Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) update

[swerve]

VL Mica is only singular in Sylver ...

It's the fins.

There's not much point fitting VL Mica in Sylver. You can put the same number of Aster 15 in Sylver A43 & bigger & get much greater performance. And VL Mica comes in a container that doubles as a VLS, so you can fit it to ships without needing an additional VLS.

 

[STURM]

Thanks Rob. I always thought that too, as the missile fit (ESSM, ASTER, MICA ) has not been finalized to date.

It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that MICA and Exocet will be selected. About a year ago a local daily reported that NSM was the RMNs favourite. Although it was not mentioned, one factor behind the RMNs preference for NSM is that MBDA reportedly charges an arm and leg for maintenance/support services and that NSM was seen as a cheaper solution.

Contracts that have been signed for the Littoral Combat Ship include :

1. 6 Bofors Mk3 57mm guns with 3P ammo.
2. Integrated navigation and tactical systems and a chart precise integrated system from OSI Maritime Systems.
3. 6 SMART-S radars from Thales.
4. ”Advanced Degaussing Systems” from Polyamp AB.
5. A ''torpedo launching system'' - no details provided as to which company is supplying this or what torp will be used.
6. 6 CAPTAS towed arrays from Thales.
7. 6 SETIS CMS from Thales.
8. 12 TMX/EO Mk2 fire directors and 6 TMEO Mk2 electro-optical systems from Contraves Rheinmetall.
9. 12 DS30M Mark 2 30mm guns from MSI Defence Systems.
10. A/C and ventilation system from Cofely Axima.

The RMN has also announced that the hangar will be enlarged to accommodate the RMAFs Cougars.

 

[sixsigma]

There's not much point fitting VL Mica in Sylver. You can put the same number of Aster 15 in Sylver A43 & bigger & get much greater performance. And VL Mica comes in a container that doubles as a VLS[/URL], so you can fit it to ships without needing an additional VLS.[/quote]

Yes, you are right.I think the VLS on the ship is currently redundant with a MICA fit but I think its being done for future upgrades of missile fit.Heck, depending on the VLS, RMN could buy any number of different and more robust missiles on the quiet ....if they are not already doing so.

 

[sixsigma]

It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that MICA and Exocet will be selected. About a year ago a local daily reported that NSM was the RMNs favourite. Although it was not mentioned, one factor behind the RMNs preference for NSM is that MBDA reportedly charges an arm and leg for maintenance/support services and that NSM was seen as a cheaper solution.

Contracts that have been signed for the Littoral Combat Ship include :

1. 6 Bofors Mk3 57mm guns with 3P ammo.
2. Integrated navigation and tactical systems and a chart precise integrated system from OSI Maritime Systems.
3. 6 SMART-S radars from Thales.
4. ”Advanced Degaussing Systems” from Polyamp AB.
5. A ''torpedo launching system'' - no details provided as to which company is supplying this or what torp will be used.
6. 6 CAPTAS towed arrays from Thales.
7. 6 SETIS CMS from Thales.
8. 12 TMX/EO Mk2 fire directors and 6 TMEO Mk2 electro-optical systems from Contraves Rheinmetall.
9. 12 DS30M Mark 2 30mm guns from MSI Defence Systems.
10. A/C and ventilation system from Cofely Axima.

The RMN has also announced that the hangar will be enlarged to accommodate the RMAFs Cougars.

Any ideas on the elevated VLS "deck" and which SYLVER VLS is being employed ? Is there any particular reason the MICA was chosen as there is no marked difference in price between the MICA and the Aster 15 ?

Also whats your take on the enlargement of of the helicopter deck and hangers to accommodate the RMAF Cougars as i feel the Cougars are an overkill for a ship this size unless of course the decision is solely based on the fact that the Cougars thus far are optimized for combat SAR.

The RMN Gowinds seems to come with the same weapons fit as the Indonesian Sigma except the Sigma also has the millennium gun installed.

 

[STURM]

Any ideas on the elevated VLS "deck" and which SYLVER VLS is being employed ? Is there any particular reason the MICA was chosen as there is no marked difference in price between the MICA and the Aster 15 ?

No idea about the VLS or the elevated deck. I don't have any figures but I'm pretty sure that ASTER-15 costs more than MICA; it's a longer range missile and, a few years back it was reported that the RMN's preferred choice for the Lekiu Batch 2s [later cancelled] was ASTER-15 but due to its cost, the RMN had settled on ESSM.

