RMN's Scorpene Submarine Can Now Dive

26 Maret 2010

The Royal Malaysian Navy Scorpene-type submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was floated out and made ready to resume its training schedule. (photo : standupper)

SINGAPORE— The spanking new Royal Malaysian Navy Scorpene-type submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, which recently suffered technical setbacks, is now ready for dive trials.

Its designer and builder, DCNS, said today, the submarine had completed its first sea trials off the Malaysian coast, following scheduled maintenance at its home port in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah.

In a statement here, the company said the trials confirmed the boat’s readiness for underwater service. It said following maintenance, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was floated out and made ready to resume its training schedule, including dive trials by the Malaysian crew off its home coast.

“These trials demonstrate that the Royal Malaysian Navy has successfully established the country’s first ever submarine force,” said Pierre Quinchon, head of DCNS Submarine division.

The contract between the Malaysian Government and DCNS for two Scorpene submarines and associated logistics and training was signed in June 2002.
The second submarine, KD Tun Abdul Razak, currently in Toulon, is scheduled to sail from France to Malaysia in May.

Apart from Malaysia, two other countries have ordered the Scorpene submarines — Chile (two units) and India (six).

The Scorpene was designed by DCNS and developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia.

(Bernama)

Malaysia Issues RFIs for Fighters and AEW Aircraft

25 Maret 2010

Boeing F/A-18EF Super Hornet (photo : Flight Global)

Malaysia has issued a request for information for fighters and airborne early warning aircraft, with a view to placing orders in 2011-15.

The sudden flurry of activity has occurred because Malaysia's government is now formulating its 10th five-year national plan for the 2011-15 period, say industry sources.

Sukhoi Su-30MKM (photo : XAirforces)

Kuala Lumpur wants information on fighters such as the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saab Gripen. Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport has stated publicly that it will offer the Sukhoi Su-30.

Malaysia wants to order enough aircraft for one to two squadrons, potentially totalling 36-40 airframes. It is seeking to phase out its older fighters, such as the Northrop F-5, and simplify its fleet.

Saab Gripen (photo : Aereo)

Boeing and Sukhoi are arguably the strongest contenders because Malaysia already operates eight F/A-18Ds, that it ordered in the early 1990s, and 18 Su-30s that it ordered in 2003.

Meanwhile, the RFI for two AEW aircraft will bring the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and Saab Erieye system in contention. The Swedish manufacturer has already been successful in selling one Erieye-equipped Saab 340 to Thailand, in addition to a first batch of six Gripens. The radar has also already been integrated with the Embraer EMB-145 and Saab 2000.

Lockheed Martin F-16 (photo : David Raykovitz)

Northrop has previously sold E-2Cs to Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. The company is considered unlikely to offer the developmental E-2D for the Malaysian requirement.

Even though Malaysia has issued the new RFIs, suppliers have reason to be sceptical about its ability to progress to a contract award, as it has twice launched similar competitions in the past. A failure to follow-through with orders this time could result in some companies being reluctant to entertain future requests, some industry sources warn.

(Flight International)

Malaysia to Order CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Indonesia

25 Maret 2010

RMAF's CN-235 (photo : Flight Global)

Malaysia is planning to sign a letter of intent in April for four Indonesian Aerospace CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.

Air force officials, including chief of staff Rodzali bin Daud, have been negotiating with Indonesia's state-owned aircraft-maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia for the purchase, say industry sources.
The two sides hope to sign a letter of intent at the Defence Services Asia show in Kuala Lumpur in late April, they add.

Malaysia needs maritime patrol aircraft because its air force has been relying largely on four Beechcraft Super King Airs that it received in 1994. One of these was recently upgraded with a Thales radar and a second is to undergo the same work in the coming months.

The air force wants the CN-235MPAs to widen its operations and improve payload performance, say industry sources. The service already operates CN-235 transports, so Indonesia's offering provides some fleet commonality.

Malaysia has considered other types, such as a version of the Fokker 50. Fokker Services Asia had pushed the model as a cheaper alternative, and made a proposal to have some commercial Fokker 50s recently phased out by Malaysia Airlines converted for the maritime patrol mission by national maintenance, repair and overhaul firm Airod. Malaysian government investment firm Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad owns the retired aircraft.

