SHAH ALAM: Malaysian Defence in previous three postings had written on the headwinds in the introduction of the four Black Hawk helicopters leased for the Army’s Air Wing or Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD). The contract for the four helicopters was signed at LIMA 2023.
The current forecast is now cloudy even though the Army chief had stated on March 19 that the first helicopter will be delivered last month.
It is interesting to note that Lockheed Martin – the manufacturer of the Black hawks – is listed as one of the biggest advertisers at the Defence Services Asia 2024 (DSA 2024) which starts on May 6. Though their interest may lie on the Army next funding cycle.
Perhaps, we will get an official statement on the matter next week at DSA as well. Of course there are other Army issues which had not been resolved, like the SPH, HMAV and HMLTV.
I have been informed of the latest developments, but I will try to get official statements on the issues and others of course. If I do not manage to get official statements, I will write about them after the show.
RMN, according to its chief Admiral Rahman Ayob will also unveil the realignment of its 15-to-5 transformation plan at DSA as well. The new baseline is necessary as RMN will not be able to achieve the plan, mostly due to funding issues, and the delays in the LCS project.
RMN cannot simply come up with a completely new plan as 15-to-5 has been codified into the Defence White Paper 2019 which had been passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (18)
I feel like laughing at the Army generals but stopped short as they aren't exactly management aces.
Qué Sera Sera
What will be will be
What is the main issues for black hawks delivery delays despite contract already signed last year? Army rejected them? Issues with the suppliers??
From the PTD statements it seems to imply that its the failure of the vendor to get those choppers ready for delivery. How could they even fail this simple selection process of choosing the right vendor?
The selection process I was told was done correctly. Unfortunately, when it comes to delivery other things cropped up which will not be visible/turned up at the selection process which was a documentation exercise really.
"which was a documentation exercise really."
Documentation to the Govt, or documentation to get these choppers? Its precisely these kind of redtapes which the Govt prefer not to handle which is why they get private vendors to do the job. By right the vendor, if selected correctly, should be competent to know what they needed to do end to end (unless its something to do with getting US Congress approval to allow leasing of these US made choppers? Does it actually go that far if just to lease? IDK).
In tender or qn you send in documents as stated by the notice. If all the documents were filled in correctly, they will be shortlisted and their offer will be based on these documents. And if they are selected because of their offer but failed to deliver them once selected, is it the fault of the selection or they themselves?
There was no need to get the US Congress approval for the lease as these are not brand new equipment nor has strategic value. They just need clearance from the State Department.
Waiting patiently to see if there is any major changes in the TLDM 15 to 5 plan.
Will it be content to be a force that at best just able to deal with the Chinese Coast Guard, or re-geared to be able to hold off the might of the PLA-Navy.
The earliest submarine purchase is on 2031? Buying 1 at a time will make it more expensive. They should buy 2 at a time.
We simply cant afford a force that can take on a superpower navy. That is fact.
If we cannot have a navy that functions as a navy, then just disband it.
Just maintain a Coast Guard for non-war maritime security missions.
selecting a failed bid is in fact responsible of the purchaser. Pre-qualification wasn't done right.
Based on your logic, just about every other 3rd World navies should be disbanded coz none could hope to take on any superpower.
If you forget we arent exactly chums with our ASEAN neighbours and none of them have navies on par with a superpower. Go figure why each of us still needs a navy.