SHAH ALAM: It appears that the decision to delay the signing of the two China warships last year may proved to be the end game for the project.
Industry sources told Malaysian Defence at LIMA 2015 recently that in between the time of the supposed signing – last June and March this year, the China-warship project had morphed into the “China -Multi-role Support Ship (MRSS) project. The MRSS is of course a long-term requirement of the Armed Forces.
I am not purview to what had transpired which led to the change but I believed it was mainly due to the intervention of Defence Ministry’s officials.
SHAH ALAM: ON April 6, it was announced that the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $952 million.
Based on the current exchange rate, the Pakistani deal will translate into RM4.33 billion. I guess the Army is aware of this hence the request for six attack helicopters for RMK11 as announced in Parliament last year.
SHAH ALAM: Norwegian manufacturer, Kongsberg Defence Systems, has announced an LOA from Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd for the supply of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and its related equipment.
In a release issued today, Kongsberg stated that it has received a Letter of Award worth approx. 20 MEUR with Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BN Shipyard) in Malaysia, for NSM (Naval Strike Missile) ships equipment.
“BN Shipyard is to design, build and deliver six (6) Littoral Combat Ships for the Royal Malaysian Navy based on the DCNS “Gowind class” design. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in 2020.”
SHAH ALAM: IHS Janes is reporting that Sagem is looking to arm French Air Force Hercules C-130H transport aircraft with precision guided munitions.
As the RMAF C-130 Hercules upgrade remained on stand still – perhaps the idle time could be used to see whether its a capability that its worth investing especially in a low threat environment like ESSCOM.
Yes putting a PGM against a sampan full of armed men is rather expensive but the Hercules or even our Cn-235s offers us the luxury of endurance when it comes to surveillance over our troubled waters. Yes I have made the similar suggestions before but this was too good to be ignored.
SHAH ALAM: The Malaysian Armed Forces is conducting a five-day HADR exercise with its French counterpart codenamed Eks MalFran this week.
The exercise to be held in the waters off Johor, will culminate in an amphibious landing in Kampung Simpang Penyabong in Mersing. The landing force will be staging from the French Navy’s Mistral class amphibious assault ship (LHD) BPC Dixmude.
SHAH ALAM: AS the RMN is set to celebrate its 81st anniversary on April 27, it appears that the service is in a full blown upgrade mode.
At a conference in Singapore earlier in the week, a staff officer gave the full details on the proposed SLEP of the Laksamana class – which envisioned replacing everything apart from the hulls and the associated machineries and upgrade path for the Kedah class – four to be fitted for ASW while two for surface warfare.
At the same time, the staff officer also revealed the service procurement plans, three MRSS, four light frigates, six ASW helicopters, a single hydro-graphic ship and six gun-armed FACs.
SHAH ALAM: Posted below is two paragraphs of an article by Bill Sweetman of Aviation Week published one day ago.
“The new radar is part of Saab’s strategy to continue selling the C/D version into the mid-2020s, as the first E/F versions will not be available for export beyond Sweden and Brazil until 2022. The final C/D on order was delivered to the Swedish air force in February, but Saab’s flexible production line will be able to meet new orders either with all-new aircraft or (at a lower price) Gripen C/Ds produced by modifying Sweden’s inventory of low-time JAS 39A/Bs.”
The article itself is about the latest upgrade of the radar on the Gripen but the paragraphs posted above about the lower price aircraft is especially interesting for a budget challenged country like us.
I have reported previously that RMAF’s preference and possible requirement (I am not purview to the specifications) for a twin-engine aircraft for the MRCA programme probably means that Gripen’s participation as academic only.
SHAH ALAM: The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies has come out with a report titled “Maximising European Combat Air Power Unlocking the Eurofighter’s Full Potential”.
The report is written by Justin Bronk, a research analyst specialising in air power and technology in the Military Sciences team at RUSI. He holds an MSc in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a BA (Hons) in History from York University.
Due to copyright issues I will be only putting some paragraphs from the report which I found relevant and interesting.