(Flight International)

Impor Alutsista Malaysia 2009

16 Maret 2010

(SIPRI 2010)

Korea's Hyangro Bong fills gap in Malaysian LST capability

11 Maret 2010

Hyangbo Rong LST (photo : Wiki)

The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) is to loan the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) with one of its four Alligator-class tank landing ships (LSTs), Hyangro Bong , this year as an interim measure to fill a gap in the latter's afloat logistics and amphibious capability.

The RMN's only large amphibious ship, the 8,450-ton Newport-class LST, KD Sri Inderapura , was gutted by a fire on 8 October 2009 creating an urgent requirement for new tactical sealift and logistic ships.

Hyangro Bong displaces 4,278 tons and has a military lift capacity of 200 troops, 15 main battle tanks, six 3-ton vehicles and four LCVPs. It has a platform for a helicopter the size of a UH-60A and is fitted with two 40 mm guns and two 20 mm guns.

Built by Korea Tacoma (now Hanjin Heavy Industries), four ships of the class entered service in the RoKN from 1993 to 1999.

The RMN's only other major transport assets are two 4,200-ton logistic support ships, KD Sri Indera Sakti and KD Mahawangsa . Approval for new construction to replace Sri Inderapura is unlikely to be initiated before 2011-12 due to funding pressures.

(Jane's)

Malaysia Puts Faith in King Airs

11 Maret 2010

RMAF's Beech Kings Air (photo : cavok)

Malaysia is relying on Beechcraft King Air aircraft to fulfil its immediate needs for surveillance aircraft.

The air force has four King Airs, that it bought in 1994, and one has just been upgraded with Thales radar, say well-placed industry sources.

Malaysian maintenance, repair and overhaul firm Airod was responsible for the upgrade programme, and is to upgrade one more of the air force's King Airs with Thales radar, say the sources.

Besides the air force, Malaysia's police force recently took delivery of three King Airs and the final two on order will be fitted with more advanced equipment, says one industry source. These two King Airs will have 360° radar as well as FLIR infrared with downlinks.

The police's first three King Air aircraft are mostly used for rapid deployment and have equipment for medical evacuation work. But the other two aircraft, which will be in operation next year, will be used for surveillance work in coastal areas.
Malaysia has a long-term ambition to get airborne early warning aircraft and has looked at the Northrop Grumman E-2D and Saab 2000 Erieye. But budget constraints has meant it is unclear when Malaysia will have the funds to place an order.

(Flight International)

Maiden Flight for Micro Aircraft

8 Maret 2010



Fulmar UAV (photo : Cari)

JASIN: The Sungai Rambai Microlight Park here capped a milestone recently when it hosted the maiden test flight of the Fulmar SR08, Malaysia’s latest multi-role unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The RM1.5mil UAV, designed and built by Unmanned Systems Technology Sdn Bhd (UST), was launched from a specially built two-man launch catapult. It spent almost an hour flying some 500m above ground.



READY TO FLY: The firm’s staff members getting the SR08 Fulmar fixed on the catapult for its maiden flight at the Sungai Rambai Microlight Airstrip in Jasin recently.



Fulmar UAV was launch by catapult (photo : KLSR)



UST general manager Mohd Khalizi Mohd Razak said the Fulmar SR08 was part of the company’s ongoing effort to tap the growing international UAV market.

He said the composite-body Fulmar SR08 had a 2m wing span, a range of 50km and eight-hour flight capability.



“It can easily be fitted with sensors including night vision cameras to allow use for commercial and security surveillance purposes.



INTERESTING: Hasan (centre) taking a closer look at the ground command station.



“When one mentions UAV, most think it is used only by the military, like the model known as Predator.



“We hope to create awareness that UAVs are not used solely by the military but can be used by the commercial sector,” he said at the airstrip here.



The UAVs could be used by the agriculture sector to monitor tracts of plantation and farm land, he said, adding that it could be fitted with sensors to gauge the moisture content of an area.



“It can even be used by highway operators such as PLUS to monitor traffic flow along highways instead of relying on helicopters which are expensive,” said Mohd Khalizi.



