KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammudin today – more or less – confirmed that the Blackhawks we are getting from Brunei will be procured instead of a donation. Its more or less as the defence minister did not say it himself but he left it to the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (development) Datuk Dr Rothiah Omar.
Hishammudin was asked about the Blackhawks after the contracts signing ceremony at the DSA 2016 show at PWTC here. The four Blackhawks according to him would be delivered in September instead.
Asked further whether the Blackhawks were donated or need to be paid, Hishammudin deferred the answer to Dr Rothiah. When met shortly later, Rothiah confirmed that the Blackhawks were to be paid ‘for a nominal sum”.
“Reports suggesting that the helicopter will be given to us free of charge is not correct. We need to pay for the helicopters and also the spares,” she told Malaysian Defence. Asked how much, she said it will be “a nominal sum”.
Asked whether the amount was for USD15 million (RM58.3 million) Rothiah said the amount was correct but it had not been finalised yet. On whether or not Airod Sdn Bhd will be providing maintenance and support for the Blackhawks, Rothiah again said the matter was not finalised.
Meanwhile, earlier in the ceremony, the ministry signed ten contracts, four Letters of Acceptance (LOA); two Letters of Intent and a Letter of Instruction. The emcees announced that the contracts and others were worth some RM2.9 billion. The two biggest deals are for the Scorpene refit (Boustead DCNS Sdn Bhd) for RM1.173 billion and the Starstreak missiles (RM897 million).
Both of these have been announced previously. Here and Here. Also signed was the deal for the six MD Helicopters MD530G light scout armed helicopters, RM321 milion. Malaysian Defence was told that the contract includes the weapon systems and training. The weapons package include the Dillon Aero M134 mini-gun, rocket pods and the FN Herstal RMP Rocket Machine gun pod.
Note the contracts amount listed here are based on the announcement made by the emcees during the ceremony.
The contracts:
– DRB Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) signed contracts for 222 units of 3 tonnes Handalan trucks (RM73.7 million) and spare parts and services for the PT-91M MBT and its variants (RM33 million)
– Global Komited Sdn Bhd (Weststar subsidiary) for the Starstreak missile system (RM897 million).
– Gading Kasturi Sdn Bhd for the rental services of Airbus Helicopters EC120B helicopters for basic flight training (RM134 million)
– Puncak Teknologi Sdn Bhd for the supply of harbour surveillance and underwater detection system for the RMN.
(RM24.9 milion)
– GPB Corporation for the rental of school buses for the Armed Forces (RM14.6 million)
– Flumen Technologies for the Army’s Virtual Immersive Training Simulator (RM33.8 million)
– Halaman Optima Sdn Bhd for the purchase of six MD Helicopters MD530G (RM321 million).
– Kulitkraf Sdn Bhd for combat boots for the Malaysian Army (RM77.9 million)
– Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation Sdn Bhd for the Scorpene submarines refit (RM1.173 billion)
LOAs
– AVP Engineering Sdn Bhd for 22 units of 5 tonnes 4X4 MAN GS cargo trucks (RM15.4 million)
– Usahawan PSE Sdn Bhd for the supply FAST ballistic helmets (RM45.9 million)
– Astra Permai for the barter trade of Otomat missiles and components with eight Electro-Optical Fire Control System (EOFCS) for the 24th Corvette Squadron (RM34.5 million)
The four ships of the Laksamana class will have two EOFCS each, aft and forward to control the two guns. The EOFCS selected is the Gem Elettronica EOFCS115A
– Zigmar Sdn Bhd for the RMAF C130 Ageing Aircraft Technical Training Management (RM18.7 million)
LOIs
– US Government for the supply of M109A5 Self-Propelled Howitzer
– Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd for the supply of parts and services for the Arrius 1A engines of the RMN Fennec helicopters.
Letter of Instruction
– National Defence Aerospace Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI) for proof of concept for the avionics upgrades programme for the Nuri Helicopter.
I do not have more details about the contracts for the combat boots and ballistic helmets but hopefully I will get them tomorrow. The LOI for the M109s is not confirmation that we are actually buying them but its just a formality to ensure that the howitzers are not offered to other countries.
— Malaysian Defence
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IMO the most interesting info today is-
The barter trade of otomats for the EOFCS.
The army is doing it (starburst) now the navy is doing it (otomat). I really like the out of the box thinking of these two services.
Now for the inevitable question. When is the airforce is following suit? You have the migs, old mb339am, f-5e’s and other unwanted airplanes that is ripe for barter/trade in with other equipments.
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Yes interesting but actually we are paying someone to destroy these missiles. It will be cheaper for us to destroy them ourselves
Well at least with a new fire director the Super Rapids and Dardos on the Laksamanas will be operable. The class won’t be jokingly referred to as ”FAC – GPMG anymore.
Good news about the ” Virtual Immersive Training Simulator”. Unfortunately we are no closer to getting a PT-91 gunnery simulator, for which Ruag was to have received the contract.
The problem with selling the MBB-339As is that some of them have no engines and some have metal fatigue after years of service. The only aircraft we still operate [that are aged]; that actually can find a willing buyer [Sikorsky offered to take them back if we bought the S-92] are the Nuris; and possibly the C-130Hs [by freight companies].
A problem with selling the Fulcrums is that they have been tweaked to suit our requirements. Any present Fulcrum user or one that is contemplating getting used Fulcrums probably has a long history of operating Soviet/Russian gear and wouldn’t want to spend too much cash converting them [i.e. changing the cockpit layout, replacing the mission computer, TACAN, IFF, GPS, etc, etc] Acquiring Fulcrums from other sources would be less problematic.
“AVP Engineering Sdn Bhd for 22 units of 5 tonnes 4X4 MAN GS cargo trucks (RM15.4 million)”
Are these the same trucks as SAF uses?
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Most likely
Malaysia LOI for 20 units Nexter Caesar 155mm SPH.
http://www.miltechmag.com/2016/04/dsa-2016-nexter-caesar-for-malaysian.html
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It’s just the LOI between Nexter and the local agent only
What are the numbers stated for the procurement of M109 Paladin? Was it stated in the LOI?
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No, just read my previous stories on the Paladin
If we were to indeed get the Paladin, don’t see why the Caesar will still be needed. Or will it?
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At the moment in time, no funds
Is it necessary for the army to purchase the Army’s Virtual Immersive Training Simulator? What do you think of the product?
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Yes we need to find ways to train our soldiers in a variety of scenarios so they can better be prepared for it. Hopefully other non infantry units can also have their simulators. I have not experienced the VIRTSIM so I cannot say anything about it
Hmm… a picture of of what seems to be a kawest upgraded m109 SPH with indonesian flag attached to it (with m113 in the background also with indonesian flags)
http://pussenarmed.net/images/stories/arm%201.jpg
Most likely to appeal to the Indonesian delegates, they did sold some of their m109 to brazil
It’s a stock barrel, definitely not kawest barrel
Belgium M109A4BE
http://www.modelbouwleuven.com/resources/walkarounds/M109A4BE/M109A4BE.JPG
M109 with “Kawest” barrel
http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/facebooknations/images/8/82/M109A9_Paladin_SPA.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20141216100116