The two Scorpene submarines based at the Teluk Sepanggar Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base will be undergoing a refit or maintenance programme to ensure their operational capabilities are in good form, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
At the same time, he said the naval base would undergo construction upgrades on the submarine workshops to help improve the maintenance work on the two submarines –KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak.
“The plan to refit the submarines depends on the upgrades for the naval base. We cannot predict the timeline of the refitting until the upgrade work on the base is completed,” he said on the last day of his three-day official visit here yesterday
“But, the work is ongoing and on schedule.”
Hishammuddin said the Govern-ment wanted the submarines to be in good form for their maximum operational lifespan of 35 years and was working closely with submarine maintenance contractor Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation Sdn Bhd.
The French navy has also stationed an official at the base since 2009 to advise Malaysian officials on the submarines.
The Scorpenes were jointly built in Spain and France.
Hishammuddin had also suggested that the Teluk Sepanggar naval base be equipped with an air defence system in future because of its strategic importance in guarding Malaysia’s maritime borders. (The Star)
By , Group Corporate Communications, Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad
LUMUT, 26 January 2015 – At approximately 1130 hours today, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) hydrographic survey vessel, KD Perantau, was successfully transferred to the Synchrolift at Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) and raised above water.
With the recovery of the ship, preservation and refit work on KD Perantau has recommenced, and every effort will be made to deliver the vessel in line with the original schedule.
BHIC Managing Director, Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor, said: “I am pleased the recovery efforts on KD Perantau have been completed. We are grateful for the support and collaboration of the Royal Malaysian Navy throughout this exercise.”
FIRST AIRBUS A400M FOR MALAYSIA STEPS CLOSER TO MAIDEN FLIGHT
By: Airbus Defence and Space
The first Airbus Defence and Space A400M new generation airlifter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force has taken another step towards its maiden flight with the start of full engine runs and taxying trials. The aircraft, known as MSN22, moved under its own power for the first time on January 26th at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain.
A series of tests at increasingly high speeds will take place in the coming days leading to the first flight.
FIRST AIRBUS A400M FOR MALAYSIA MAKES ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT (PICTURE+VIDEO)
By: Airbus
The first of four Airbus Defence and Space A400M new generation airlifters ordered by the
Royal Malaysian Air Force has made its successful maiden flight, marking a key milestone
towards delivery. The aircraft, known as MSN22, took off from Seville, Spain, on 30 January
at 17:30 local time (GMT+1) and landed back on site 1 hours and 30 minutes later.
The Boeing Company has a distinct advantage over its competitors in offering its Super Hornet jet fighter deal to Malaysia as the aircraft represents an "extremely affordable" offering over the long-term.
The global aircraft manufacturer also stands ready to assist Malaysia in dealing with funding challenges in acquiring the high-endurance fighter jets, more so, due to financial constraints brought on by the global economic slowdown.
"No aircraft in this competition will come close to the affordability that the Super Hornet brings," Howard M Berry, Boeing vice-president for F/A18E/F international sales, global strike, defense, space & security told Bernama.
"When you look at the total lifecycle cost, from acquisition to support for the aircraft throughout its lifetime, including training, logistics and eventually taking the aircraft out of service, the support typically takes up 70 per cent," he said.
He said that Boeing was aware that every nation, including Malaysia, faced challenges at the moment due to falling oil prices and weaker currencies. However, he expressed optimism that "in an ever changing world, oil prices will rebound."
"We have been discussing and working with the Malaysian government. We can do a lot of things financially and deal with any funding challenges it may have in the near term. "At the end of the day, it will obviously be a political decision and we have to see how that plays out," Berry said.
Boeing has been negotiating since 2002 on the Super Hornet deal with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which currently operates eight earlier generation Classic Hornets, the F/A-18Ds.
"We are prepared to stay engaged. This is an important sale for us. We will do everything possible to facilitate the acquisition when the government is ready to move ahead," he said.
According to Berry, the version of the Super Hornet to be sold to Malaysia is called the Block II, which went into operation in 2007, and could easily integrate into current aircraft systems as Malaysia has already been flying the Super Hornet.
Also, the Super Hornet has only been flying for about seven to eight years, making it arguably the newest aircraft in service with the US military.
