02 Desember 2011

The newly-built HTMSKrabi in dry dock at the Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard in Chon Buri province. The vessel is to be launched today to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday on Monday. (photo : Bangkok Post)

SATTAHIP : Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will today preside over the launching ceremony of the HTMS Krabi, a new patrol vessel built by the Thai navy.

HTMS Krabi was built by the navy at a cost of 1.7 billion baht. It is intended to commemorate His Majesty the King's 84th birthday on Monday.

However, the ship will not be ready to be commissioned until late next year.

The ship is also part of the navy's strategic personnel development, said Vice Adm Manit Soonnadam, chief of the Royal Thai Naval Dockyard.

HTMS Krabi is a vessel with an almost 2 tonne displacement.

It is the fist time the navy has built a ship this size.

It has been constructed according to the suggestion of His Majesty the King, who named the ship. It is expected to be operational for 40 years.

HTMS Krabi is 90.5m long and 13.5m wide.

The height of the gunwale is 7.7m.

The displacement tonnage is 1.97 tonnes and the vessel has a maximum speed of 23 knots.

The space of its deck is enough to park a Super Lynx helicopter. The ship has 89 crewmen.

VAdm Manit said HTMS Krabi will be assigned to the task of carrying out marine intelligence missions, protecting fishing boats and national marine resources, assisting people facing difficulties in the sea, as well as enforcing marine laws.

The 1.7 billion budget for the contruction of HTMS Krabi comes from a tied-over budget between 2008 and 2011, he said.

(Bangkok Post)

10 November 2011

Khukri class, the 1350 ton corvettes of Indian Navy (photo : Mazumdar)

Vietnam's plea puts South Block in a predicament

Vietnam's request for military assistance from India, primarily in the naval field, has put South Block in a quandary, said official sources.

On the one hand, India would like to pay back Vietnam for its assistance in consistently bolstering its case at multilateral fora such as the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), and on the other, it would not want to irk China as the plea has come shortly after exchanges between Beijing and New Delhi over Oil & Natural Gas Commission Videsh (ONGC Videsh) prospecting for oil and gas in a portion of South China Sea claimed by both China and Vietnam.

Brahmos air-launched version (photo : Brahmos)

Vietnam President Troun Tan Sang made the request in four fields — submarine training, conversion training for its pilots to fly Sukhoi-30, modernisation of a strategic port and transfer of medium-sized warships.

In fact, the sources said, the Vietnam President overlooked protocol to meet senior Indian officials and ensured the timing of their commercial flight was revised to accommodate the unscheduled meeting. Vietnam had asked India to transfer Brahmos cruise missiles and offer its small civil nuclear plants for selection.

India and Vietnam will cooperate in the training of Su-30 pilots (photo : Militaryphotos)

India would be comfortable with providing conversion training for Sukhois as it has completed a similar exercise with Malaysia, another South-East Asian country. Meeting the other three demands needed considerable deliberation, said the sources, as India was not keen to put a spanner in ties with China with which it is shortly slated to sign an agreement to douse tensions by taking care of eye-ball-to-eyeball confrontations between military patrols in certain pockets of the line of actual control (LAC).

In particular, India will have to think hard about Vietnam's request to transfer 1,000 to 1,500 tonne vessels to sanitise Vietnam's long coast line and upgrade the Nha Trang port, located near the critical Cam Ranh Bay, especially after the alleged warning by the Chinese navy to an Indian warship that had left this port after a visit in July.

India and Vietnam will cooperate in the training of Kilo submarine (photo : China Daily)

According to the report submitted by the Navy, INS Airavat left the place quickly after a caller, identifying himself as the “Chinese Navy,” warned that “you are entering Chinese waters.” The Navy has claimed that its men on the warship did not spot any aircraft or ship from where the call had come. It also claimed not to have worked out the coordinates from where the call originated. Indian diplomats said the incident was a “non-event.”

Diplomats here said India would have to factor in two factors — though it had the right to develop ties in its near neighbourhood, it should not be done in a manner that derailed ties with China, especially at a time when the Special Representatives on the border issue were due to meet and Beijing's support wasrequired for entry into the Nuclear Suppliers' Group.