Also whats your take on the enlargement of of the helicopter deck and hangers to accommodate the RMAF Cougars as i feel the Cougars are an overkill for a ship this size unless of course the decision is solely based on the fact that the Cougars thus far are optimized for combat SAR.

The reason behind it is the possibility that during ops or joint exercises, that RMAF Cougars may be deployed on the LCS and possibly even for SAR, as you indicated. There is a requirement for ASW configured helos to supplement the Super Lynx fleet, which is armed with torps but is not fitted with any ASW gear. Eurocopter off course is happy that the hangars are being enlarged as it is reported to be interested in offering the RMN an ASW configured variant of the Cougar.

Other RMN news -

* The RMN has announced that a 2nd Scorpene simulator will soon be operational at Teluk Sepanggar and that Chile and India have expressed an interest in sending people there for training.

* 2 training ships - armed with an MSI 30mm gun and fitted with a landing deck - which were built in South Korea but were assembled and fitted out in Malaysia are to be comissioned early next year. Although these ships will be used to train midshipmen and cadets, they will also be used for routine day to day patrolling.

* An ATC radar has been installed at the KD Rajawali air station at Lumut.

* A few months ago the Royal Oman Navy sent a team to Lumut to train on the damage control facility.

 

[sixsigma]

Thanks Sturm.

The training ships ,Gagah Samudera have a great design but lacks speed at 20 knots. But then it was primarily built for training. I understand that the Navy wishes to procure 2 more of these vessels to start to re-capitalize the FAC fleet but hope speed will be increased and that it comes with RMN standard fit of 57mm guns, SAM,SSM and torpedoes.

With the RMN having the rights to the Gowinds, MEKO 100 and the Gagah Samudera plans and designs,it seems that all the needs of the Navy can be met in country barring outfitting and integration of the weapons and sensors. This also holds true for the smaller patrol boats as they are now all built in country including the CB90.

What about the plans to arm the Kedah Class with SSM's ? Also is the Navy looking to get some used ships to overcome the acute shortage of hulls.. the Perry were touted but what about the Bremen class?

 

[RobWilliams]

Any ideas on the elevated VLS "deck" and which SYLVER VLS is being employed ? Is there any particular reason the MICA was chosen as there is no marked difference in price between the MICA and the Aster 15 ?

A slightly elevated VLS structure jutting out from the deck could be an attempt to be able to make the silos fit where they normally wouldn't.

http://www.dcnsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/6141.pdf

 

[STURM]

This also holds true for the smaller patrol boats as they are now all built in country including the CB90.

Most of the CB-90s are based in East Malaysia and all were built in Sweden. Apart from being unable to put to sea when its over Sea State 3, a problem when operating in East Malaysian waters is that pieces of wood and garbage tend to get stuck in the water jets.

What about the plans to arm the Kedah Class with SSM's ? Also is the Navy looking to get some used ships to overcome the acute shortage of hulls.. the Perry were touted but what about the Bremen class?

A requirement has been registered with MINDEF to arm the Kedahs; waiting for funding.

The announcement that there was interest in acquring on hot transfer an ex-USN Perry - a 35 year old hull - is an indication of how overstretch the RMN is, especially after 17 Vosper built PCs were handed over to the MMEA.

 

[STURM]

Apologies, double post. Please delete, thank you.

 

[Volkodav]

The announcement that there was interest in acquring on hot transfer an ex-USN Perry - a 35 year old hull - is an indication of how overstretch the RMN is, especially after 17 Vosper built PCs were handed over to the MMEA.

Why not talk to Australia about the remaining upgraded FFGs, they will be surplus once the AWDs come on line in the not too distant future.

 

[STURM]

The problem is that the RMN has an immediate requirement for additional hulls; the Perry which is on offer is scheduled to be decommissioned early next year and can be hot transfered. IMO the deal is unlikely to go through as the RMN has reservations about operating a gas turbine powered vessel and is worried about how much it will have to spend on the Perry.

