RMAF to continue flying Hawk 108 jets - Hishammuddin

The Ministry of Defence has no intention so far of terminating the usage of the Hawk 108 fighter jets, despite the death of two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots on Thursday.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said, the ministry can not stop the aircraft's service solely due to the tragedy that occurred on Thursday, considering a thorough and detailed investigation is still ongoing.

"We have to wait for the detailed report of the investigation. For the time being, the RMAF will continue to fly the British-made Hawk 108 jets. The aircrafts are still being used by many other countries.

"We should not let one incident affect the credibility of the aircraft. I understand that the aircraft used yesterday have just undergone maintenance and made two flights," he said.

Hishammuddin said, what's important now is the well-being of the pilots' families and the burden that they're going through.

Hishammuddin was met after distributing Hari Raya goods to military personnel, which was also attended by the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers (Bakti) President, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Yesterday, two pilots, Major Mohd Hasri and Major Yazmi Mohamed Yusof were killed after the Hawk 108 they were in, was believed to have crashed in a swampy area at a forest in Chukai, Terengganu.

Their remains were found 20 metres apart, at 2.30pm.

The Hawk 108 left Kuantan TUDM base at 11am yesterday before ceasing to communicate half an hour later.