BAE Systems is looking to propose a lease deal for Eurofighter Typhoons to Malaysia as that country seeks to replace its ageing MiG-29s.
Malaysia has a requirement for 18 new fighters to replace the MiG-29Ns, and is also looking at vastly divergent types such as the Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and additional Sukhoi Su-30s.
“The Malaysian government is openly saying they have some issues on finance, and while they’re ending subsidies and bringing in new value added tax, it’s unlikely there’s an appetite to buy Typhoon at this point,” BAE’s Group Business Development Director Alan Garwood told Reuters on February 20. “What they have done is solicit leasing proposals from every major aerospace company. We will be submitting a leasing proposal next month for Typhoon together with a purchase option and expect to have further discussions later in the year or maybe even early next year around that.”
