Deal to buy up Russia planes

MALAYSIAN air force pilots will be flying the hottest jet fighter in Southeast Asia within a year, after the country signed up to buy 18 Russian MiG-29 aircraft yesterday.

The deal, worth M$1.2 billion (HK$3.58 billion) in cash and M$280 million in Malaysian refined palm oil to the Russians, will give Malaysia a significant edge in air-to-air combat over its neighbours and add a new strategic element to the regional power balance.

The MiG-29s will have air-to-air refuelling systems, allowing Malaysia to provide sophisticated air defence over all its territorial interests, including part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, where it is one of six countries, including China, with competing claims.

''The MiG-29 is a very good fighter,'' a defence specialist said.

''Its two strong engines give it lots of power. It has excellent radar. In a close dog-fight only something like the new Eurofighter could make it a contest.'' It is superior as a combat fighter to the American-made F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft, which provides the backbones of the region's air forces.

Over the past three years, Southeast Asia has seen a major build-up of air power, as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have upgraded their combat aircraft. All four nations have denied that they are engaged in an arms race and have emphasised their defence co-operation as partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.