(The Hindu)

26 Oktober 2011

Project 12418 Molniya corvette (photo : ttvnol)

Shipbuilding plant "Vympel" provides assistance to Vietnam in the serial construction of missile boats "Molniya" Project 12418 under the Russian license

MOSCOW, (ARMS-TASS). Shipbuilding plant "Vympel" provides assistance to Vietnam in the serial construction of missile boats "Molniya" Project 12418 under the Russian license.

According korr.ARMS-TASS on the 15th anniversary of the International exhibition "Interpolitech 2011", deputy factory director Dmitri Belyakov, Rybinsk shipbuilders are made and sent to Vietnam in accordance with the approved schedule of component parts and components for the assembly of the first six missile boats " Molniya" project 12418. Manufacture of boats, which have already begun Vietnamese shipbuilders, will be under the technical supervision of construction of the development company - Central Maritime Design Bureau "Almaz" in St. Petersburg, as well as the manufacturer "Vympel -OJSC Shipbuilding" plant.

At present, Vietnam is building the first four boats. For the two boats laid hull, and two already constructed housing commissioned by installing equipment.

Deliveries of spare parts to Vietnam from Rybinsk to six boats, which began in 2010 under a contract worth 30 million dollars, will continue through 2016.

The contract for the construction of Project 12418 missile boats "Molniya" is registered option to build another 4 boats.

Translation option in the firm contract is expected after the date of Vietnam's first naval boats built by Vietnamese shipbuilders.

(Arms Tass)

18 Oktober 2011

The first two ship will be built in Schelde Shipyard, while the other two corvettes will be built in Vietnam (photo : Wim Kosten)

Vietnam ordered four corvettes at Schelde Vlissingen

Vlissingen - Vietnam wants four corvettes ordered from Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen.

That the Vietnamese prime minister said Saturday during his visit to the yard. There is no signed contract. First, the Vietnamese and Dutch governments agree on the funding.

If the order is placed, the aim of the first two ships to be built in Vlissingen. The other two corvettes will be built in Vietnam.

(PZC)

12 Oktober 2011

Po Hang class corvettes (photo : Chosun)

Po Hang Retires To The Tropics

South Korea is donating one of its recently retired Po Hang class corvettes to the Philippines Navy. The Po Hangs are 1,200 ton warships that first entered service in 1984. Since then 24 have been built. Each is armed with four Harpoon anti-ship missiles, one 76mm cannon; two twin 40mm automatic cannon, six torpedo tubes and twelve depth charges. The crew of 95 also operates radar and sonar. Top speed is 59 kilometers an hour. Two Po Hangs have been retired so far, and one was sunk by a North Korean torpedo last year.

The Philippines is an island nation, with 7,100 islands to defend. Long crippled by corruption and bad government, the Philippines have never had much money to spend on the military (or anything else.) Wealthier nations have found it good diplomacy to donate military equipment to the Philippines. The Filipinos appreciate it; because donated military gear is something the thieving politicians have a hard time stealing.

(Strategy Page)

12 Agustus 2011

KDB Darulaman 08 (photo : Helwin Scharn)

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Brunei Armed Forces recorded another significant milestone in its 50th anniversary yesterday with the official acceptance of the third and final Darussalam-class Patrol Vessel, which bears the name KBD Darulaman, in Germany.

Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mustappa bin Hj Sirat, the Deputy Minister of Defence, told the Bulletin, "Basically with these three new ships we are fulfilling the capability requirements for the RBAF, as our main priority will always be to protect our territorial integrity first and foremost."

In response to a question on the future roles for the Royal Brunei Navy, particularly on its ability to contribute to anti-piracy patrols in the region, the deputy minister replied: "The Darussalam-class patrol vessels will allow better flexibility for the armed forces to also address other security issues, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue and even to the extent, if there is a requirement for us to play a greater role, such as that, with the improved and increased capability that we have now with these new ships, we can now consider such a request in the future."

But he carefully pointed out that this was "a consideration at the regional level", and that by comparison to the previous fleet of ageing Waspada-class missile gunboats and Perwiraclass coastal patrol crafts, the Darussalam-class patrol vessels would "definitely afford us greater flexibility, as their range and size and capabilities are much better now".

Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa went on to emphasise though that the RBAF's main priority would always remain the "protection of our maritime sovereignty, our maritime demarcation, as well as protecting our maritime assets, such as against illegal fishing".

