SHAH ALAM: Defence Minister DS Khaled Nordin in his new year message today announced that RM12 billion has been allocated for the procurement of assets this year. He said among the assets to be procured are 105mm howitzers (Army); surface to surface missiles for KD Jebat and three units of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System (MALE UAS).
It is likely that the MALE UAS, he was referring to is the Turkish Aerospace Anka drones which had been contracted previously. This may also indicate that the three UAS will be delivered this year.
As for the 105mm guns, checks around with industry sources revealed that the procurement will involved two regiments. The Army currently operates one regiment of the KNDS LG1 Mark III howitzers (1 RAD attached with the 10th Para Brigade and the Oto Melara 105mm pack howitzers (at least five to eight regiments worth of guns). A tender for the procurement of the howitzers is expected later this year.
It is likely that the 105mm contract will mean that the SPH and HMAV ones will not go ahead in the near future.
For the SSMs, will it be the latest version of the MBDA Exocet, the Block 3C? Checks with sources have not been fruitful, though. If they bought the latest version of the Exocet, it can also be used on Jebat’s sister ship, KD Lekiu and also the Kasturi class corvettes, KD Kasturi and KD Lekir. The last time we bought new Exocets was when the Kasturi class corvettes underwent their Service Life Extension Programme in mid-2000s.
Of course, they could cheapen out and just used the NSM already in storage in Lumut. The launchers are already with the Lumut Naval Shipyard as they were bought for the LCS. Funds are of course needed to integrate the NSM on the Jebat. It will be much cheaper -as it is already paid for and delivered – rather than buying a slew of brand new Exocets or Atmaca – for the sake of argument.
Khaled also revealed further developments on the LCS project saying that LCS1 is undergoing its harbour and sea acceptance tests. The ship has achieved 96.52 per cent completion so far. He further said tht LCS2, LCS3, and LCS4 are at 86.61 per cent, 76.60 per cent, and 65.05 per cent completed, respectively.
As for the LCS5 is approximately 48.72 per cent completed. Khalid added that LCS2 has been tested on water and is currently undergoing ‘Setting To Work’ part of the building process. LCS3 is in its final preparation for water trials, planned for January 2026.
Regarding the LMS Batch 2, three ships are expected to be around 13.8 per cent completed by June 2025.
For the Fighter Lead-In Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA) FA-50, the first two planes out of 18 are expected to be received by October 2026.
Additionally, he added the two Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPAs) – contracted at LIMA 2023 – are expected to be received in June and September 2026.
*Updated to include the SPH and HMAV contracts.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (8)
I dunno. probably cheaper to replace them with Atmaca as atmaca is supposedly even cheaper than Harpoon.
Yes Atmaca maybe cheaper, but we need to buy them and get it delivered, around two years lead time or less if Turkish loan us one live missile and training one plus the launchers from their stocks. Also need to pay for the integration process.
It is the same for the Exocets, but it is likely we can get one delivered quickly for integration - supposed to be quick.
Again the cheapest is the NSM, as its already paid for and already in Lumut together with the launchers and likely also training ones to familiarise themselves with the missiles. The only extra money needed is for integratation on the Jebat. It will also be a good exercise for RMN engineers ahead of doing the same thing for the LCS.
Glad that the LCS are progressing.
new missiles for KD Jebat?
No need lah. Just buy more NSM for the Gowinds...
I don't think spending any money for Jebat is prudent. Just spend enough for it to operate as an OPV... By next year (2026) KD Maharaja Lela will be operational anyway with the NSM missile so why bother?
or better, allocate money for the Gowind air defence missiles (VL MICA-NG or whatever)
Why do we need 105mm howitzers when all our neighbors are bristling with 155mm howitzers?
Against non state actors the mortars will do just fine.
More 105mm howitzers for the army instead of other things is surprising.
So no new APCs and IFVs then?
Prioritising new 105mm howitzers for the army will not help to contribute much towards countering our current defence prime concerns. IMO the army should prioritise long range precision strikes (by long range artilleries or missiles), a capability that the army totaly lacks right now.
I believe the new 105s are to replace our pack howitzers but isnt that a regressive move to maintain this calibre for the regular arty? I can understand LG1 was meant for 10PARA which is a light mobility unit but it time we moved onto fully 155mm for the rest. Speaking of which what about the 155mm SPH, seems like no more news again. Its still EVA rite? Rite??
As for SSM, the LCSs are proceeding to completion, no point rob Peter to pay Paul at this stage. I would also question whether its wise to buy new expensive missiles for ships that will use for just 10 years. Would there be intention to move them onto the next new boats, if yes then I think worth buying sufficient quantities. Otherwise just a bare minimum enough for 2 boats for swapping onto whichever ship is going back out to sea.
I wish I could see large format of that MPA photo. I think I could see a bomb bay door but I cannot be sure from the pic above.
ATR-72 does not have any bomb bays. But it will have a fuselage - torpedo plyon just behind the front cabin doors
https://i.redd.it/yvbp4389racc1.jpeg