UAVs could also be used by enforcement agencies in surveillance on smuggling or illegal logging, he said.



Besides testing the Fulmar SR08, UST showed off its smaller 3kg single-camera Aludra UAV that can cover a 15km radius on a maximum 90-minute flight duration.



Mohd Khalizi said the Fulmar SR08 and the single-camera Aludra together with their computer and ground-control systems could be deployed at a cost of RM1.3mil.



UST, a subsidiary of Composite Technology Research Malaysia, spent several years and RM10mil on research and development to produce the first fleet of UAVs in Malaysia and the Asean region, he added.



The company, in collaboration with the Defence Ministry, deployed its Aludra MKI to carry out aerial surveillance in Semporna, Sabah, under Ops Pasir.



Meanwhile, Sungai Rambai assemblyman Datuk Hasan Abd Rahman, also the deputy chairman of the Malacca Youth and Sports Committee, said he was proud that UST had chosen to use the microlight aircraft park for the Fulmar SR08’s maiden flight.



The airstrip has come a long way since its operations began in 1999.

“With the state’s support, we have been able to upgrade it to include a hangar, fencing and a watchtower,” he said.



He said he would lobby to the secretariat overseeing Sukma XIII in Malacca this June to use the UAVs to monitor sports events such as sailing and long-distance cycling and running.



He would also apply to the Youth and Sports Ministry for a RM200,000 allocation for upgrading works on the airstrip to allow light aircraft to use it during emergencies, he added.



(The Star)

MYR 7bio ($ 2.07 bio) is Expected to Propose Procurement and Development Funding for Malaysian Plan 2011-2015

4 Maret 2010

MiG-29N of the RMAF (photo : Militaryphotos)

Malaysia Reverses Plans to Mothball MiG-29 Fleet

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia --- The Malaysian government has announced that it will continue to operate 10 of its 16 MiG-29N interceptors until 2015, reversing plans to decommission the aircraft by the end of 2010. A plan to replace the MiG-29s with a new fighter aircraft has been delayed by the economic downturn.

However, maintaining the aircraft will impose burdens of its own since the aircraft’s engines need to be overhauled every year and the weaponry for the fighter jets has reached the end of its life span.

The 10th Five-Year Malaysian Plan (2011-2015) is expected to propose procurement and development funding of MYR7 billion ($2.07 billion) for the entire defense and security sector, with approximately MYR5 billion being allocated for defense proper.

Nearly half of this funding will be allocated to replenish war stocks (missiles, bombs, and ammunition), with relatively little money being left for new procurement efforts.

At least 30 percent of the available money would be reserved for purchases from the national defense industry.

(Defense Aerospace)

Five Cavalry and Mechanised Regiments will be Equipped with 8x8 APC Started from Tenth Malaysian Plan

2 Maret 2010



Proposed Zimbru 2000 for the Malaysian Army (photo : KLSR)



KLS: Malaysian Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin announced that the Joint Chiefs Committee has already agreed to equip all five cavalry and mechanized regiments with new type of 8x8 APC.



He said the acquisition program was already registered under the Tenth Plan.

He added Condors and Sibmas APC will reach its service life in near future, and it is not cost effective to refurbish those obsolete platforms anymore.



Apart from that, he said the Army is also planning to equip those 8x8 APC with long range Anti-Tank Missile missile.



The traditional local shipbuilder - BHIC, is also devoting itself in promoting 8x8 APC. BHIC is colloborating with Romanian ROMARM company to study the posibility of assembling Zimbru 2000 8x8 APC in Malaysia and supply to the Army.



(KLSReview)

Ideally, Army are Looking at between 6 and 12 Attack Helicopters

1 Maret 2010

Malaysian Army wants purchase of attack helicopter expanding the 11 AW-109 as light observation helicopters (photo : Finmeccanica)

Army Eyes Attack Copter

KUALA LUMPUR: While the emphasis is on expanding its light-observation helicopters (LOH), the army wants to boost its mobility and firepower with the eventual purchase of attack helicopters.

Army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin said the Defence Ministry was all for buying more LOH to supplement the 11 AgustaWestland 109 helicopters and 10 Aerospatiale SA316 Alouette III helicopters serving with the 881st air corps squadron.