Darulaman is a #3 of Darussalam class OPV (photo : Martin Groothuis)



Bearing the pennant number '08', KDB Darulaman is the last of the Darussalam-class patrol vessels that was commissioned, together with its two sister ships KDB Darussalam and KBD Darulehsan, to the world-renowned German shipbuilder, Luerssen Werft Shipyard by His Majesty's Government way back on June 26, 2009, which was when the steel cutting and keel laying were first initiated for the KDB Darulaman. Meanwhile, its official launching took place on November 12, 2010, when it was first announced through a Ministry of Defence press release of the RBAF's official acceptance of the first two Darussalam-class patrol vessels.

In the press release issued yesterday by the ministry, the latest state-of-the-art warship for the Royal Brunei Navy was "accepted on behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat", with the official acceptance, handing over and flag raising ceremony for the KDB Darulaman with the white flag and ensign of the Royal Brunei Navy at the Luerssen Werft Shipyard in Germany.

The ships' officers and crew are at the final stage of their training, according to the press statement, after it had successfully carried out its Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials.

The KDB Darulaman is expected to start its maiden voyage back to Brunei Darussalam in October and is expected to arrive home in December this year. As with its other two sister ships, the KDB Darulaman is fully manned by a full crew from the Royal Brunei Navy.

Just like its two other sister ships, KDB Darulaman is the third in the Royal Brunei Navy fleet of Darussalamclass Patrol Vessels, which is the first of its class and kind for the world-renowned German shipbuilder and the Royal Brunei Navy.

The ship has 80 m in length and equipped with 57mm main gun and MM40 anti-ship-missile (photo : Martin Groothuis)

Measuring 80 metres in length and 13 metres wide, the Darulaman is diesel powered and was designed and built for an endurance of 21-days patrolling at sea.

The ship is also equipped with the battle-proven Exocet MM40 anti-ship missile and a Bofors 57mm main gun for air-defence and surface action.

With the arrival of the KDB Darulaman back to the Sultanate's shores, it will herald the manifestation of "the commitment of His Majesty's Government in further enhancing the Royal Brunei Armed Forces capability to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity", as stated in the ministry's 2004 Defence White Paper and subsequent Defence Update of 2007.

With the full fleet of three 80-metre Darussalam-class patrol vessels and four 41-metre Ijtihad Fast Patrol Boats, it will raise the standard further for the Royal Brunei Navy's capabilities in maintaining and defending the maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity of Brunei Darussalam, as well as support the RBAF's efforts in keeping the peace and stability in the region, at a time of increasingly complex security challenges in the form of piracy, natural disasters and fisheries and resource protection.

With a brand new fleet, the older Waspada-class missile gunboats have already been handed over to the Indonesian Navy, as a measure of goodwill in the country's first security pillar of defence diplomacy, whilst the rest of the smaller and similarly ageing Perwira-class coastal patrol crafts will also be "replaced in stages".

(BruDirect)

03 Agustus 2011

Galicia class LPD (photo : Militaryphotos)

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia sent a sales team to the Philippines in July to follow up on initial interest from the archipelagic nation in regenerating its antiquated naval fleet.

Designs were presented for a landing platform dock (LPD) and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), the company said on 2 August. Noone was available for further comment "because of the summer holidays".

Navantia built two 14,000-tonne Galicia-class LPDs for the Spanish Navy (Armada Española) in the late 1990s; SPS Galicia and SPS Castilla have both been employed on disaster relief/humanitarian aid operations - a capability that would be called upon frequently in and around the Philippines, an area prone to extreme seismic and weather events.

Avante class OPV (image : Navantia)

The company is also offering its Avante 1400 OPV design. Nearly 80 m long and displacing about 1,500 tonnes, this vessel is based on the POVZEE (Patrullero Oceánico para la Vigilancia de la Zona Económica Exclusiva) ships on order for the Venezuelan Navy.

Navantia said that it sent a team to Manila at the beginning of 2011 to "sound out the possible future needs" of the Philippine Navy. The follow-up visit in July came after the Philippines government "asked Navantia to present officially these two products that fit the future needs of their navy".

Navantia's workload has become increasingly export-oriented as its main client, the Armada, has been restricted by three consecutive years of defence budget cuts. The company's director of new construction, Angel Recaman, told Jane's earlier this year that around half its work was now for foreign customers.

