Challenge: Australian-Malaysian conflict...

MacCaulay

Banned
...between 1975 and 1995. No wankiness, but it has to have those two on opposite sides, and have them as the primary contenders. It also has to be a conventional conflict of at least Falklands War-level fighting. (Battalion-level combat, air-to-air, etc.)

Game on!
 

Rush Tarquin

Gone Fishin'
I'm thinking a scenario where there's a prolonged Malayan Emergency or one where the MNLA isn't sufficiently broken. Once Commonwealth forces think they've done their job or are fed up, they leave. The MNLA bounces back, somehow widen their appeal outside ehtnic Chinese, and topple the Malaysian government.

Then communist Malaysia attacks Singapore. The Australians, with their military assets in Singapore and a defence agreement with the Singaporeans, are the first ones on the scene to do something about it.
 
While Australia would overmatch Malaysia militarily for the entire period the stance Indonesia would take in any dispute would be the most important factor, as the two wouldn't be able to come to grips with each other without Indonesia's say so.
 
While Australia would overmatch Malaysia militarily for the entire period the stance Indonesia would take in any dispute would be the most important factor, as the two wouldn't be able to come to grips with each other without Indonesia's say so.

Indonesia has no love for Chinese Communists. With the Malay-ruled government in Malaysia toppled, the Indonesians would definitely support the Aussies in their crusade against the commies. I also have the impression that the rest of the FPDA with the exception of Malaysia would help Singapore. That is, if Britain doesn't mind fighting another Falklands if this happens in the 80s.
 

MacCaulay

Banned
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has a stroke when Paul Keating calls him a 'recalcitrant' in 1993, and declares war.

Alright, what the hell. I'll take it, just because it's hilarious and sounds like something politicians would do.

1993: Australia vs. Malaysia.

Folks: place your bets. We'll need a rundown of the respective militaries before bets are placed, so start digging...


EDIT:

Malaysian Air Force rundown:

3 Squadrons of British-built Mk 208 Hawks, able to operate Sidewinders and bombs. They've been used in a light bomber and COIN role.

2 Squadrons of MiG-29Ns, approximately 16 of them in all. 2 seaters also for training. These are armed with the famous AA-11 Archer and headset combo.

1 Squadron of F/A-18D Hornets, 8 in all. Primarily for air defence.

1 Squadron of F-5 Tiger IIs, 10 in all. These are mixed types, all upgraded. Some are recon types.


There you go. This was provided by Air Forces Monthly.
 
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I don't think Malaysia had the F18Ds and Mig 29s in 1993, however the RAAF did have 74 F18A/B and 37 F111C/G. The RAAF was by far the best airforce in the region and would take some beating.
 

MacCaulay

Banned
I don't think Malaysia had the F18Ds and Mig 29s in 1993, however the RAAF did have 74 F18A/B and 37 F111C/G. The RAAF was by far the best airforce in the region and would take some beating.

You are correct sir. I rechecked the date on the magazine, and it was 1997. They acquired the MiGs in '95, and the Hornets in '96.
 
The Air War in a scenario like that would easily go Australia's way, provided that the RAAF could get its planes there. Indonesia would have to side with Australia - the F-111s could make it to Malaysia using aerial refueling. The Hornets probably couldn't. Darwin to Kuala Lumpur is nearly 2,300 miles.

The Navy is an Australian win, too. In 1993 they'd have HMAS Success and the Adelaide class frigates, which is more than what the Malaysian Navy can handle just in itself, forget the other vessels the RAN can send up there.
 
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