Royal Malaysian Navy's Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman proves RMN's capabilities

The Royal Malaysian Navy's Scorpene submarine fleet, which has been a subject of discussion on social media recently, proved its naysayers wrong after KD Tunku Abdul Rahman submarine succesfully completed a week-long journey from its base in Sepanggar, Sabah to the Lumut RMN naval base here today.RMN Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Datuk Abdul Hadi A. Rashid said the seven day journey - which passed without incident - was proof that the navy's submarines were not as unreliable as painted by the online community.

"As you can see, there is absolutely no truth to the rumours that our submarines cannot manoeuvre underwater, as the submarine in front of us managed to circumvent the challenging South China Sea with no problems," he told reporters when met at the RMN Media Day at the Lumut Naval base here today.The submarine had made its way across the South China Sea in conjunction with the 80th anniversary celebrations of the RMN, where it will be opened to public viewing for the first time.

The ship's commanding officer Commander Zahari Mohamad urged the public not to spread lies about the nation's armed forces capabilities."Affairs involving the safety and protection of the nation should not be debated or politicised. Parties which spread these rumours are irresponsible," said Zahari, who has commanded the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman since August 2011.

He stressed that the submarines are only not operational during their maintenance periods, which involved a thorough and coordinated inspection of each submarine.Abdul Hadi, meanwhile, invited the public to visit the submarine during the RMN Armada Open Day and 1MINDEF carnival held at the RMN naval base here on Saturday and Sunday.

Abdul Hadi said that the open day would allow the public to see the capability of the RMN for themselves.In addition to the submarine, the public will also be able to see a number of RMN ships, including KD Hang Tuah, KD Selangor,KD Kelantan, Tunas Samudera royal yachts, and merchant vessel MV Megabakti, which is used as a submarine support vessel.

Hadi also said that the RMN special forces unit (PASKAL) would be showcasing rescue mission demonstrations for the benefit of the public.

Malaysia Pushes Ahead with Tactical Vehicle Masterplan

AM General HMMWV (photo : Miltech)

Deftech has agreed to a partnership with US vehicle manufacturer AM General to produce light tactical platforms for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and law enforcement organisations, it was confirmed today.

Formally signed at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition on 16 April, the tie-up comprises a co-production, supply and distribution agreement.

The collaboration will see both companies as prime contractor and systems integrator to MAF and law enforcement units for the supply of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and other ‘offerings’ from AM General’s family of light tactical vehicles.

The deal will see the provision of right-hand drive HMMWVs, a feature which AM General recently began to offer to its international customers.  Malaysia currently owns an undisclosed number of HMMWVs in left-hand drive configuration. The vehicles are mounted with automatic grenade launchers or heavy machine guns.


Meanwhile, AM General was exhibiting its latest tactical vehicle- the M1165 (2.0) Deployable Reconnaissance Ground Network-Vehicle- for the first time in Malaysia. Claiming 70 percent commonality with the baseline HMMWV platform, the vehicle is designed to be deployed from cargo helicopters into ‘tight urban and harsh jungle and desert environments’, a company spokesman told Shephard. The vehicle is 2.2m wide, boasts a turning radius of 7.62m and has a top speed of 120kph.

Finally, Deftech confirmed to Shephard that MAF are in the middle of user qualification tests for its 8x8 AV8. Furthermore, MAF have just received the latest sealed pattern variant complete with 30mm weapon system which is expected to commence endurance, mobility and firing tests next month.

Selex to support Malaysian Navy’s Super Lynx MK100 helicopters

Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a contract by AIROD SDN BHD for the supply and support of equipment onboard the Royal Malaysian Navy's Super Lynx MK100 helicopters.The contract was signed by AIROD CEO YBhg colonel Dato' Mohammed Selamat bin Bakin and Selex ES Asia regional director Barry Anstey at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2014 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

Under the three-year agreement, Selex will supply spares and provide support for the MK100's sensors, specifically the Guardian 2500 electronic-support measures, the Seaspray 3600 surveillance radar and the multi-mission turret.Barry Anstey said: "We are committed to deliver the Malaysian Navy our best expertise and are looking forward to further develop our relationship with the industry and the Government in Malaysia."