(Jane's)

27 Juni 2011

PN warships (photo : Charles Keng)

The Philippine Navy is investigating the possible procurement of one or more helicopter-capable offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) built in-country to a foreign design.

A request for information was issued to potential vendors by US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in May, with a view to progressing the project as a Foreign Military Sales case.

A key requirement, according to the NAVSEA solicitation, is that the OPV "must be new construction but derived from a proven hull design". The specification includes a deep-V monohull built in steel to American Bureau of Shipbuilding classification standards with an overall length of 80-88 m, beam of 10.5-11.55 m and full load displacement of 1,000-1,100 tons.

The ship's complement will be 75 persons (including a flag officer). With an anticipated service life of 30 years, the OPV is expected to operate in conditions up to Sea State 6 and survive in Sea State 7.

Two main diesel engines with fixed-pitch propellers will permit a minimum cruising speed of 14 kt and a maximum continuous speed at full load displacement of not less than 20 kt. Minimum range is 3,500 n miles at cruising speed. A 300 kVA bow thruster is also specified.

Armament will include a 76 mm Oto Melara Super Rapid gun, a stabilised 25 mm gun and two 0.5-inch machine guns. The fire-control system will include radar and electro-optical components, with targeting data obtained from a 3-D surface/air search radar with IFF capability. A passive electronic support measures system will detect radar, laser, infrared warning devices and communications signals.

Margins of space and weight are required for the possible addition of surface-to-air missile, surface-to-surface missile, active electronic warfare and towed array sonar systems, suggesting that the navy wants to 'future-proof' the OPV for possible upgrade to multirole surface combatant.

The communications and navigation suite will include two 255 kW navigation radars (one X-band and one S-band), a satellite communications phone system, a navigational telex and an electronic chart display and information system.

The flight deck will be able to support a 7-ton helicopter for operations during day and night. A hangar does not appear to be a requirement, although a control room and facilities for refuelling and basic maintenance are expected. A stern ramp for two 11-m rigid-hull inflatable boats is also specified, along with a 2-ton deck crane.

The Philippine Navy envisages using the OPV(s) for fleet-marine operations, naval gunfire support tasks, other support for joint operations with the Philippines' army and air force, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The navy is already acquiring several Hamilton-class high enurance cutters from the US Coast Guard; the first of these was formally handed over on 13 May as BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (15).

(Jane's)

25 Juni 2011

Guaiqueri class OPV (photo : Navantia)

Malaysia has followed up its initial interest in Navantia's 99 m offshore patrol vessel (OPV) design with an official visit to the company's Puerto Real shipyard near Cadiz.

A delegation led by the Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MoD), Ismail bin Haji Ahmad, was shown the second of four Guaiqueri-class POVZEE (Patrullero Oceánico para la Vigilancia de la Zona Económica Exclusiva) ships on order for the Venezuelan Navy.

Malaysia is seeking to acquire up to six ships with combatant capabilities under its Second-Generation Patrol Vessel (SGPV) programme. Local shipbuilder Boustead Naval Shipyard, which received a letter of intent from the MoD towards the end of 2010, is looking for an international design and technology partner.

Navantia has offered a design based on the POVZEE; rival contenders include BAE Systems (with a larger version of its 90-m OPV), Damen Schelde (proposing its SIGMA design), DCNS (Gowind family) and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (K130 corvette variant).

The state-owned Spanish shipbuilder told Jane's on 20 June that it expects to hear the MoD's decision soon. Three other nations - Australia, Qatar and South Africa - have also sent representatives to Spain to view the POVZEE build programme.

The Guaiqueri-class OPV seen by the Malaysian delegation, Warao (PC 22), was launched in October 2009 and is undergoing sea trials off Cadiz prior to transfer to Venezuela. The last of the four vessels - previously known as the Caribe class - is scheduled for commissioning in 2012.

(Jane's)

12 Mei 2011

HMNZS Otago (photo : defencetalk)

Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS OTAGO, sailed today on its inaugural deployment to the South Pacific.

Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke, OTAGO and its ship’s company will be visiting Raoul Island, Tonga, Samoa, the Tokelau Islands, Rarotonga and Niue over 38 days.

While in the South Pacific the ship will be undertaking a range of activities including maritime security and surveillance patrols, humanitarian aid disaster relief activity, military and diplomatic engagement within the region and working with Pacific Island states to undertake fisheries surveillance patrols in support of the Forum Fisheries Agency.