"This is the priority in view of satisfying the Nuri (Sikorsky S-61) replacement programme in the next three years so that we have a sufficient fleet of combat search and rescue helicopters.

"But, in the long run, we are looking at procuring attack helicopters for the purpose of tank-hunting and to destroy enemy radars, bunkers and troop formations," he said at the ministry's office in Jalan Padang Tembak, in conjunction with the 77th anniversary of Army Day today.

Ismail said attack helicopters were costly and an expensive platform to operate, given the long period to train personnel and equip the squadrons.

"Ideally, we are looking at between six and 12 attack helicopters to form a reasonably effective squadron.

"But that will depend largely on the budget allocation." The same reasoning, he added, applied to the army's ambition of supplementing its arsenal and equipment.

The army's artillery includes 36 Artillery Saturation Rocket System (Astros II) multiple launch rocket systems and 28 G5 MkIII towed artillery guns from South Africa.

Air defence is provided by a mix of Swiss Oerlikon twin 35mm and Swedish Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns and missile systems such as the Jernas and Starburst from Britain, Anza from Pakistan, FN-6 from China and Igla from Russia.

The army, Ismail said, was poised to establish a second Astros regiment by next year and eventually increase the strength to a third by the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Astros is developed and manufactured by Avibras Aerospacial SA of Sao Paulo, Brazil. In August 2007, Malaysia placed an order for a second batch of 18 Astros II systems. The first batch of 18 systems was delivered in 2002.

Starburst is a man-portable, surface-to-air missile produced by Shorts Missile Systems of Belfast, Northern Ireland (now known as Thales Air Defence Limited).Ismail said by the end of the year, the army's main-battle tank squadrons would be fully operational with the delivery of PT-91 Pendekar and support vehicles. The army procured 48 PT-91 from Poland in 2007.

"We are also seeking 20 units of 6x6 heavy vehicles as replacement for the ageing Radpanzer Condor armoured personnel carriers, especially to facilitate United Nations' peacekeeping duties."

Apart from the 460 Radpanzer Condor APCs, the army operates 26 FV101 Scorpion 90 tracked armoured reconnaissance vehicles; 184 Sibma 90 armoured fighting support vehicles; 211 Adnan armoured infantry fighting vehicles; 111 K-200 Korean infantry fighting vehicles; 25 Stormer APCs; and 80 BV206 armoured tracked vehicles.

To enhance security of its armouries, Ismail said there were plans to install biometric fingerprint scanners to monitor the access and movement of firearms and other arsenal.

"If a soldier fails to return his firearm after duty within the stipulated period, an alarm will buzz. These are ways to minimise unauthorised use of ammunition and weapons."

On another note, Ismail said the army regularly reviewed the terms and conditions of service, remuneration, career development and basic amenities to improve the quality of life of soldiers of all ranks.

"There are 31 ongoing projects to renovate and upgrade dilapidated camps, barracks and offices. Thirty new camps -- including four that have been completed -- will meet the demand."

The four camps already built are the Mahkota Camp in Kluang, Johor; Pulada Camp in Ulu Tiram, Johor; Wardieburn Camp in Kuala Lumpur; and Kubota Camp in Tawau, Sabah.

On education, the army has to date sponsored 6,365 servicemen for further studies in line with competency-based training assessment and to make them marketable.

"Under the 'from the cradle to the grave' concept, a soldier's welfare and job satisfaction is looked into so that he is inspired to self-develop and synergise with the expectations and aspirations of the army.

"This will, in turn, help mould a credible and professional force," Ismail said.

(New Straits Times)

May Date for RMAF Sukhoi Simulator

27 Februari 2010

Sukhoi Su-30 flight simulator - Indian version (photo : Trishul)

PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKM simulator system is expected to be operational by May.

The system was supposed to be commissioned this month but defence industry sources told The Malay Mail it was not ready.

Last December, HeiTech Padu Bhd president Safiee Mohammad had said the simulator, which includes two high-fidelity Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (TOFT) and computer-based trainer (CBT), would be operational by this month.

