LANGKAWI: A Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft had a VIP “passenger” on the opening day of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2017 yesterday.
Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah was given the opportunity to fly in the two-seater aircraft, later relating that it was the “perfect birthday gift”.
Irwan, who will turn 60 later this month, said the opportunity was precious to him, and thanked Rafale Malaysia for it.
“This is the first time I have ever been on board a jet fighter and it is such a fun experience,” he said after his ride.
The Dassault Rafale, he said, was a quality modern jet fighter, which was fitted with the latest technologies that make it a highly capable platform on the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.
“I hope the Defence Ministry will seriously consider obtaining the aircraft in the future.”
The Dassault Rafale was one of two aircraft that might replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s MiG-29N Fulcrum aircraft under its multi-role combat aircraft replacement programme.
There are two variants of the Dassault Rafale at Lima 2017 — the single-seat Rafale C and the two-seater Rafale B.
Reports by Leslie Andres, Hariz Mohd and Hani Shamira Shahrudin