Taken from a Malaysian defence site -

''it appears that the Chief has lost some enthusiasm to take over the Oliver Hazard Perry frigates to be decommissioned by the US Navy this year. Last year at the same interview, he was more enthusiastic about it. This time around, although a team had been set-up to oversee the project, Abdul Aziz also said that another team was tasked to oversee the main engines of the frigates. He noted that RMN had not had recent experience with gas turbines and this was something they had to consider before finalising the deal.''

.

 

[STURM]

An interesting video of the First Sea Lord's recent visit to Lumut - [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkZP3DaoTuI"]RN First Sea Lord Visit to Lumut Naval Base - YouTube[/nomedia] [courtesy of Marhalim Abbas]

HMS Daring was recently at Port Klang and conducted a PASSEX with KD Kasturi in the Melaka Straits; she left for Cochin with 6 RMN men onboard as part of an exchange.

A short article by a USN man who crossdecked onto an RMN ship.

http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/cg53/Pages/HoursSpentomMalaysian.aspx

 

[STURM]

Some pics taken at an exercise held last week in the South China Sea. There was also a launch of a Sea SKua from a Super Lynx.

 

[Systems Adict]

Nice picture of Leiku firing her Seawolf. Spent many happy hours during build, installing equipment on her & many days at sea, maintaining, testing & operating the radars.

Nice to see that 15 years on, she's still working well !

 

[Volkodav]

Nice picture of Leiku firing her Seawolf. Spent many happy hours during build, installing equipment on her & many days at sea, maintaining, testing & operating the radars.

Nice to see that 15 years on, she's still working well !

The Leikus are nice looking ships that, to my eye, fit the original ANZAC frigate concept better than the selected MEKO 200 design.

 

[STURM]

Spent many happy hours during build, installing equipment on her & many days at sea, maintaining, testing & operating the radars.

Do you have any interesting stories to share about your time working on the Lekius :]

The main problem [as reported in the press] were integration issues with NAUTIS - was wondering if there were any other problems. Not sure if it's true or not but I heard that during trials in the North Sea the hatch of the Bofors Mk2 was left opened and the gun required intensive maintenance after being drenched in seawater. I'm also curious if there was any RN participation in the trials?

In the pic showing Seawolf being launched is there any particular reason why the steel on the superstructure and the hull appears to be ''wavy'' [if that's the right word to use]?

The pic on the left is Jebat at Sydney for the International Fleet Review and the right both ships are seen alongside the George Washington.

 

[Ananda]

https://www.navyrecognition.com/ind...irst-lcs-gowind-frigate-kd-maharaja-lela.html

From Navy Recognition sites. The Launching of the First Malaysian Navy LCS Frigate. Based on technical data sheet, it will be using VL MICA on Sylver VLS.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/ind...eet-pictures-photos-video-specifications.html

@Sturm, is VL Mica will also be fitted later on to Jebat class ? Replacing sea wolf?

 

[STURM]

The RMN has not made any mention of what will eventually replace Seawolf but MICA is the most likely contender.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Royal Malaysian Navy Launched its First LCS Gowind Frigate KD Maharaja Lela

From Navy Recognition sites. The Launching of the First Malaysian Navy LCS Frigate. Based on technical data sheet, it will be using VL MICA on Sylver VLS.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/ind...eet-pictures-photos-video-specifications.html

@Sturm, is VL Mica will also be fitted later on to Jebat class ? Replacing sea wolf?

During the acquisition of the three Nakhoda Ragam class corvettes, the Indonesians also planned to replace the Sea Wolf system with the VL MICA. I just wonder if there are any adjustments required for such a change.
"Capable of detecting every form of airborne threat, Type 996/AWS-9 provides surveillance, target identification, and long-range aircraft detection and control, together with point and area defense. Additionally, the unit provides automatic target indication for Seawolf and Sea Dart missile systems for surface ships of frigate and larger sizes."
And although the Malaysian frigates have a combination of Ericsson Sea Giraffe, Hollandse Signaal DA-08, GEC-Marconi 1802SW and BAe Systems Insyte Nautis F combat data system, its for me unclear how complicated such an operation will become.

For their two Lekiu-class frigates mid-life modernization and service life extension, the Royal Malaysian Navy has selected theTerma SCANTER 6000 radaras a combined navigation and helicopter control radar and some other upgrades, but i cant find anything about replacements of weaponsystems.

 

[STURM]

Whatever is selected to replace Seawolf will have to been integrated with the ship's radar, tracker and CMS.