Attempts to contact Safiee to clarify the delay were unsuccessful. HeiTech developed the simulator with input from the Sukhoi Design Bureau, the designer of the 30MKM and Irkut planes.

Defence industry sources said Russian engineers would arrive next month to install the system to be housed at a specially designed complex at the Gong Kedak air base where the Sukhoi squadron is based.

“If the trials go well, the simulator is expected to be commissioned by May,” a source said.

The TOFT was developed for full mission training using the Distributed Mission Training concept. This will allow the training mission to be done using more than one simulated aircraft simultaneously.

The RMAF has taken delivery of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft that were procured in 1999 for RM3.4 billion.

On Dec 14 , 2006, HeiTech announced it had signed an agreement with the Malaysian government to design and build the flight simulator for the Sukhoi SU-30MKM for RMAF. The value of the 13-year contract is RM258 million.

(MalayMail)

Tentera Darat Malaysia Akan Wujudkan Unit Helikopter Tempur

25 Februari 2010


ATLAS AVIATION Afrika Selatan dan Malaysia pada tahun 1995 membahas opsi ko-produksi untuk 12-24 helikopter CSH-2 Rooivalk, untuk memenuhi kebutuhan helikopter serang angkatan darat Malaysia (photo : Military Today)

KUALA LUMPUR -- Tentera Darat akan memperkukuhkan lagi ketumbukan pasukan itu dengan mewujudkan Unit Helikopter Tempur sebagai memperlengkapkan sayap pertahanannya.

Panglima Tentera Darat Jeneral Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin berkata Selasa, permohonan telah dibuat di peringkat tertinggi Kementerian Pertahanan tetapi keputusan pembelian helikopter tempur itu bergantung kepada peruntukan kerajaan.

"Tentera Darat telah membuat permohonan untuk mendapatkan aset itu dalam Rancangan Malaysia ke-10 (RMK-10), namun tertakluk kepada kemampuan kerajaan untuk memperolehi aset berkenaan," katanya ketika sesi wawancara khas bersama media sempena ulangtahun ke-77 Tentera Darat di Kementerian Pertahanan di sini, Selasa.

Beliau bagaimanapun menyatakan jenis dan jumlah pesawat tempur itu belum diputuskan kerana masih di peringkat perbincangan.

AW-109 yang sudah dimiliki Angkatan Darat Malaysia (photo : Militaryphotos)

Sempena ulangtahun itu yang bakal disambut pada 1 Mac ini, yang bertemakan "Tentera Darat Mendokong Aspirasi Rakyat dan Kedaulatan Negara", satu perbarisan akan diadakan di Kem Sungai Besi di sini.

Tentera Darat akan mengadakan pertunjukan udara dengan menampilkan tetamu khas Leftenan Raja Muda Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris Sultan Ibrahim sebagai pembantu juruterbang pada hari itu.

Muhammad Ismail berkata pihaknya turut berpuas hati dan menghargai liputan serta kerjasama baik media mengenai kejayaan Tentera Darat.

Mengulas mengenai pemilihan semula Malaysia untuk mengetuai pasukan pemantau di Mindanao, Filipina, beliau berkata Tentera Darat akan menggalas sepenuh tanggungjawab dalam mengepalai Tim Pemantau Antarabangsa-Mindanao (TPA-M V) itu.

"Tentera Darat yakin boleh melaksanakan misi itu dengan jayanya. Pasukan itu dibarisi oleh pegawai dan anggota yang berpengalaman dan terlatih," katanya.

Pasukan yang akan diketuai oleh pegawai kanan ATM yang berpangkat Mejar Jeneral itu terdiri daripada 12 pegawai dan seorang anggota lain-lain pangkat dari Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM), tiga pegawai Polis Diraja Malaysia dan empat pegawai perkhidmatan awam.

(Bernama)

MiGs Will Fly For At Least Another Five Years - Zahid

24 Februari 2010

RMAF's MiG-29N, goverment to continue using jets after repairs (photo : Airliners)

KUANTAN, (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) MiG-29N aircraft will fly for at least another five years, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the government had decided to continue operating the Russian-made aircraft although there was a proposal to retire and sell them to third world countries.

