Malaysia offered leased Gripens from Sweden as its next fighter

Reports out of Malaysia has the country's Air Force chief saying that Malaysia is considering a Swedish offer of leasing 18 Saab Gripens for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's upcoming Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) contract.

Malaysia's combat fleet currently comprises of eight Boeing F/A-18D Hornets, 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM and a smaller number of MiG-29N/NUBs. The Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, more Sukhoi Su-30MKMs and Saab Gripen are currently in the running in the MRCA competition, which is due to be decided in 2013.