Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) update

[Sandhi Yudha]

Finishing these 6 frigates can be more cost effective than aborting this program after 4 vessels and then search for other designs, select one, start negotiations, sign a new contract, set up a production line and begin to construct a whole new design.

It will also take a lot of time, perhaps 5 years to start a new project. The Indonesian government discontinued the SIGMA 10514 program, and now years later, Indonesia has still only two modern frigates.

And how about the foreign and domestic suppliers of components/parts? Maybe BNS has to pay a lot of fines to compensate losses from supplying companies.

 

[koxinga]

Finishing these 6 frigates can be more cost effective than aborting this program after 4 vessels and then search for other designs, select one, start negotiations, sign a new contract, set up a production line and begin to construct a whole new design.

It will also take a lot of time, perhaps 5 years to start a new project. The Indonesian government discontinued the SIGMA 10514 program, and now years later, Indonesia has still only two modern frigates.

And how about the foreign and domestic suppliers of components/parts? Maybe BNS has to pay a lot of fines to compensate losses from supplying companies.

Whether it is cost effective or not is debatable. The problem is no one actually knows what the final bill for the 6 LCS will be or how an abort -> new contract will look like.

The duration it will take for the Indonesia government and my guess, for the Malaysian government are largely internal politics. If any of these countries choose an off-the-shelf design, no local construction deal with Naval Group or HHI, the timelines should be well within the control of the shipyards. But we all know that is not likely to happen.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Malaysian Ministry of Defence and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn. Bhd. (BNSSB) sealed the Additional Sixth Contract Agreement. From which i understand the plan is now that the initial order of 6 frigates is reduced to 5 ships, and the costs for these five ships are increased from RM9,1 billion to RM11,2 billion.

LCS Now Costs RM11.2 Billion, Updated - Malaysian Defence

LANGKAWI: The cost for the five-ship LCS project has been bumped up for around RM2 billion more. The figure was released by Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Sdn Bhd (BHIC) in a Bursa Malaysia announcement today (May 26). The cost for the five ships is now RM11.2 billion compared to RM9.1 [...]

www.malaysiandefence.com

Malaysia Secures the Future of its LCS Project - Naval News

Malaysia's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program will move forward and be finalized following a contract agreement between the MoD and Boustead.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Ananda]

. From which i understand the plan is now that the initial order of 6 frigates is reduced to 5 ships, and the costs for these five ships are increased from RM9,1 billion to RM11,2 billion.

Even if they still on budget target, the project goes from roughly USD 2.1 bio for 6 Light Frigates to USD 2.7 bio for 5 Light Frigates. Thus basically the cost on one LCS Frigates goes from USD 350 mio to USD 500+ Mio.

Questions now clearly there's misshap on Boustead side on costs management, however whether also the cost from 1 LCS Light Frigate's realistic from begining. On the other hand present cost now bit more than much larger Arrowhead 140 or Type 31 and clossing to the costs of FREMM.

Not a good deal for Malaysian MinDef, but even tough this is already new administration, I don't see Malaysian MinDef has any better choices then try to salvage the program as much as possible.

Malaysian Defence Blog talk that they (MinDef) have to finish 5 LCS because Boustead already use real budget money for materials to work for part of 5 LCS Light Frigates. Basically now Malaysian MinDef just try to finish what already being spend on. No other choices, wasting the money that already been spend by Boustead simply can't be acceptable politically. At least they can blame the previous administration on the costs ballooning (which is also correct) anyway.

 

[Ananda]

https://pre-www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2023/09/1154283/perolehan-lms-dibuat-secara-g2g-dengan-syarat-terpilih

Malaysian MinDef decide for G to G scheme will be used for next batch of LMS. Boulsted basically being pass from the program. The 1st LMS being build by Chinese yard but with Boulsted involvement in the deal.

https://pre-www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2023/04/1094421/perjanjian-kontrak-tambahan-lcs-dijangka-dimeterai-semasa-lima23

While basically for LCS Boulsted yard basically being remanage. This seems to make sure more scrutiny being put on Boulsted when LCS program restart soon. This Gowind derivative previously being talk to be given to NG yard for finishing the rest of vessels. However seems they decided to keep the building in Boulsted yard. It will costs more to restart the program in NY yard.

All in all this is clearly shown present Malaysia administration have lost much confidence with Boulsted, and domestic yards.

 

[Systems Adict]

Caught this in the news feeds just before Christmas...

Royal Malaysian Navy Conducts Double Exocet Launch

There is an embedded Youtoob video, which I've posted below...
Youtube video of News / actual firing

Nice to see that some 24 years on since they were first handed over, these ships are still operating.

SA

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Thank you for sharing.
Well these are the two latest and most advanced frigates in Malaysian service, it will be very sad if these two ships were inactive and already rusting away in the harbour.

Besides that we have to wait for many years until the Gowind Class frigates will be taken into service.