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Gem 42-1 turboshaft engines, the aircraft is fitted with a non-retractable tricycle-type landing gear and can carry a range of depth charges, including the Mark 11 and torpedoes such as the Mark 44, Mark 46, the A244S and the Stingray.Additional features include 360° scan radar, and either the BAE Systems (now Selex S&AS) Seaspray Mark 3000 or the Telephonics RDR 1500, which are mounted in the chin fairing under the nose.

Malaysia selects Thales SMART-S Mk2 radar and CAPTAS- 2 towed sonar confirmed for LCS program

CAPTAS- 2 towed sonar 

CAPTAS- 2 towed sonar 

Thales SMART-S Mk2 radar

Thales announces that it has signed a Letter of Award with Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn. Bhd. to supply six SMART-S Mk2 naval surveillance radar systems, as well as six CAPTAS-2 towed sonar systems for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Second Generation Patrol Vessel (SGPV) Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The six SMART-S Mk2 radars will be installed on the Malaysian Littoral Combat Ships that are currently being built by Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd in Malaysia. The first SMART-S Mk2 is expected to be delivered within the next few years. Thales in Hengelo (The Netherlands) will build and test the first two radars; the other four systems will be assembled and tested by Contraves in Malaysia, using Thales components and know-how. The Royal Malaysian Navy has also selected the CAPTAS-2 which is part of the CAPTAS1 family of Active Variable Depth Sonar (VDS). CAPTAS-2 is designed to perform against quiet submarines, enabling surface platforms to carry out all Anti-Submarine Warfare missions such as escort, prosecution, area sanitisation and own force protection. The CAPTAS-2 Variable Depth Sonar comprises state-of-the-art innovative technologies that provides a high source level in a compact array. Furthermore, Thales’s unique towed triplet receive array provides instant left/right ambiguity resolution, and is ideally suited for torpedo defence.Thales is the European leader in naval radars and number one internationally for sonars and underwater systems. This new success confirms the position of the Group as a trusted partner to Navies worldwide. Future Royal Malaysian Navy Littoral Combat Ships, based on French Shipyard DCNS' Gowind combat design, will be fitted with the following systems: - BAE Systems Bofors 57mm stealth main gun - SETIS combat management system - Rheinmetall Fire Control Systems (TMX/EO Mk2 and TMEO Mk2)  - MTU engines.  The length of the LCS will be 111 meters with a displacement of about 3,000 tons. According to the general consens and rumors in the industry, the Malaysian "second-generation patrol vessels" will also come with: - Thales Smart-S Mk2 radar - Thales Captas 2 towed array sonar - MSI-Defence 30mm guns - MBDA Mica VL for air defense in VLS cells - MBDA MM40 Exocet BlkIII anti-ship missiles About SMART-S Mk2  This contract raises the number of SMART-S Mk2 radar systems sold to well over 50. With the first system under contract in 2003 and operational in 2006, this radar is the world’s market leader in naval medium to long range 3D surveillance radar About CAPTAS-2 Thanks to substantial investments into the development of the CAPTAS family, CAPTAS-2 has benefitted from the on-going evolution of Thales’s sea proven technologies, ranging from acoustic components to the most state-of-the-art software processing. Within the last 20 years, more than €250M of Research & Development investment has allowed Thales to build an unprecedented expertise in very low frequency active towed sonars. Thales’s leading position in many fields such as wideband free-flooded ring transducers and triplet receive arrays, has enabled the company to develop the best Anti-Submarine Warfare tactical assets with the CAPTAS sonars.  Operational at sea in major navies, the CAPTAS family is de-facto the world’s lowest frequency VDS standard with the largest installed base. It is also the only low frequency VDS servicing NATO countries and in service with multiple navies including the Norwegian Navy, the Royal Saudi Navy, the UK Royal Navy, the French Navy, the Italian Navy, the Royal Moroccan Navy and the UAE Navy. Furthermore, CAPTAS has been selected by the US Navy for an Advanced Demonstration Model (ADM).

