Government yet to decide on buying Rafale fighter jets

The government has not decided to buy Rafale fighter jets as replacement for MiG-29 fighter jets which have served the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) for over three decades.

Deputy Minister of Defence Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said before making a decision, the government has to study the ability of the aircraft and its financial capacity.

"The study does not only involve the Ministry of Defence but other agencies including the Ministry of Finance," he told reporters after closing a National Service Training Programme at Kem PLKN White Resort, here on Thursday.

The replacement of fighter jets and other military assets are important as the equipment can be used as insurance to guarantee the nation's sovereignty.

Abdul Rahim said military assets should be replaced over a certain period to ensure that the national defence equipment are not outdated.

"It is not economical to the nation's defence if the existing military assets are used for more than 30 years," he added.