A Trip to Pangkor

After quite some time, I finally got to visit Pangkor. And what is the meaning of visiting Pangkor without visiting or in my case, passing by the Royal Malaysian Navy's Lumut Base?

On the way to Pangkor, and on the way back to the mainland, I snapped as many pictured as I could. I even recorded a video of KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah leaving base with all hands on the deck.


The mighty KD Lekiu. Although KD Jebat, the same class, has a penant number of 29, the class name is officially Lekiu Class.


KD Perak, the New Generation Patrol Vessel. Obviously the armaments are not fully installed yet.


KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah, leaving base with all hands on deck. The original picture is so clear that I can read the ship's name on the deck plate.


KD Rahmat, a retired ship. This ought-to-be-frigate corvette has been decommissioned for quite some time now. But it is still there anchored near Lumut Base.


My first picture with KD Indera Sakti.

Future Developments for MAF?

LIMA 2007 hints on new MPCSS for Royal Malaysian Navy

Recent reports in the Star suggested that the government is seriously planning on acquiring new Multi-Purpose Command and Support Ship for the RMN. The first hint came directly from the Armed Forces Chief, and later was re-affirm by the Minister of Defence which is also the Deputy Prime Minister. Of course, if the Armed Forces Chief has said it out loud,
it must be that the matter has been agreed upon by the government.

Najib also had suggested that the RMN might get two of the them. Ironically, two is the minimum number that we need. Practically, considering geographical nature of Malaysia, we should get four ships. Two ships to serve the two separated region, while the other two get rested or refitted. So, with four ships, we can maintained a presence of at least two MPCSS ships to cater the need of the fleet.

Now, what are the choices that would be the best for us? Obviuosly the Government will look somewhere in South Korea for the new ships. Not only because they can complete the ships in record time, but also the quality factor they bring in. But, if we want to look on ship builders that is combat-proven, I would suggest we seek the British. Their newly assigned RFA Fort Victoria ships are one of the most sophisticated around. Enough said, here are the pictures :


RFA Fort George A388, one of the 21 ships christened RFA Fort Victoria class


RFA Fort Victoria class ships combines the function of a fleet support tanker and a store support ship.


With an overall length of 204 metres, the ship has two large spot flight deck


Other than its superior onboard systems and advanced functions, the class also can house five Sea King or Merlin helicopters, and supports emergency Harrier landing.

Besides the Fort Victoria class, the RMN might also had fix an eye on the ever famous Rotterdam class from the Netherlands. Newer to that of the Fort Victoria class, the Rotterdam is not only a replenishment ship, it can also act as an amphibious assult platform.
Shorter in length than the Fort Victoria, the Rotterdam has a length of 162.2 metres, and can carry up to 33 MBTs or 170 APCs. And because it is also designed for amphibious assault, the ship is well armed.


HrMS Rotterdam L800, the class flagship. Spain has also acquired two of the class, the Galicia and the Castilia.


Because it has a limited function as a tanker/supplier, the Rotterdam, although shorter in length than the Fort Victoria, can accommodate up to six medium-sized helicopter such as the NH 90.

So, Malaysia, what is your choice? If none of this ship interest the RMN, than they can always ask the Chinese. They also got an interesting semi-stealth ship to be offered.

Is A400M a waste?

In the last LIMA 2005, the Malaysian Armed Forces had signed the MoU to purchase the A400M, a large transporter aircraft. We bought 4 of it at the cost of more than RM 2 Billion. It has the capability unsurpass by that of a Super Hercules C130 that we currently operate. Originally, the aircraft is developed to satisfy the need of NATO allies in Europe. But somehow the MAF is keen to have some of them. Of course, it can land on a short runway. That would be an advantage if we are a desert or tundra climated country. But in Malaysia, we have forest all the way, and virtually no large space to accommodate the A400M.

The only alternative - airports. Landing in airports can cause certain disadvantage in wartime. It might get destructed or simply taken over by the opposing force. Maybe they are thinking of it as an ideal tank carrier or aerial tanker. But it's just too big and can get shot easily. Because the observability will be increased for a large aircraft. And after that, what? we'll just going to see it goes down with one or two tanks inside its large cargo bay? Even as an aerial tanker, it would be clever to have our jet fighters to refuel outside combat zone.

But if we're seeing no immediate war in the future, maybe the A 400M will suit us. Besides, we always be the first to arrive to lend help to countries that are disaster-strucked. Like Indonesia. And furthermore, if we are really going to develop a squadron of air tanker or transporter, 4 just isn't enough. Even with just 48 PT-91 tanks, its going to take us 12 rounds of flight just to deploy all of them. Efficient? Most probably not.


Aerial tanker capability that gets Najib excited


Short soft landing and take-off in open area; will be available in Malaysia after a Nuclear Strike

It's Official

Finally, the names of the two Malaysian's Scorpene submarine has been made public a few weeks ago. Going to be christened the Perdana Menteri class (The Prime Minister Class) the two subs will be known as KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak. The subs were named after the late first two Prime Ministers of Malaysia. But no news about the name of the third submarine, given free of charge by the French Navy as a training platform. The former Ouessant, an Agosta 90B class,  a refitted French submarine, is about a high threat to any ship as the Scorpenes. Both submarines are capable of launching the Exocett SM39 underwater-to-surface missiles.

The names made me think of two things. Firstly, okay, they are powerful or maybe power-projection platforms that they decided its worth of Prime Minister Class and therefore got Prime Minister names. But this also made me think that the Royal Malaysian Navy is not planning to acquire new subs for a long time. Simply because, there are only four ex-Prime Ministers of Malaysia! I remember how an ex-Admiral of the RMN said that we need at least 10 submarines to patrol the Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone!

Maybe we are not that rich to continues acquiring submarines all the time. If this is the case, then the Scorpenes are the best platforms to multiply  a submarine's capability. They are simply the newest and the most technologically-advanced diesel-electric submarine in the world. I can't wait for 2009 when both of the subs will be coming to Malaysian waters. Viva Malaysia!


The Prime Minister class SSK Scorpene Attack Submarine


The Ouessant, an Agosta 90B class, can dive deeper than its predecessor, the Agosta class.