OTAGO will also be involved with diverse tasks including: sea riding opportunities and engagement with the Mutual Assistance Programme, hosting 11 artists sponsored by the Pew Environment Group, and providing logistical support to the Department of Conservation amongst other diplomatic engagement activities with the Pacific Island Nations.

Concurrent with these activities, the ship will continue to undergo sea trials and continuation training both at sea and alongside in order to contribute to the full release of the Offshore Patrol Vessel's capability.

HMNZS Otago - offshore patrol vessel (photo : odt)

“This is the first international deployment for OTAGO which offers a new capability in supporting New Zealand’s Pacific Island neighbours” said Lieutenant Commander Rooke.

“The voyage will offer up some challenges for all of us and is a chance to demonstrate how our new ship can operate in the heat of the tropics.”

“We are also looking forward to interacting with ships from the nations we are visiting to enhance our ability to operate together for activities such as Search and Rescue and Resource protection.”

Ship Information

Displacement 1900 tonnes

Length 85 metres

Beam 14 metres

Speed 22 knots

Range 6000 nautical miles

Propulsion 2x Mann Burmeister & Wain 12RK280 diesels producing 5400 kW

Core Complement 35

Flight personnel 10

Multi Agency Complement 4

Additional personnel 30

Total Complement 79

Boat Capacity 2 x 7.3 m Zodiac RHIB

Deployable by 2 x Powered Davits

(RNZ Navy)

09 Maret 2011

Meko Combat Littoral Ship (Meko CLS) from Thyssen Krupp Marines (photo : TKM)

Vessels Purchased Through Agreement With Boustead - Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- The acquisition of the Second Generation Patrol Vessel Littoral Combatant Ship (SGPV-LCS) was not made through open tender because it was a continuity of the privatisation agreement signed between the government and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNS) on Dec 11, 1995, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said through the agreement, the government was planning to build 27 of the second generation patrol vessels.

"It is in line with the government's aspiration to develop the national maritime industry, using the existing infrastructure to become the catalyst in the development of technology and heavy industry.

"It has also created many job and business opportunities to the vendors," he said in reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) during question time.

Lim wanted to know the latest cost borne by the BNS to build the vessels and whether there was a tender process involved before the contract was given to BNS.

The minister said an international market survey revealed that a vessel with the ability comparable to the LCS was priced at between RM1.5 billion and RM2.7 billion each, but the government had yet to finalise the actual cost.

He said BNS was proven capable of building the six patrol vessels which were currently being used by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

"LCS's specifications differ from the six original patrol vessels in several aspects as the LCS is bigger and faster. It is also equipped with three-dimensional warfare equipment like cannons, missiles and torpedoes," he said.

With the rapid development of technology, the RMN would need an LCS with state-of-the-art equipment like the sonar system for submarine detection and anti-submarine torpedoes, which would help in the operation of the two RMN submarines to safeguard the sovereignty of national maritime areas, he said.

Replying to Lim's supplementary question on the rationale behind the acquisition of the vessels, Ahmad Zahid said:

"It is a necessity, not because there is a threat or anything like that. Our neighbouring countries are also in the midst of increasing their naval capabilities, so Malaysia should not be left out and I think the government has never been rhetoric in matters of national defence."


(Bernama)

04 Maret 2011

Fearless class Patrol Vessel (photo : Nur Izuwan)

Angkatan Bersenjata Singapore (SAF) akan lebih berperan dalam operasi perdamaian di luar negeri dan meningkatkan pertahanan nasional dengan menambah beberapa alutsista.

Wakil Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan Teo Chee Hean kemarin mengumumkan rencana tersebut selama pembahasan anggaran pertahanan dengan parlemen.

Prajurit SAF akan terlibat lebih dalam pada operasi mendukung perdamaian di luar negeri di bulan depan.

Di dalam negeri, SAF akan meningkatkan kemampuan sistem pertahanan udara, meningkatakan sistem penginderaan dan menambah alutsistanya.

Pembelian baru termasuk pesawat intai tanpa awak (UAV) Heron 1 dan sistem pertahanan udara Spyder-SR.

Akuisisi alutsista baru tersebut akan menggantikan alutsista sebelumnya yang telah dipakai oleh SAF dengan baik selama 20 sampai 30 tahun terakhir.