"The decision was based on the capability of the aircraft (MIG-29N) in executing the tasks given," he told reporters after visiting the RMAF base here on Tuesday.
Zahid said factors considered include the country's economy which had yet to fully recover from the economic slowdown.

"We plan to buy more multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) but the economic situation is preventing it," he said.The government also considered a suggestion by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who in his blog said the MIG-29N aircraft should be in service.

Zahid said Aerospace Technique System Corporation Sdn Bhd (ATSC) would be asked to refurbish the aircraft by upgrading the equipments at lower costs.

The government had expected to save RM260 million annually with the retirement of the MIGs on Dec 31.

Meanwhile, RMAF chief Gen Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud said only ten MIG aircraft would be taking to the skies as six others had been decommissioned.

(Bernama)

Regional Air Force Directory 2010 (1)

21 Februari 2010

Majalah Asian Military Review terbitan Januari 2010 memuat direktori angkatan udara di kawasan Asia. Berikut adalah direktori angkatan udara negara-negara di Asia Tenggara dan Oceania yang disusun menurut urutan alfabet.

Australia

Brunei

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Malaysia

(Asian Military Review)

Mencari Pengganti Inderapura

17 Februari 2010

TLDM tinggal mempunyai satu kapal pengangkut yaitu KD Sri Indera Sakti (photo : Ed Early)

PEMODENAN aset-aset ketenteraan merupakan langkah ke arah mentransformasikan sesebuah pasukan angkatan tentera menjadi pasukan yang seimbang, berwibawa, bersepadu dan bersedia menghadapi cabaran dalam menghadapi sebarang konflik.

Tidak ketinggalan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM), yang kini semakin giat melaksanakan pemodenan ketenteraan dengan penuh profesionalisme dalam usaha memperkukuhkan lagi struktur angkatannya.

Keunggulan ATM jelas terserlah apabila angkatan itu kini memiliki aset yang kukuh dengan bilangan kapal perang dan pesawat pejuang terbaru.

Perolehan kapal selam KD Tunku Abdul Rahman dalam inventori terkini angkatan itu misalnya menjadikan ATM semakin gah di mata dunia.

Pembelian beberapa aset untuk cabang-cabang perkhidmatan ATM juga amat tepat selaras dengan hasrat angkatan itu untuk menjadi satu organisasi yang cekap dan siapsiaga.

Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) misalnya sedang berusaha untuk membuat perolehan baru untuk keperluan operasi kerana faktor keusangan kapal-kapal perang yang telah dimamah usia melebihi 25 tahun dan penyerahan sebahagian kapal-kapal ronda sedia ada kepada Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM).

Aset Terkini

KD Lekiu frigat serbaguna milik TLDM (photo : A. Zainul)

Justeru, TLDM kini giat berusaha menambah aset terkini seperti perolehan kapal selam, kapal frigat pelbagai guna, kapal kecil 'Littoral Combatant Ship (LCS)', kapal frigat latihan, kapal penangkis periuk api dan helikopter anti kapal selam demi mempertingkatkan tahap kesiagaan setanding negara jiran.

Sehubungan itu, TLDM sejak lima tahun lalu telah pun merencanakan program memperoleh kapal logistik pelbagai guna terutama bagi melengkapi kegunaan Pasukan Angkatan Bersama (PAB) kerana kapal-kapal sedia ada tidak mampu menampung keperluan tersebut.

Malah, kegunaan mendesak bagi Operasi Fajar mengawasi keselamatan kapal-kapal dagang di Teluk Aden di Somalia menyaksikan TLDM melalui Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) terpaksa mengubah suai kapal kontena Bunga Mas 5 milik MISC Bhd. sebagai kapal bantuan pelbagai guna.

Sehubungan itu, Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi (LIMA) 2009 yang berlangsung di Pusat Pameran Antarabangsa (MIEC) Langkawi pada 1 hingga 5 Disember lalu dilihat sebagai platform terbaik untuk TLDM mencari aset barunya dengan menjadikan kapal-kapal perang asing yang hadir sebagai panduan.

Kebanyakan kapal asing yang datang berlabuh di Awana Porto Malai di Pulau Langkawi itu merupakan kapal sokongan pelbagai guna (MSS) yang mempunyai pelbagai fungsi dan TLDM dilihat perlu memilikinya sebagai aset ketenteraan negara yang baru.

Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, kerajaan sememangnya sedang mempertimbangkan untuk memiliki tiga kapal MSS menjelang 2015 bagi memperkukuhkan kawalan keselamatan di perairan negara.

Langkah itu, katanya, diperkukuhkan lagi dengan kejadian kapal pengangkut milik TLDM, iaitu KD Sri Inderapura yang terbakar ketika berlabuh di Pangkalan TLDM Lumut pada 8 Oktober tahun lalu.
"Jadi ketika ini negara hanya memiliki sebuah kapal pengangkut iaitu KD Sri Indera Sakti dan dengan itu ATM berpendapat negara harus memiliki kapal lain yang mempunyai pelbagai fungsi selain kapal pengangkut," katanya.

Antara kapal perang asing yang hadir memeriahkan segmen maritim sempena LIMA 2009 lalu ialah dua kapal dari Pakistan iaitu PNS Khaibar dan PNS Moawin, ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun Shin dan ROKS Dokdo dari Korea dan BRP Quezon dan BRP Dagupan City dari Filipina.
Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (AS) pula menghantar kapal pemusnah USS Mustin, Singapura pula dengan Formidable, Australia dengan HMAS Glenelg, Thailand (HTMS Songkhla) dan INS Kesari dari India.

Kesemua kapal asing itu mempunyai kelebihan dan kecanggihannya yang tersendiri.
Persoalannya, adakah Malaysia terutamanya melalui TLDM sudah menemui kapal yang sesuai untuk dijadikan aset terbaru pasukan itu bukan sahaja untuk mencari pengganti KD Sri Inderapura tetapi dalam usaha TLDM memiliki sebuah kapal MSS yang canggih dan mencapai tahap dominan bagi mengawasi perairan negara jika berlaku ancaman hebat.

KD Sri Inderapura kini telah musnah dan tidak boleh digunakan lagi akibat kerosakan total dalam kejadian kebakaran itu dan ia seperti sukar diperoleh di pasaran selain faktor alat ganti terlalu mahal.

Adakah TLDM akan membeli kapal baru itu dari Korea Selatan, Jerman atau Perancis bagi menggantikan KD Seri Inderapura. Kerajaan Korea Selatan juga dikatakan bersedia memberi sebuah kapal pendarat sebelum kapal baru disiapkan.

Ahmad Zahid berkata, kerajaan akan membuka tender termasuk di peringkat antarabangsa untuk membuat penilaian mengenai harga, reka bentuk dan spesifikasi kapal sebelum membuat pembelian.

"Buat masa ini kita juga telah menghantar pegawai ke beberapa negara untuk meninjau dan membuat penilaian mengenai kapal tersebut," katanya.

Menurutnya, jika tiada sebarang masalah, kemungkinan kerajaan akan memulakan pembelian kapal menggantikan Inderapura pada pertengahan tahun ini.

Dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) sememangnya sudah ada perancangan ATM untuk memiliki kapal MSS bagi menyediakan keperluan ketiga-tiga perkhidmatannya dalam sesuatu misi.

Selepas tragedi kebakaran yang menimpa KD Sri Inderapura, hanya dua kapal logistik iaitu KD Sri Indera Sakti dan KD Mahawangsa yang tinggal dan situasi ini sangat meruncing untuk mengatur gerak keperluan-keperluan semasa yang sangat mendesak.

Sebagai peningkatan terhadap aset sedia ada di samping memperkasakan keupayaan mobiliti Angkatan Bersama ATM, kapal MSS sepatutnya berupaya untuk mengangkut pesawat helikopter, kenderaan-kenderaan seperti kereta kebal, kereta perisai dan anggota tentera dalam jumlah yang besar ke lokasi operasi yang dirancang.

Kapal logistik terbesar yang pernah dimiliki TLDM setakat ini ialah KD Sri Inderapura.
Kini, sudah tiba masanya negara memiliki sekurang-kurangnya sebuah kapal sokongan pelbagai guna atau MSS ke arah mengoptimumkan keupayaan pertahanan negara.