But it is good that the TLDM, CG and TUDM have such a large exercise together.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

After a couple of years of delay, Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency took delivery of a new Koninklijke Schelde/Damen Shipyards designed Offshore Patrol Vessel begin this year on 2 January, in a nighttime ceremony at shipbuilder TH Heavy Engineering Berhad’s shipyard at Pulau Indah, Port Klang.

The 83 meters-long OPV has a beam of 13,7 meters, accommodates up to 70 crew members, and is capable of reaching a top speed of 21 knots.

Like many other Malaysian Coastguard vessels, OPV1’s main armament is a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon mounted in Aselsan’s SMASH remote controlled weapons system. Other equipment and facilities include X and S-band radars, a helipad, and the ability to operate unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, it can carry up to two rigid hull inflatable boats and fast interceptor craft.

Malaysia's Coast Guard Receives New Offshore Patrol Vessel - Naval News

Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency took delivery of a new Offshore Patrol Vessel designed by Damen.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Ananda]

Its the Ada Class, Which One? - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: Its now confirmed, the LMS Batch II will be an Ada class corvette. Though which variant is selected and the equipment fit is currently being determined. Defence Minister DS Khaled Nordin in a written reply to a question in Parliament on March 13 stated that the government had [...]

www.malaysiandefence.com

Global Business Press | GBP

gbp.com.sg

From Malaysian Defence Blogspot and GBP defense, talk about Turkiye ADA class Corvette being officially choose as Malaysian Navy LMS (Litoral Mission Ship) Batch 2. As being known LMSA Batch 1 ordered from Chinese Build Large Patrol Boats, which some in opposition and Malaysian Media put it as controversial choices.

Malaysian Defence put speculation on what kind of specs on Malaysian ADA class base LMS 2. Speculation base on Malaysian defense budget and procurement trend. They speculate LMS 2 probability more in line with Ukrainian ADA class. Still it's more likely being order as FFBNW configuration.

 

[Ananda]

DSA 2024: Its Ada class, the Malaysian variant, Updated - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: IT appears that the RMN LMS Batch 2, the Ada class, will be a Malaysian variant after all. The front part of the ship will be like the Turkish, Pakistani and Ukrainian variants. The rear of the ship will be like the Pakistani and Ukrainian variants apart that [...]

www.malaysiandefence.com

Malaysian Defense Blogspot put more information on RMN LMS Batch 2, which's more likely it is going to be different variance then other Ada's in Ukrainian, Pakistan or Turkiye service ones. Seems the missiles system will be ROK Origin.

The guns will be Turkiye ones, but the electronics going to be Euro ones base on Thales solutions. Either way the Ada class derivative will be much more capable LMS design compare to the Chinese build LMS Batch 1.

15-to-5 Transformation: LMS Batch 1 does not meet the requirements of RMN - MY Military Times

How big is Malaysia military? Is Malaysia military strong? Everything you want to know is right here!

mymilitarytimes.com

Something not surprisingly the design in the end consider not meet RMN requirements. Which drive RMN need some adjustments to their plan to only have 5 type of combatants. 15 to 5 initiative that plan to much standardized RMN combatants types, at least in LMS has to revamp to make another more appropriate design being use for LMS.

 

[Ananda]

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Agreement between Indonesian Shipyard PT. PAL and Malaysian Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) for MoU in collaboration and design of Warship. This seems related to Makasar Class derivative LPD for RMN Multirole Ship (MRSS) program.



LUNAS it self use to be Boulstead Shipyard, which being rename after changing ownership of the Shipyard by Malaysian Government sponsor take over. LUNAS at this moment also still under order to finish Litoral Ship base on French Gowind, which the problematic progress lead to changing ownership.

Below from Malaysian media sources:

[Air Times News Network] LUNAS meterai kerjasama strategik dengan PT PAL

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 MEI – Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) telah meterai memorandum persefahaman kerjasama (MoU) strategik dengan syarikat Indonesia, PT PAL. “Kerjasama strategik ini bermatlamat untuk mene…

www.airtimes.my

Lunas, PT PAL meterai MoU dalam bidang pembinaan kapal | DagangNews

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Mei - Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) dan PT PAL Indonesia (PT PAL) telah meterai memorandum persefahaman (MoU) bagi menjalin kerjasama strategik dalam bidang pembinaan kapal.

www.dagangnews.com

 

[koxinga]

MOUs means nothing when it comes to Malaysia procurement, just good defense show publicity. LUNAS (Boustead Naval) itself has to proof its ability to deliver on the reduced Gowinds project after the government (LTAT) buy-out.

 

[Ananda]

Ceremonial and political lobbying basically ingrained with both Indonesian and Malaysian SOE cultures (eventough in Malaysia it is more appropriate call them quasi SOE, as Malaysian Government not directly put ownership on them, however through Government control investment arms). It is part for their lobbying campaign.

So this MoU is important for them to shown media that they're tied in together to work on getting that MRSS deal. It is in my opinion part of PR campaign, which is again big deal when you are working in both countries SOE projects.