Berry said so far the aircraft has 1.4 million plus flight hours, thus it is a mature aircraft and operationally relevant. Berry said the benefit that RMAF would get is that the Super Hornet is of a low-risk design.
"When you buy from my competitors, their aircraft are relatively immature and have immature key systems, most notably the radar. They are still developing the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar," he added.
He said the Super Hornet is flying the most advanced AESA radar, the APG-79 by Raytheon, which is without doubt at the forefront of AESA technology and combat-proven. Berry also noted that the Super Hornet F/A-18E/Fs is extremely well suited for its roles.
However, he said that Malaysia has some issues to deal with, such as very long coastlines, Sabah's invasion, maritime patrol as well as air superiority challenges.
"To deal with, you need to have patrol capability. Super Hornet aircraft, for an example, brings the range, the persistent. It brings the two-seat cockpit and twin engines. Twin engines are key, any pilot who spends a lot of time over water will tell you that they like having twin engines.
"The F/A18F is certainly well suited for maritime operations. The two-seat cockpit is key (and) when you are out there over water, looking to exercise sea line control and maritime surveillance, having those second pair of eyes in the jet is important," he said.
At the Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2001, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was defence minister then, flew on the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighter, making him the first defence minister to fly on the two-seater fighter jet piloted by Boeing chief test pilot Dave Desmond.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defence, space and security businesses specialising in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. (BERNAMA)
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officially received its first Bay Class patrol vessel from the Australian government Friday, which will be deployed to enhance maritime security mainly in the Straits of Malacca.
MMEA director-general Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish said the vessel, a gift from Australia, would assist MMEA in tackling people smuggling activities, including those seeking to reach Australia by boat.
"The vessel is also an affirmation of the strong ties and close cooperation between the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and MMEA," he told a press conference after the handing over and official naming ceremony of the vessel officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim here.
In attendance were Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton and ACBPS chief executive officer Roman Quaedvlieg.
Officially named 'Kapal Maritim Perwira', the vessel measuring 34.95m in length is equipped with, among others, closed-circuit television unit and facilities to accommodate suspected illegals.
Mohd Amdan said the vessel, to be stationed in Lumut, Perak, would undertake operations to eradicate trans-national crime like human smuggling activities through MMEA's 'Ops Redback 3' operation in the northern region of Kuala Selangor up to Langkawi, Kedah.
"MMEA is expected to receive its second Bay Class patrol vessel from Australia in May this year which will be stationed at Johor Baru," he added.
Meanwhile, Quaedvlieg told the same press conference that the vessel was viewed as a strategy to combat people smuggling and transnational crime on the high seas.
He noted that the Australian government had gifted Sri Lanka with two Bay Class patrol vessels to undertake similar operations. (Bernama)
PAT DAN PTU MENGHADIRI MAJLIS PENERIMAAN PESAWAT PENGANGKUT A400M PERTAMA TUDM DI SEPANYOL
Panglima Angkatan Tentera, Panglima Tentera Udara serta pengurusan tertinggi Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia berada di Saville, Sepanyol untuk menghadiri majlis penyerahan pesawat A400M yang pertama TUDM. (Foto: Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia)
The Boeing Company, which again will have a big presence at the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition, is committed to being in Malaysia for the long-haul by teaming up with industrial partners to bring about mutually beneficial outcomes.
Vice-President, F/A18E/F International Sales, Global Strike, Defense, Space and Security, Howard Berry, said the aircraft manufacturer was aware that merely offering a capable and affordable product was no longer adequate.
"We recognise the advantages of doing business in Malaysia and this is why sales in the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) programme here are that more exciting for us.
"The Malaysian industry will benefit by getting the technology, job creations, interactions with major corporations and become part of the Boeing supply chain," he told Bernama in an interview recently.
"It is not enough anymore to merely offer a capable or affordable product."
"While those are the essentials, it is becoming more important to bring industrial benefits together with your offerings because governments are looking to make politically smart decisions and spending their money most wisely," he said.
Governments, he said, were not only putting out dollars to make important defense acquisitions but it is also for them to reap benefits industrially as well as generate jobs for the populace.