Malaysia eyes Air Launched Indo-Russian BrahMos

According to Russian Media, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Anifah Ahman on his visit to Russia last week has shown interest in Air Launched variant of BrahMos missile, Royal Malaysian Air Force already operates 18 Russian Su-30MKM flankers, which were bought under a contract signed in 2003.


Malaysia currently is also looking for a tender for 18 combat aircraft for delivery by 2015. These aircrafts would replace the country’s MiG-29s. Malaysia in past has shown interest in purchase of BrahMos missile system jointly developed by India and Russia.
Russia has assured Malaysia, that new batch of Su-30MKM flankers will come with capability to fire Air launched BrahMos . Indian Su-30MKI are been modified to carry our first firing of Air launched BrahMos missile which most likely will happen early next year.

Su-30MKM flankers are similar to India’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Like its Indian counterpart, the Su-30MKM is a substantial advance upon the original Su-30K export version, India’s HAL had supplied canards, stabilizers and fins for Malaysian flankers, IAF in past deputed Instructors and technicians  in Malaysia to train pilots and Ground crews of Malaysian air force .

Malaysian Army Main Battle Tank PT91M

Malaysia becomes first export customer for Gowind corvettes

DCNS and its local partner Boustead Naval Shipyard have won a US$2.8 billion contract to supply six Gowind patrol vessels to Malaysia, in the type’s first export order. The first corvette will be delivered in 2017, with others following at six-monthly intervals.

In October 2010 Boustead received a letter of intent from the Malaysian government that requested it to build six second-generation patrol vessels. Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) was selected for the contract in early December last year,




However, the contract was put on hold for several days as BNS and DCNS wanted the vessel to carry the SETIS combat management system designed by DCNS, while the Royal Malaysian Navy wants the Tacticos systems, developed by Thales and integrated onto the navy’s KD Kasturi vessel.

DCNS competed with Dutch firm Damen and TKMS of Germany, which is one of the Malaysian navy’s traditional suppliers, having delivered six Meko corvettes between 2004 and 2010.

DCNS has already established a relationship with Boustead through a 2009 joint venture to maintain two diesel-propelled Scorpene submarines used by the Malaysian navy. DCNS previously sold six frigates to Malaysia's neighbour Singapore, five of which were built in Singapore.

The Gowind vessels are 100 metres long and displace 2 400 tons. They can each carry one medium helicopter (Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar) and will be fitted with a 57 mm gun, surface-to-air missiles and torpedo launchers.

The Gowind class is built under a DCNS-funded programme. The first ship, L'Adroit, was made available to the French Navy on October 21 last year as part of DCNS's ambition to win a larger share of the markets for small- and medium-displacement surface ships.

Over the next three years, the French Navy will thoroughly test the vessel, designed for current and emerging maritime safety & security missions, including fisheries surveillance, drug interdiction, environmental protection, humanitarian support and search and rescue at sea.

With two crews rotating every four months, L'Adroit will offer a high level of at-sea availability, spending 220 days a year on operational missions.

L'Adroit has a length of 87 metres, an at-sea endurance of more than 3 weeks and a range of 8 000 nautical miles. With a top speed of 21 knots, the vessel has a helicopter flight deck and can accommodate UAV operations. It is designed for reduced crewing, with a complement of 30 and space for 30 passengers.

Innovations and capabilities of special interest to ship-based naval, commando and coast guard forces include a panoramic bridge offering 360° visibility, a single enclosed mast offering 360° sensor visibility, covert deployment of fast commando boats in less than five minutes and full provision for unmanned aerial and surface vehicles (UAVs and USVs).