KUALA LUMPUR: Cold Feet. Although RMN Chief Adm Kamarulzaman Badaruddin had said that the service will unveil the design of the MRSS at DSA 2018, it appears that will not happen.
I was told that the Defense Ministry officials were concerned how such a move will be digested ahead of the general elections on May 9. Furthermore funding for the MRSS remained elusive and it is not seen as good move to unveil the chosen design ahead of confirmed allocation.
The MRSS contenders, models are not to scale.
When asked about this Kamarulzaman confirmed the three models displayed at the RMN’s booth were “a general idea of the design for the MRSS”. As we reported earlier, the three models were the high, medium and low end designs being considered for the MRSS program
On the conceptual designs of the NGPV and LMS batch 2 displayed at BHIC booth, Kamarulzaman says they were preliminary ones based on the current requirements and more, importantly funding, under the 15-to-5 plan.
“The requirements will change when we have the necessary funding. If we have funds for missiles and other capabilities, of course we will put them on the ships.”
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (3)
The real question is
If the NGPV batch 2 and LMS batch 2 is so similar in spec, size and capability, why do you need 2 types of ship in the 1st place??
If only I can get the details of both of the models... (length, width, range)
Reply
The NGPV Batch 2 specification is the same as the current Kedah class. The hull and machineries are according to BNS officials will be the same though some things may need to be replaced due to obsolescence issues. LMS Batch 2 had no specification.
I think the medium-sized LPD by Turkey is somewhat similar to Levent class of LPD.
It looks better than Makassar-class, from civilian point of view. If the specifications is somewhat similar to or better from Levant class, how I wish we could have this.
Reply
The proposed Levent class LPD was dropped in favour of the Mistral-derived LPH project.
So RMN want LHD type MRSS like Mistral 170?
Reply A
If the government is willing to fork out the money. An LPH will need a dedicated air wing though, raising the investment cost considerably.