"I often view Malaysia as this big market that's not fully tapped, it is a good and affordable place to do business."
Malaysia is also doing a good job in very quickly becoming more and more technically advanced so we get the best of both worlds here in terms of affordability and capability and this allows for the opportunity to make further investments."
"We believe Malaysian industry benefits by getting the technology, job creations, interaction with major corporations and they get to become part of the Boeing supply chain," he said.
Berry said Boeing also planned to leverage on LIMA which would be held from March 17-21, as a platform to broaden its dialogue within potential customers in the Southeast Asia region.
Some of the assets Boeing would flaunt at the biennial exhibition include two Super Hornets, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA), P-8 Poseidon, B-52 Stratofortress and F-15 Strike Eagle.
During the exhibition, Boeing would also bring images and models of its new AH-6i 'Little Bird' light attack/reconnaissance helicopter, which would suit the Royal Malaysian Air Force's needs, particularly given its porous borderline.
Berry said Boeing was optimistic that the Malaysian military would give the asset a keen consideration for acquisition.
When asked on any potential collaboration in engineering between Boeing and Malaysia, Berry did not discount the possibility given that the country was quickly becoming technically advanced and it was ready to climb up the value-chain.
"We have discussed with a number of Malaysian industrial entities on how we can bring Malaysian engineers to the United States for training as well as provide support for Boeing," he added.
He reiterated LIMA 2015 would yet be another opportunity to engage key customers in Southeast Asia and expose them to our products and services. (BERNAMA)
Maritime patrol and surveillance were the most prominent themes of this year's LIMA show, as big manufacturers jockeyed to promote their various solutions for the mission.
Industry sources say that Kuala Lumpur is in the process of crystallising a requirement for six to eight long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
The potential requirement attracted attention from a range of companies including Boeing, Saab,Dassault, and Indonesian Aerospace.
Boeing brought its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) technology demonstrator to the show. The type appeared on the static line, and the US airframer briefed media and officials on the MSA's capabilities. A modified Challenger 604 business jet, the unarmed MSA is optimised for high altitude, broad area surveillance.
Saab, Dassault, and Indonesian Aerospace also displayed models of MSA and MPA solutions on their stands.
This is a significant change from the last iteration of the show in 2013, when the only company to actively promote an MPA aircraft was Alenia Aermacchi in the form of its ATR 72MP, a variant of the popular ATR 72-600.
Indonesian Aerospace, which has put forward its CN235 MPA, said it is working on mounting torpedoes under the aircraft's wings - an Indonesian navy CN235 appeared at the show's static line.
It is also looking at ways to add two torpedoes in a recessed cavity under the CN235 MPA's fuselage, which would give the type the ability to carry four torpedoes. It adds that the aircraft's ramp is useful for dropping life rafts and other survival essentials.
For a country with a long coast line and extensive economic interests at sea, Malaysia has limited maritime surveillance capabilities. It operates just four King Air 350 aircraft in the maritime surveillance mission.
Events in recent years have highlighted the growing importance of the maritime domain in Southeast Asia. In early 2013, Kuala Lumpur was caught off guard by the incursion of 200 Filipino gunmen in Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah, which resulted in an armed confrontation with Malaysian military forces. Kuala Lumpur eventually crushed the interlopers with artillery, air strikes and ground forces, but the incident highlighted the vulnerability of Malaysia's long coastlines.
In addition, Beijing is becoming increasingly assertive about disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea, obliging countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines to improve their ability to monitor the ocean domain away from their shores. (Flight Global)
The Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship missile and MBDA VL Mica point defence missile system will equip Malaysia's Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) sources have toldIHS Jane's , although the selection of both systems is awaiting final confirmation by the Malaysian government.
The choice of the two systems reflects a compromise between the RMN and the Malaysian government, which had been sparring over the choice of guided weapon systems for the SGPV-LCS programme since 2012.
Following receipt of a letter of award (LoA) in December 2011, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia's BHIC group, was in July 2014 awarded a MYR9 billion (USD2.4 billion) contract for the design and construction of the six SGPV-LCS vessels. The contract is to be implemented over three Malaysia Plans: 10, 11 and 12.
