Navantia, Navantia

The last edition of Tempur suggested that Navantia is goin to offer its SPS Galacia design for the Malaysian Multi Purpose Command and Support Ship (MPCSS). The ship can accommodate up to 6 helicopters, 650 armed marines, 4 Landing Cushion Crafts, and equipped with 2 operating theaters and an 8 bedded icu ward. The articel also suggested that Malaysian Support squadron may need up to three new ships to complement the over-assigned KD Mahawangsa and the KD Inderasakti.'Built for war but assigned for mercy'. That catches my eye. the recent tsunami event in the indonesia prove that Galacia is worth having. Not like the Mahawangsa, other MPCSS from other country are quickly despatched to the aid of the tsunami victim. If only we had such ship earlier, it would be a plus to our image and also the OIC and NAM. The Mahawangsa only can support two medium class heli. Even dispatched, it will easily be overshadowed by Galacia or USS Abraham Lincoln for that matter. Monetary probs? maybe we need to boost up our local industry instead to make it cheaper for us to acquire new ships. and maybe acquiring new armada.

Eagle ARV is enough?

Aren't we ever going to acquire anymore of the spyplanes? Other types maybe? obviously the eagles are not enough. in case a war break out, the eagle won't do much in helping us safeguarding our borders. Besides having a significant radar observability, the plane is also slow and small in number. it also has the inability to bring along weapons. The cameras and pheripherals are not even impressing me. It has to fly low to get the needed data/picture. Low enought that it can be shot down by an M-16. With no testability in the battlefield, the plane is minimally satisfying our need for an airborne reconnaissance platform.


The Predator of the USA has been operational since 1995, is currently the most advanced UAV. Malaysia's Eagle ARV has a long way to go to catch up with the Predator.

The Malaysian Joint Forces

Are we capable yet to mobilise a joint armada? or a joint forces for that reason? The capability of such means that we are having the the technology for electronic intelligence and multi-tiered communications. The weapon platforms co-ordinate with one another to achieve a level of efficient use of weapons, no overkill. Back to the question : are capable yet? we still have holes in our radar sweep area. We still are at the possibility of attacking our own units. So, obviously we need to enhance our communication technology, militariwise, that is. The ability to guarantee a secure communication allows us to co-ordinate our troops. Without the interference from foreign electronic intelligence tapping into the Field Marshall's phone line :)

Where are the gunships?

Rooivalks anybody? We definitely in need for gunships to complement the upcoming new tanks squadron. The PT-91 is undoubtly not the most sophisticated tank in the world. Against the likes of Le Clerc, Challenger 2 and M2A2 Abrams, PT-91 is an underdog. But with the help of gunship, we can multiply its effectiveness. Even the Germany's Tiger got Tiger gunship. Abrams got Apache and later Commanche. Maybe PT-91 need Rooivalk. Considering Singapore already acquired its 20th Longbow Apache, an equal in the form of Roivaalk is a deterrent factor. The Agustas are clearly no match against the Apache's gunnery. In modern warfare, no asset stand on their own. They need to be packaged. Carriers need destroyers, cruisers and subs. Fighter jets need AWACS and anti-radiation protection. Main Battle Tanks need gunship helicopters.


Denel Aviation of South Africa has long been courting Malaysia with its Rooivalk gunship helicopters.


Malaysian Army's PT-91M Tanks are at need of the Rooivalks

Malaysian Defence Industry

Malaysia defence industry lacks two main things : technology and research. Without the technology, the products are not attracting contracts overboard. The incapability of producing even medium ranged/size guns makes malaysia left behind its south neighbour. Althought not that sophisticated, Singapore does have an outstanding indusrty growing compared to us. We should spend more on research, for, qouting the famous figure in history, wars are fought with technologies attained during the recent years of peace. If we don't see any threat of war in, let say, twenty years, we should minimize all the funds for that twenty years. Instead, we should invest it in research so that after twenty years, we'll be having technology that is fresh, and also unique to us. Now, isn't that a brilliant idea?


It is rumoured that the second batch of the Lekiu class frigates will be based on the Type 45 Destroyer design, and will be built at Labuan Shipyard.

Fast Attack Crafts

I just bought the new Perajurit, the June issue. One of the focused topic is the FACs. Well prepared, the assymmetrical warfare platform was rightly represented. The FACs can level up the battlefield against the larger power-projection vessels. It can easily sunk a destroyer, or even a carrier. With such limited budget, Malaysia should own a maintained fleet of FACs, be it corvettes or smaller platforms. This is because they cost less and can easily be maintained. It can also deal with high intensity threat. Of course more powerful vessel should be there to power-project. One frigate may cost the same with 3-4 FACs. Instead of buying two frigates, we can attain 8 FACs. With such fleet, any navy will think thrice before striking any Malaysian target.


The 650 tonne Laksamana class KD Hang Nadim, although rank as a corvette, is the most advanced FAC in the Royal Malaysian Navy

Batch 2 : The Malaysian Frigates Dilemma

As suggested in the recent Perajurit magazine, the batch 2 frigates should be a used battleship. The argument brought were they're cheaper, already integrated, proven, and can be delivered in fraction of the time than building new warship. Well, I agree. Furthermore, with such limited funds, we can get more ships with the same amount of money to buy new warships. The move was like when we bought the Italian corvettes. The four assets were originally for the Iraqis. But we saved time when the RMN decided that we should take them instead.


Kedah Class Meko A-100 : We could also upgrade the NGPV fleet


... or we could buy some more of the  F2000 Frigates from Yarrow Shipbuilders, like the Jebat.