KUALA LUMPUR: Broken Record. The first of class LCS – PCU Maharaja Lela – is likely to be delivered to the RMN in 2019 without its major sub-system’s, its principal weapons. This was confirmed by Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd (BHIC) LCS programme Director Azhar Jumaat in an interview at DSA 2018.
BHIC sister company, Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) is building the ships at its yard in Lumut. Azhar says the company will be writing a letter to explain the reason for the delay, the delivery of schedule of the sub-systems – namely the surface to surface missiles and the surface to air missiles – the Kongsberg NSM and MBDA VL MICA.
Live firing with NSM missile from corvette HNoMS Gnist outside Andøya in Northern-Norway
The government awarded the LOA (the contract letter) to Kongsberg at DSA 2018 while MBDA was only awarded the LOI for the MICA. No word yet on which torpedoes have been chosen for the six ship class. Although the launchers and other equipment had been signed by BNS (NSM in 2015), the government had not signed the contract for the missiles (NSM only) until DSA 2018.
MBDA MICA missile
“The delay in getting the missiles obviously will have an impact on our schedules, we may have to deliver the ships without the capabilities,” says Azhar. BNS is contractually obligated to hand over Maharaja Lela to the RMN in early 2019 just in time for it to take part in LIMA 2019 with the rest of the class being delivered one by one starting in 2020.
J+S, now SEA torpedo launcher and handling system selected for the LCS.
With deliveries of the first NSM expected in at least 24 months following the contract signing, it is likely that Maharaja Lela could only test fire them in 2020 at the earliest. As for the MICA and torpedoes it could be later than that as both contracts have yet to be awarded.
HMS Wesminster firing a torpedo from her launcher, which is similar to the one fitted to the LCS.
With this in mind it is likely that the commissioning of Maharaja Lela will only take place once the all systems and sub-systems have been tested and were in full compliance of the contractual obligations. Commissioning for the Lekiu class were delayed for some four years due to software issues with the Nautis combat management system. One of the issues I was told was that the CMS could not work reliably with the Seawolf SAM. Both ships were launched in December, 1994 and May 1995 and were commissioned October and November. 1999.
The LCS major equipment detailed. RMN graphic
Therefore, technically, BNS could after all meet its contractual obligations to hand over the Maharaja Lela in 2019 to RMN but commissioning for the moment is likely at the earliest is 2020. If they did not encounter any difficulties, of course.
That said the original contract for the LCS call for the six ships to be delivered in 2017. This was pushed to 2019 when the government amended the contract in 2013.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (30)
Marhalim, too many bad news for a span of a few days. IMO this was better left unreported...
Come on, better late than never. It’s just a ploy to delay payment, maybe? But a least there will be 6 new LCS, still good news in my opinion.
Another issue that led to late delivery of the Lekius is that during trials in the North Sea; the hatch of the Bofors [nt sure which ship] was left open and sea water got in. That was the responsibility of yard however. On integration issues I was told that the trackers had interface issues.
Well it's not all bad news. The contracts for the LG1s and M-109s are signed and the army is making progress with its NCO programme. The LCSs will be delivered [during a period when the RMN will be familarising itself with them] without MICA and NSM but these will come at a later date. The question is why NSM was only signed when it was and why MICA has yet to be signed.
@ azlan
"The question is why NSM was only signed when it was and why MICA has yet to be signed"
Biggest probability?
$$$$
Contract detail + $ will be the main reason why it delay...
.... - ''Biggest probability?''
Could also have been issues related to contract implementation or technical issues that are unresolved. Who knows? Various reasons apart from cash issues could have led to the delay. Even during the times when cash was less of an issue; contracts were stalled for various reasons; sometimes for minor reasons.
.... - ''Biggest probability?''
Could also have been issues related to contract implementation or technical issues that are unresolved. Who knows? Various reasons apart from cash issues could have led to the delay. Even during the times when cash was less of an issue; contracts were stalled for various reasons; sometimes for minor reasons.
Azlan, don’t forget the MPA as well and the LMS and progression of MRSS. I totally agree, the good news outweigh the bad !
For a compex project such as this, challenges and difficulties in every process such as integration are common.
Reply
Yes challenges and difficulties are part of any manufacturing process but the delay in signing for the missiles could have been avoided. Yes the former RMN chief fought hard to get the missiles the service wanted but by mid 2015, the decision to get the NSM and MICA had been made. There was no longer a reason to delay the contracts as by mid 2016 the final design of the ships have been signed off. If the contracts have been signed off then the missiles would likely be ready for delivery even a small batch by 2019 ready for the trials.
Tom Tom - ''I totally agree, the good news outweigh the bad !''
To some extent yes. But apart from the recently ordered hardware there are many areas where the MAF is still in need of attention in various areas. .
- The vast majority of our infantry units still haven't optics, NGVs and body armour in sufficient quantity. Granted most units have a bit of this and that but the fact remains; still not enough for the job.
- We have a basic tri service EW capability but there is still lot of room for improvement. Like most other militaries and even Tier 1 ones; we are very vulnerable to EW attack as well as disruptions to SATCOM, GPS and radio network. As theMAF becomes increasingly digitised it also leaves it more vulnerable.
- Despite the LCSs and LMSs on order; there is still no indication as to whether the 15/5 will really deliver as intended. For that matterwe have no idea if the 4 LMSs will be fitted out as intended shortly after delivery to enable them to do what is intended.
- I won't elaborate but we have a number of weapons that are close to exceeding their shelf life and have to be replaced.
- The NCO programme is moving in the right direction but it all depends on adequate funding being provided to take in to the desired level.
- Despite the talk of a MALE UAS and the reported buy of a short range Chinese system; there are no immediate plans to equip infantry and artillery units with short range systems.