The SGPV-LCS is based on the DCNS Gowind 2500 corvette design. However, while source selections have been completed for most combat system equipment, final decisions on the choice of anti-air and anti-ship missiles have been delayed by differences between the navy and the government.
The RMN had originally recommended Raytheon's RIM-162 Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) for the surface-to-air missile requirement and NSM for the anti-ship missile requirement. These were selected following evaluation against MBDA's VL Mica and MM40 Block 3 Exocet missiles.
However, the Malaysian government directed that VL Mica should be chosen, to simplify integration on the Gowind design (which will use DCNS' Setis combat management system). In the case of the Exocet the RMN already uses the missile, so selection would simplify logistical support.
RMN sources said the navy had argued that ESSM and NSM offered better performance against operational criteria. In the case of the NSM, the RMN argued it did not want to be over-reliant on the Exocet, which has long been in service globally and of which the capabilities are familiar to many navies operating in the region.
Systems already contracted for since the LoA award in 2011 include the DCNS SETIS combat management system, Thales SMART-S Mk 2 3-D multibeam radar, Rheinmetall's TMEO Mk 2 TMX/electro-optical (EO) radar/EO tracking and fire control system, and a Thales CAPTAS-2 variable depth sonar.
Weapons systems include BAE Systems' 57 mm Mk 3 naval gun (housed in a reduced radar cross section cupola), two MSI-Defence Seahawk 30 mm guns, and two J+S triple tube torpedo launcher systems.
The RMN's current planning schedule calls for sea trials in 2018 and entry into service in 2019 for the first SGPV-LCS ship, which has yet to be officially named. (IHS Jane's Defence Weekly)
SINGAPORE, March 19 (Bernama) -- Defence and security company Saab has received a letter of award from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) for the supply of an electronic surveillance payload (ESP) system.
In a statement, Saab said the system would be used for training at Malaysia's Electronic Warfare Support Centre.
It said the award would not only strengthen Saab ties with the RMAF but also signified its long-term commitment to Malaysia.
Head of Saab in Malaysia Thomas Linden said the system would enable the RMAF to enhance its electronic warfare competence and capability.
Saab provides world-leading products, services and solutions in military defence and civil security. (Bernama)
Malaysian company Altriz Technology is currently developing a Bridge Shiphandling Simulator (BSS) for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), to go alongside an earlier Fleetwork Trainer (FWT) already in operation. Together, these systems comprise what is labelled the Altriz Naval Training Simulator.
The BSS, an integrated bridge system, replicates actual ship bridges where officers can train in ship navigation and ship manoeuvring. Screens show instrumentation such as GPS displays, engine order telegraphs, electronic chart display information systems and radar displays.
Syafiq Jasmin, a senior software engineer, said Altriz commenced the project in June 2014 following a specific request from the RMN. The system uses realistic 3D modelling, and the aim is to create consoles that permit trainees a 270o view. Different weather conditions and atmospheric phenomena can be simulated.
Altriz states it uses ‘top-quality commercial off-the-shelf components to lower total cost of ownership’. The base system can also be easily customised to suit a client’s need. Thus, commercial shipbuilders are another target group for Altriz so they can demonstrate their own designs to clients.
The computer-based FWT, already in service with the RMN at the KD Pelandok naval training centre in Lumut, allows sailors to train in tactical communications and ship manoeuvring. Altriz claims, ‘It integrates computing power, 3D modelling, ship hydrodynamics, oceanography, environment and navigation charts to produce near-realistic training environments for the officers on board.’
The simulator’s screens give operators a panoramic sea view, while hydrodynamics replicates roll, pitch and yaw. A flag-hoisting feature permits sailors to train in visual signalling, while navigational elements such as turn, acceleration and deceleration replicate the characteristics of individual ship classes. Students usually learn in groups of ten, each with their own computer. A recent innovation at the RMN’s request was the addition of a radar function.
Jasmin said LIMA 2015 has given good publicity to his company. He commented that countries like Brunei and Vietnam have shown interest in the Altriz Naval Training Simulator. (Shepard)
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