Malaysian CDF drafting report to get new equipment

[wzhtg]

Malaysian CDF drafting report to get new equipment
September 18 2004 at 9:19 AM
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Military seeks early-warning aircraft and support ship

Malaysian armed forces chief says such assets are needed to protect the Malacca Strait and to meet new security threats

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Armed Forces wants to buy early-warning aircraft and a multi-role support ship to be used as a floating command centre.

Armed forces chief Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin said these military assets were required to safeguard the busy Strait of Malacca, patrol border areas and tackle complex security threats such as terrorism.
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'I hope the government will approve the procurement of these assets,' he said in several media interviews to mark the 71st anniversary of the armed forces earlier this week.

The aircraft he wants are equipped with an early-warning defence system and detection capabilities which are faster and more accurate than ground radar. The support ship, besides being a command centre, can also function as an aircraft carrier.

In the interviews, Gen Mohd Zahidi also stressed the importance of transparency and openness in the military.

Referring to criticism that was voiced when he assumed his duties five years ago, he said: 'I know a lot of people were saying 'how can there be transparency and openness when the armed forces chief's post is always reserved for the army?' I think I have proved these people wrong.

'At that time, I think the reason why the post of armed forces chief always fell to an army man was because the army chief was a full general, while the chiefs of the other services were three-star lieutenant-generals.'

He added: 'Since I took over, the government has decided to make the air force and navy chiefs four-star generals. So now, any of the chiefs from the three services can become the armed forces chief.

'This is one of the things I meant when I said there should be transparency and openness. My successor when I eventually retire will be picked by the government based on merit.'

Under his leadership, the armed forces has been modernised with purchases of high-tech submarines, fighter jets, helicopters and battle tanks.

The recent launch of a joint command for the army, navy and air force to carry out joint operations to safeguard national security was another feather in his cap.

The general, whose job contract has been extended to next year, said he would now focus on air and naval defence. -- Utusan Malaysia,New Straits Times

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The support ship, besides being a command centre, can also function as an aircraft carrier.

[wzhtg]

Just to clear up any misunderstanding about the part about the carrier, that wasn't what the guy said.His speech during the press conference, : to be able to accommodate (carry) a/c ? being laterally translated into “a ship that able to carry a/c,?nbsp; i.e thus “a/c carrier" jargon being introduced by the reporter

[adsH]

do you think they are going for the erricson eyriee too. for the AEW&C, i think Malaysia Pakistan and Saudi want to go for the Same system i read that somewhere along time ago!!! apparently its to make the interoperability of Crews and operators much more easier and they might share maintenance facilities too.

[wzhtg]

That's what i heard too! Hope it happens soon, Malaysia really needs to spend more on defence but we are trying to reduce the budget defecit at the moment so i am not sure wherther the armed forces will get the funds needed to modernise. Also, france has offered the Malaysia the Mistral class LDP.

[Paxter]

Malaysia would never want an aircraft carrier esp! to patrol the malacca straits which is damn shallow... unless it is for the south china sea but then again its kinda pointless... it will be like thailands carrier its more of a white elephant then a real threat to malaysia or its neighbours

[Pendekar]

Actually, thailand was in good position to enhanced its naval power projection until the economic crisis that sweep the asia.

[gf0012-aust]

Originally Posted by Pendekar

Actually, thailand was in good position to enhanced its naval power projection until the economic crisis that sweep the asia.

Not now though, that vessel would be lucky to see more than 2 days a week at sea.

It's basically inoperable.

[Pendekar]

They should just sold it to any interested parties. save them lots of money.

[ajay_ijn]

The aircraft he wants are equipped with an early-warning defence system and detection capabilities which are faster and more accurate than ground radar. The support ship, besides being a command centre, can also function as an aircraft carrier.

May the ship he is talking about is command ship like in US navy which can also take helicopters for patrolling.

I don't think malayasia had defence budget to maintain an Aircraft carrier i mean Attack aircraft carrier.