Walaupun bebas dan selamat daripada ancaman musuh, negara masih memerlukan peralatan dan kelengkapan yang gah. Jika tidak, negara akan ketinggalan dalam aspek kecanggihan teknologi perkapalan terkini.

Sekiranya perkara demikian tidak diambil kira, tidakkah negara luar akan melihat Malaysia masih menggunakan kapal lama dalam usaha menjaga perairan negara sekali gus beranggapan negara tidak serius dan mengambil ringan aspek keselamatan perairan negara.

(Utusan)

Further Delay in RMN Submarine Tropical Trials

12 Februari 2010

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (photo : Militaryphotos)

Negotiations Over Cost Between Government and Boustead DCNS Continues

KUALA LUMPUR: KD Tunku Abdul Rahman tropical water trials has been delayed again until next week after another defect was discovered on Jan 17.

Royal Malaysian Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar when confirming this afternoon told reporters that the engineeers from Bousted DCNS Naval Corp Sdn Bhd had traced the defect to the high pressure air blowing system inside the submarine's ballast tank. The ballast tanks which can be filled with water or air are used to control when a submarine surface or submerge.

He said the defect was found during routine checks and the defective part had been replaced and work was underway to certify that every thing was working well.

"We will conduct the tropical water trials on Feb 18 where the submarine will be diving. Our submariners are also anxious to go back underwater," he told reporters after attending a ceremony to present the credentials for the National Service Training Council at the Defence Ministry yesterday.

Abdul Aziz said although the problem was not common it was not a major fault.
“It’s a teething problem, not major but we still needed to be careful.” he added.
He said the first defect was detected in the submarine’s Forward Sea Water Cooling System, on Dec 17.

Meanwhile, as KD Tunku Abdul Rahman prepared to conduct its delayed Tropical Water Trials, another "battle" is going on shore.

The "battle" is the extended negotiations with Bouestead DCNS Naval Corp Sdn Bhd for the multi-year integrated service and support for the Perdana-Menteri-class submarines. And the negotiations carried on as DCNS scrambled to fix the tehnical defect on KD Tunku Abdul Rahman which prevented it to dive.

The RMN procured two submarines, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak, for some RM3.4 billion in 2002 from a partnership of French and Spanish shipbuilders, DCNS and Navantia.

On Oct 22 last year, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad had told Parliament that the maintenance cost for the two submarines, including spare parts, would be about RM270 million a year.

The negotiations on the service agreement, The Malay Mail was informed, had reached an impasse. Boustead DCNS is a joint-venture between BHIC Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of public-listed Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd, and France-based DCNS S.A.

In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, last June, Boustead Heavy Industries had said the government had expressed intent to award a contract worth RM600 million to its joint-venture unit for in-service support for the RMN's Scorpene submarines.

It told Bursa Malaysia that the the government, in its letter of intent (LOI) dated June 3, stated its intention to have a contract with Boustead DCNS.

However, The Malay Mail was informed that despite the LOI, the government was unhappy with the sum Boustead DCNS wanted and asked for the contract price to be lowered.

It was hoped the negotiations would have been finalised for a contract to be signed at Lima 2009 in Langkawi last December. However it has dragged on, a local defence industry source said. There was also talk the contract could be signed during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition in April, but nothing has been confirmed.

"As the warranty for the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman ends in May, our hope is that the negotiations will be finalised soon so that there will no be problem in supporting the submarine and the KD Tun Abdul Razak when it arrives in the middle of the year," the source said.

The Malay Mail reported yesterday that the country's sole submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, suffered a technical defect that prevented it from diving for three months.

The problem was fixed last week. The defect forced the RM1 billion plus French-built Scorpene submarine to delay tropical water trials that were scheduled to be completed by the end of January.

As a result, builder DCNS SA extended the warranty for the submarine, which was supposed to expire on Jan 25, until May so the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman could complete its trials — the first step to obtaining its Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

RMN chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar had said the trials started this week. The submarine was commissioned early last year after undergoing two years of trials in France.

It is expected to complete all trials by May and be cleared for operations in the same month. It is also expected to conduct the live firing of its SM39 Exocet anti-ship missile in May.

(MalayMail)