PREVIOUSLY reported during the recent DSA & NATSEC Asia 2026 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, military airlifter manufacturers Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence and Space and Embraer targeted the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) strategic airlift requirements. Though the renewal of strategic airlift capabilities was not specifically outlined yet at the time, the companies present set their sights on the programme. This capability revitalisation was then confirmed by the RMAF chief General Muhamad Norazlan as the service celebrated its 68th anniversary.
The general said that the service is studying the eventual replacement of its ageing C-130H Hercules manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with the youngest airframe being 31 years old while the oldest have reached half a century. “It is a good aircraft, but sometimes, it may be better to replace rather than continue maintaining old aircraft. It can be quite costly to maintain older aircraft”, Gen Norazlan said at a press conference commemorating the milestone.
At DSA & NATSEC Asia, the US firm Lockheed Martin displayed a scale model of its latest C-130J Super Hercules at its booth while European consortium Airbus Defence and Space also highlighted its A400M which is the larger of the two aside from the company’s C295 MSA (Maritime Surveillance Aircraft). Brazilian firm Embraer also showcased its ever-popular KC-390 Millenium. All three types of aircraft are prime candidates for Southeast Asia capable of operating from short and even unprepared runways, which are highly valued features for operators in the region. Furthermore, the aircraft all carry out peace-time operations including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and even aerial firefighting among other tasks.
With these 3 aerospace giants looking to compete, the advantage could be toLockheed Martin and Airbus as the RMAF currently operates more than 10 C-130H and 4 A400Ms which have all served RMAF operational and strategic needs well. Additionally, Lockheed Martin marked 50 years of partnership with Malaysia during DSA while Airbus continues to strengthen its already established defence industrial footprint in the country. This comes at a time where Malaysia is moving to bolster its local defence industry via strategic partnerships.
However, Embraer’s jet-powered twin-engine KC-390 Millenium sits in a unique spot, perched between the four turboprop C-130J and A400M, offering several enhanced capabilities and advantages in comparison to its competitors which the company has said to have lower operational costs. The KC-390 Millennium finished its most recent world tour, with 100% mission accomplishment in its international demonstration campaign. The aircraft flew more than 47,000 nautical miles, completing 54 flights, and operating across 11 countries over a period of more than 70 days. Among the stops were at the Singapore Airshow, Malaysia and Manila. Besides Brazil, the KC-390 has already been selected by Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
Indonesia and the Philippines elected to procure the C-130J in 2021 and 2023 respectively, while Vietnam is the latest to possibly join the global fraternity of C-130/C-130J operators after the US approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for C-130 Sustainment services and related equipment to Vietnam. The Philippines is set to take delivery of its three ordered C-130Js this year while Indonesia completed its fleet of five C-130Js in 2024.
Earlier this year, Airbus delivered Indonesia’s second A400M airlifter, completing the contract to modernise the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU) transport capabilities. The first A400M was delivered last November, making this unit the last of two A400M aircraft ordered by Indonesia in 2021 unless Indonesia exercises its option for potentially four more units.
In an effort to replace Soviet-era AN-32 and Il-76 aircraft, India is also considering the same three aircraft. According to reports, India could procure between 40-80 aircraft since their request for information (RFI) for aircraft capable of carrying 18-30 tonne payloads. India too already operates a dozen C-130Js–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:ADJ)
