KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is striving to become a “full spectrum air force” that can boast higher capability, sharper focus and “effect-based operations”.
RMAF chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang said that the goal can be achieved through its Capability Development 2055 (CAP55) initiative, a long-term plan of transformation of the RMAF’s capability from 2021 to 2055.
He said although the RMAF is only a medium-sized outfit, it has very high capability in the region.
"RMAF’s capabilities will be developed more effectively and efficiently through the restructuring of key assets with existing and future support.
“CAP55 covers three vital thrusts comprising the development of human capital, the development of doctrines and the alignment of the organisation," he said in a special interview with Bernama in conjunction with the RMAF’s 61st anniversary, today.
Asked about the achievements of the RMAF over the last year, Affendi said that sending RMAF troops on humanitarian aid and disaster missions to Palu, Indonesia last October – when it helped tsunami victims using the A400M carrier – was one of the highlights.
"The A400M carrier was the only freight carrier that successfully flew large and heavy machinery from Jakarta to the SIS Al-Jufri Mutiara Airport in Palu.
"The carrier broke its own record by carrying 22 tonnes of excavators (hydraulic machinery to dig out earth) with an additional four tonnes of other equipment, thus recording a total of 26 tonnes," Affendi said.
In October, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 and ensuing tsunami in Palu killed thousands and displaced 30,000.
On the purchase of new fighter jets, Affendi said that the RMAF always optimises the capabilities of existing assets and enhances human resource capabilities and expertise based on doctrines in line with current affordability.
"For the future, the RMAF plans to reduce the number of its aircraft to multi-role aircraft capable of performing multiple tasks in one flight.
"This way, the cost of management and operations can be (reduced) whilst achieving the objective of air defence," he added.