Malaysia is considering purchase of 18 combat jets to replace its ageing fleet of Russian Mig-29 combat aircraft. It is understood that the contenders for the contract are Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F-18 and Saab Gripen. France has indicated the possibility of manufacturing the Rafale fighter jet in Malaysia should it be selected. “We are considering an assembly line in Malaysia,” said Eric Trappier, Chief Executive Officer, Dassault Aviation, the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the Rafale, in a telephone interview from the Langkawi Air Show in northern Malaysia. The multi-role Rafale, which entered service in the French military in 2001, can carry out air-to-ground or air-to-sea attacks, reconnaissance, aerial interception or nuclear strike missions.
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