaysia(North of Borneo Island).
	Peninsular Malaysia is almost like an island. To the north lies
Thailand. The volatile south china sea, claimed by Vietnam, China as well,
separates the 2 parts of Malaysia.

The most immediate threat will be Vietnam, China. Singapore is not considered
a threat because it is democratic, at least by me. Why should common people
want to die? The same with Thailand. These 2 countries are also richer and
has no point in dying.
	The jungle in Malaysia,like Vietnam, is thick. I do not think that
tanks can go through them like the german panzer through the forest towards
france in 2nd World War. The tanks or vehicles must go through known roads.
	The battle should be at those roads. F16 can be a good bomber but
I'm sure Mig29 can be just as good. Mig33 is even better,but must be more
expensive. With smart bombs and missiles, this should be less of a problem.
I'm out of touch with Military Science. I do not know of the capability of
Mig29 and F16, at least the latest one.
	Another entrance is through the seas. Either of these planes can be
equipped to carry anti-ship missiles, like exocet on the Mirage III of the
Argentinian navy.
	It is due to this consideration that Malaysia first considered
Tornado, but its dog fighting ability is suspect. It may be good at delivery,
detection, and ECM but may be suspect once it is detected and hunted down.



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


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