 

[Ananda]

Xavier in DSA Kuala Lumpur discussing with STM (Turkish Naval design company), on ADA/Milgem class corvette. This is what seems from various reports, going to be the definitive LMS Batch 2 Corvette for RMN/TLDM.

 

[koxinga]

Ceremonial and political lobbying basically ingrained with both Indonesian and Malaysian SOE cultures (eventough in Malaysia it is more appropriate call them quasi SOE, as Malaysian Government not directly put ownership on them, however through Government control investment arms). It is part for their lobbying campaign.

So this MoU is important for them to shown media that they're tied in together to work on getting that MRSS deal. It is in my opinion part of PR campaign, which is again big deal when you are working in both countries SOE projects.

They signed the same thing (MoU) during Indo Defense 2016. Hence, the wayang element is strong. At the end of the day, it depends if the government of the day funds this program, which has been repeatedly deferred in multiple RMKs.

MY MOF also now has to fund the 3 x LMS so I am not sure, and together with the LCS fiasco, where they can find any money. MY's naval procurement are similarly political.

The current "wind" is Turkish. Previously, they got stuff with Chinese LMS and earlier, MY MOF decided they should buy Gowind when TLDM preferred SIGMA. I also skeptical because they have always wayang about getting stuff (e.g Anoas) from Indonesia but were never keen to start with. Maybe some unspoken political rivarly.

PT PAL Likely To Build Mutirole Ship With Boustead For Malaysian Navy

PT PAL Likely To Build Mutirole Ship With Boustead For Malaysian Navy

www.defensemirror.com

 

[Ananda]

Xavier in DSA 2024 in KL, talk with NG representative on LCS/GOWIND class Corvette/Light Frigate progress. Asside that's been talk by media before that Lumut Shipyard (LUNAS) revise contract with them, open new chapter of LCS program continuation. However the contract seems also give NG more role in production and design authorities.

Last past of video talk with NG Malaysia (NG local subsidiary) team on Malaysian CMS that's being developed to potentially replace most CMS currently in existing fleet.

 

[koxinga]

Last past of video talk with NG Malaysia (NG local subsidiary) team on Malaysian CMS that's being developed to potentially replace most CMS currently in existing fleet.

Many Malaysian companies trying to win this CMS

Last part about the video made it clear that the CMS software is a variant of SENIT licensed from NG with the hardware consoles locally built.

During LIMA 2019, you have another local joint venture pushing their Vibrant 1 CMS with the same concept, this time with the software coming from India and having the same ambitions to replace all the CMS in service

Marine Crest Technology Indigenous CMS for Malaysian Lekiu-class Frigates - Naval News

Marine Crest Technology, a strategic technology partner to Malaysia’s T7 Global (a group specialized in Oil & Gas), was showcasing for the first time the “Vibrant 01” Combat Management System (CMS) at LIMA 2019. LIMA 2019 was the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition held last...

www.navalnews.com

And then you have System Consultancy Sdn Bhd with their Advanced Malaysian Owned Combat Management System (AMOCS) CMS which claims to be the first truly local CMS.

 

[Ananda]

Many Malaysian companies trying to win this CMS

If NG Malaysia got this CMS deal, then either RMN want to have more mature CMS software as base or this is part to entice NG to invest more. Not first time a JV got preference then so call 'true' local company. Question will be which JV got the preferences.

Anyway Marhalim in his blog put info that first LCS Maharaja Lela already got it's real multiple sensors mast attach. Indicating LUNAS going to really launch it soon.

Mast on the Maharaja Lela - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: It appears that the Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) has installed parts of the ship sensor module – likely the radome which contained the main radar sensor – on the Maharaja Lela, the first LCS. This is a break from the method adopted by Naval Group for the Gowinds, [...]

www.malaysiandefence.com

After 7 years of Drama it's time. LUNAS really need this to shown they can do better job then previous Boulstead management.

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Their FB also shown visit of PAL delegation to continue co-op technical level, after MoU sign. Whether this also means there'll progress on MRSS have to be seen. LUNAS need to sort out LCS project first before can move to new ones. Still as both shipyard are basically SOE ones, they can be another facet of political co-op playing here.

 

[Ananda]

Xavier put video on more detail assesment for RMN LMS2 base on Turkiye ADA Class Corvette. Basically it will be Turkiye SSM, Turkiye Sensors but with ROK Sam. 4 cells but with quad pack missiles. Interesting choice, but for sure much more advance then Chinese build LMS1.

 

[Ananda]

About couple days ago there're talk and some photos circulate online that Malaysian Navy first LCS, Maharaja Lela already left the yard and enter the water. Now Naval News put video on the launch.

After 7 years, Maharaja Lela saga hopefully come to conclusion. Eventough it takes changing management and ownership of the yard from Boulstead to present LUNAS, and also practically Naval Group taking over the operation on LCS manufacturing as prime 'vendor'. Reducing the number of LCS from 6 to 5 also reported make the operations of LCS project becoming more financially manageable.

Video also shown the 2nd LCS already in the background. Hopefully NG involvement also speed up process from 2nd LCS.