Angkatan Laut Singapore juga akan merancang kapal patroli baru untuk menggantikan kapal Fearless class yang sudah mengalami penuaan.

Pembelian alutsista baru ini merupakan bagian dari upaya untuk mengubah SAF menjadi kekuatan tempur generasi ketiga.

Angkatan Laut Singapore mengoperasikan 12 Fearless class Patrol Vessel (photo : Cyberpioneer)

Fearless class merupakan kapal patroli dengan panjang 55 meter, lebar 8,6 meter, serta bobot penuh 500 ton. Kapal ini dikembangkan oleh ST Marine (bagian dari Singapore Technologies Engineering) dan dibangun sebanyak 12 unit yang dioperasikan oleh Squadron 189 dan Squadron 182.

6 Kapal pada squadron 189 mulai bertugas pada tahun 1996 hingga 1997. Sedangkan squadron 182 mulai menerima kapal ini pada tahun 1998 hingga 1999.

Fearless class dilengkapi dengan peralatan canggih dari MTU yang berupa SCMMS Ship Control Monitoring and Management Systems (photo : Naval Technology).

Selain kanon utama super cepat OTO Melara 76mm kapal ini dapat digunakan untuk perang tri matra dengan perlengkapan torpedo anti kapal selam Whitehead, rudal pertahanan udara Mistral Simbad, dan rudal anti kapal permukaan Gabriel II.

Kapal yang dapat melaju dengan kecepatan 20 knot ini dilengkapi pula dengan peluncur decoy chaff sebagai pengelak dari serangan rudal lawan.

Untuk meningkatkan kemampuan manuver, kapal ini dilengkapi dengan waterjet kembar yang memungkinkan kapal bermanuver cepat dan dapat beroperasi di perairan dangkal.

Keduabelas Fearless class Patrol Vessel (image : oocities)

(Defense Studies)

02 Maret 2011

Tacticos 430W (photo : Thales)



HeiTech Padu and Thales Nederland to cooperate in Naval Combat Management System

HeiTech Padu Berhad and Thales Nederland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that confirms their cooperation in the development of a Malaysian Naval Combat Management System.



Both companies agree that, based on a transfer of technology and the implementation of a sophisticated joint software development environment, the Thales Tacticos Combat Management System offered for the Second Generation Patrol Vessel will be developed and produced in Malaysia. Additionally HeiTech Padu will also be involved in the delivery of the Tacticos system currently built for the modernization of the Kasturi Class.



With the experience of HeiTech Padu to deliver real-time network and software applications for the security and defence domain, Thales is convinced to start a cooperation that will serve the Royal Malaysian Navy with first class systems as well as contribute to the development of the Malaysian defence industry. One of the immediate effects will be the establishment of an in-country support facility.



HeiTech Padu selected Thales Nederland as preferred partner based on the leading position of Thales in Naval Combat Management Systems as well as the extensive and proven track record of Thales in international industrial cooperation.



HeiTech Padu Executive Chairman, Dato' Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib: "is honoured by the confidence given by Thales for HeiTech to spearhead the integration and localisation of their state of the art Combat Management System. HeiTech is committed to take full advantage of this opportunity and hence contribute significantly to the Malaysian defence industry."



Thales Nederland CEO Gerben Edelijn is proud of this MoU: “This agreement emphasizes the strength of our Tacticos Combat Management System and it reinforces the excellent relation between Thales and its Malaysian partners.”



About HeiTech Padu

HeiTech Padu Berhad, a public listed company on the main board of the Bursa Malaysia is Malaysia's leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Solutions Provider. HeiTech has delivered high impact ICT solutions, focusing on niche market segments for the defence and security, insurance, financial, health, education, manufacturing and utility industries. Our testimonies include the delivery of mission critical projects for Malaysian Government agencies. The two decades of collaborative partnership with the Government reflects the trust and confidence in our value proposition and commitment. Capitalizing on HeiTech's technical strength and expertise of more than 1,000 workforce, coupled with our home-grown solutions, we are well poised to deliver breakthrough ICT solutions for Malaysian and beyond. www.heitech.com.my.



