The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), marking its 60th anniversary in June, operates in a rapidly shifting geostrategic landscape marked by conflict and instability. While outright military aggression against Brunei remains unlikely, spillover effects from great-power rivalry are a concern. The country’s recently published defense white paper highlights major power competition, regional and global conflicts, radicalization, and disruptive technologies as key threats, outlining a path to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. The RBAirF is actively seeking to expand its capabilities, including plans for medium-range ground-based air defense systems and fast-jet combat aircraft.
Currently, the RBAirF fields a modest fleet of modern turboprop fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. In May, Brunei received the final two CASA C295W medium-airlift aircraft, originally ordered in 2022, which replaced older C235s in No. 15 Squadron for territorial and maritime surveillance, airlift, and humanitarian missions. For rotary-wing tactical lift, search and rescue, and combat air support, the air force operates 12 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters and a handful of aging BO105s, set to be replaced by six Airbus H145M multirole helicopters. Basic flight training relies on four Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprops, introduced in 1997 and now among the oldest aircraft in service, urgently needing replacement.
To fulfill its mission of delivering responsive air power amid evolving security challenges, the RBAirF requires more capable combat aircraft. Original equipment manufacturers are lining up to offer fighters, with the Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper presenting a significant capability leap and closer ties to the U.S. defense industry. However, an F-16 or equivalent may not be the best initial solution. Any decision must look beyond simple fighter comparisons and consider the air force’s broader roles. Entering fast-jet operations also demands new training standards and modern trainer aircraft.
Brunei could adopt a Singapore-style approach, sending pilots abroad for advanced jet training (Phase 3-4) while keeping elementary and basic training (Phase 1-2) at home. Alternatively, the RBAirF could acquire Embraer A-29 or Textron T-6 Texan II turboprop trainers to replace the PC-7 Mk.IIs, meeting advanced training needs. Some air forces, like Switzerland, use modern turboprops for the entire Phase 2-4 syllabus, enabling direct transition to jet combat aircraft. Both Embraer and Textron offer missionized and armed variants, providing an affordable light combat capability. The A-29 and AT-6 can be equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors, gun and rocket pods, and precision-guided munitions, allowing the RBAirF to execute counterinsurgency, combat search and rescue, armed reconnaissance, helicopter escort, and border and maritime patrol missions more effectively.
Operating a common platform yields substantial savings through maintenance, operational, and training synergies, supporting ground forces, the navy, and other agencies. Yet neither current turboprops, helicopters, nor turboprop light combat aircraft can intercept fast-moving, high-flying intruders near Brunei’s airspace or exclusive economic zone, making rapid response QRA essential and justifying the need for fast jets.
Modern multirole jet-trainer aircraft and their light combat variants offer a pathway to meet border protection and combat requirements. Candidates include the Leonardo M346F Block 20 and the Korean KAI TA/FA-50 Block 70. Both provide AESA radar, advanced cockpits, helmet-mounted sights, datalinks, targeting pods, and a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The FA-50’s afterburning F404 engine enables supersonic sprints, reaching the farthest parts of Brunei’s EEZ faster than the subsonic M346. Originally designed as advanced trainers (Phase 3), both types can be configured for lead-in fighter training (Phase 4) with added radars, fire-control computers, hardpoints, and weapons. Virtual, Live, and Constructive (VLC) training systems allow cost-effective large-force and weapons deployment drills, simulating beyond-visual-range engagements with symbology projected on displays and helmets.
One-way attack drones (OWAD) have emerged as a prominent threat, and manufacturers market these aircraft as cost-effective counter-OWAD platforms equipped with AESA radar, targeting pods, datalinks, gun pods, short-range missiles, and semi-active laser-guided rockets. Thus, light combat aircraft offer the RBAirF a cost-effective way to establish fast-jet operations from scratch.
Regional neighbors offer instructive examples. The Philippine Air Force returned to fast jets with FA-50PHs between 2015 and 2017, recently ordering 12 FA-50 Block 70s. Developing operational proficiency and human capital takes a decade or more. The KAI type is popular across Southeast Asia, operated by the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The M346, used by Singapore for basic jet training with its fleet based in France, is less common regionally, though Indonesia has ordered 48 M346F Block 20s to replace aging BAE Hawks. Modern trainer-derived light combat aircraft deliver significant cost benefits and operational synergies for small air forces.
For the RBAirF, these platforms represent the most cost-effective route to fast-jet air power. As the adage goes, one must not run before learning to walk.
