You’re right, currently the A-4PTM is worse than copy-paste, as it lacks the one thing that could make it useful:
Guided A2G weapons
The Indonesian A-4E would have been a better addition, if they won’t give the PTM Bullpups
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I was somewhat expecting them to go for a three nation solution because that’s what the initial leak said, but Malaysia was very unexpected. I was personally expecting the Philippines instead, with a far more solid connection to Japan.
If I had to guess why it’s Malaysia, I’d say they probably wanted a top tier aircraft at a time when the Indonesian Rafale wasn’t delivered yet, so the Su-30MKM seemed like their only option.
I also think the Philippines would be a great help for a Korean tree to make sure it isn’t just half a tree when it comes, so maybe this was a consideration as well where Malaysia can’t do much with their very top heavy BR distribution and generally low number of options*
The addition has grown on me though. Especially with Malaysia having a very unique approach to military vehicles that I can only hope we will see that properly represented in game at some point.
Some (lesser known) Highlights
Mercedes GD290 mounted with Metis-M ATGM, and equipped with a 360° smoke launcher setup that can be found on most Malaysian ground vehicles.
FV101 Scorpion prototype upgraded by Malaysian KSSB (in cooperation with Thai Chaiseri), featuring a new 215hp diesel engine and Oerlikon 20mm cannon.
PT-91M equipped with thermal camo netting. I know PT-91M is well known, but this camo netting is not.
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The thing is, the first Indonesian Rafales were delivered in November 2025, the update that added Malaysia was the December update of 2025
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The Korean tree would likely have the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos if I were to bet
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I’ve seen people mostly think they would likely go to Chinese TT (with its exports to those countries)
Interesting how we haven’t seen more Vietnamese vehicles… Wasn’t T-34 SPAA the last Vietnamese vehicle added on behalf of Vietnam?
Would be great to finally see them settled somewhere, I want the modernized PT-76-like, BMP-1-like and T-54Ms be there
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Yeah, it’s more of a guess from me. Though I remember some statement about them planning a year ahead, which would again line up with a time of no Indonesian Rafale existing.
Either that or they might not have wanted a Rafale F.4 yet, which would be slightly better than the current F.3R
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I mean, they were pretty quick to add the OSA to Britain, it’s just a camo change after all lol
There is so little difference between the Rafale variants, that they might as well rename the Fr*nch ones, but yeah, that’s definitely a possibility
The Kim Qui boat was the last Vietnamese (operated) vehicle they added, though that’s a South Vietnamese one
As for why there aren’t more of them?
There probably was no reason to add more of them.
really hoping we get drop tanks for the F-104 series soon
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I think the Rafale F3s are going ot keep their current loadouts (alongside M-Scan Typhoons)
With the Rafale F4s coming with MICA IR and/or Meteors (Likewise with the AESA Typhoons getting them/equivalent)
What if F3/3R get Meteor and Mica IR too, but F4 also get Mica NG IR/EM?