About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2009, the company generated revenues of 12.9 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com



Thales Nederland employs about 2,000 staff members The company, established in 1922, is one of the leading companies in integrated naval systems for surveillance, weapon control, combat management and system integration worldwide.www.thalesgroup.com/nl



(Thales Nederland)

13 Februari 2011

SGPV will adopt Gowind Littoral Combat Ship class type with alength of 99.5 m and the full weight of 2200 tons (photo: DefenseUpdate)

Defence Analysts Rubbish Opposition Allegations On 'High Cost' Of Ships

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- Defence analysts have rubbished allegations by an opposition member of parliament that the government's move to procure six Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) costing RM6 billion, costs 870 per cent more than what other countries paid for similar ships.

A defence and security analyst, Dzirhan Mahadzir, said the comparison made by DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentarian Tony Pua in a local news portal was based on widely different ships.

"The government amount is within a reasonable estimate of how much it will cost with the capabilities said to be present for the SGPV-LCS (Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ships)," he told Bernama here today when asked to comment on Pua's statement in the website.

Sharing a similar view, Asian Defence Journal editor M. Ghazemy Mahmud said the high cost in the procurement of the six LCS was rational, taking into consideration the capability and sophistication of the ships.

"Although the vessels were based on the corvette design, it is actually known as LCS and its equipment is far more sophisticated, capable and superior than the earlier six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), hence the higher cost," he said.

Ghazemy said, due to the complicated and complex nature of the building of the naval ship, it was easy to be confused over the actual cost and type of naval ships.

Details of one type Gowind class ship (image:DCNS)

"The figure (RM6 billion) is standard ballpark in the naval ship building industry. Only those in the industry can understand the complex nature of naval ship building," he said.

He said the procurement was part of an overall programme planned more than a decade ago where the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) wanted to built 27 corvette-type warships to replace the British-made patrol vessels bought in the 60s and 70s.

Dzirhan, a correspondent for Jane's Defence Weekly, said the procurement of the six LCS would not only increase the number of RMN fleets in facing the 21st century challenges, the vessels' planned sensors and radars would also give RMN an enhanced sea surveillance capability to detect and prevent piracy and terrorism activities.

"By their planned capabilities for anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, the ships will greatly enhance the capabilities of the RMN to meet such threats (piracy, terrorism and territorial disputes) in times of war," he said.

On the issue that the purchase of the vessels was not made through competitive bidding as compared to other developed countries, Dzirhan said Pua had got the facts wrong.

Dzirhan said RMN Chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz had earlier said the ships would be built by the Boustead Naval Shipyard, in collaboration with one of the six overseas shipyards which was shortlisted.

"The RMN has requested for quotations and proposals solicitated from foreign companies at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in 2009.

"In fact, it has been reported since then on several occasions about this fact, and that the government was looking at the various foreign proposals.

Also, similar examinations of quotations and proposals are being conducted on the ships' weapon systems, radar, electronic equipment and sensors, all of which will be sourced from various foreign suppliers," he added.

He said however, all these were being conducted behind closed-doors, "not just because the government wants it so, but also because the companies do not want disclosures of their proposals and offer prices to be available to their competitors.

"Dzirhan said the experience in building the ships and the transfer of technology and expertise would allow the local defence industry to develop capabilities to meet the government's goal of self-sufficiency in defence.

(Bernama)

06 Februari 2011

One of alternatives model for patrol vessel (photo : Bernama)

LUMUT, (Bernama) -- The government has agreed to allocate RM6 billion to build six second generation patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Saturday.

The construction of the ships will boost the economy while benefiting 632 vendor companies, he told reporters here after a briefing on the project.

"Thus, we will ensure that at least RM2 billion of the allocation will benefit these vendor companies which are strategic partners of Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd," he added.

Ahmad Zahid said that he would himself monitor the progress of the project, due to start next year, and ensure that all concerned benefit from it and that there was no delay in paying the vendors.

He said that Boustead Naval Shipyard had constructed several new generation vessels for the RMN and shown itself to be on par with other ship builders in the world.

Ahmad Zahid also said the Lumut-Bagan Datoh coastal area here has been identified for a world-class shipyard to be developed over the next 10 to 20 years.

He said the defence industry, including shipping, had immense potential in the Asean region and now generated income of US$25 billion a year.

If Malaysia could attract at least 20 per cent of the defence spending, US$5 billion or RM15 billion could be generated by companies in the country, he said.

Ahmad Zahid the government was now trying to attract more defence industry-based projects, including ship building, to the country.

(Bernama)