Edited to add pictures courtesy of Australian Defence Force and to state that RAAF Super Hornets are not involved
PETALING JAYA: The latest installment of the FPDA Exercise Bersama Lima 2011 starts yesterday in Singapore. It will go until Nov 4. It is the 40th anniversary of the exercise which brings together Malaysia and Singapore with the forces of UK, Australia and New Zealand.
A 40th anniversary celebration is expected to be held next month in Singapore. Whats more interesting this time around is the first participation of the Eurofighter Typhoons. Four of the RAF latest jets are in Singapore taking part in the exercise.
Unfortunately it appeared that the RAAF is only sending its Hornets this time around. So its up to Malaysia and Singapore to add more fun to the furball by adding their Flankers and Eagles into the mix. But it appears only RAF will have the bragging rights.
Anyhow posted below is the ADF statement on the exercise:
ADF joins milestone security exercise
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will participate in Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011, a major military exercise with Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the successful FPDA, illustrating the long-term commitment of the founding members to regional stability and defence to defence cooperation.
To mark this important milestone, Minister Smith will attend the 40th Anniversary FPDA Defence Ministers Meeting in Singapore next month.
Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011 will be conducted by the FPDA member countries in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea from 17 October to 4 November 2011.
Chief of Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Ash Power said the FPDA provides the ADF with the opportunity to develop relationships with important security partners while reinforcing Australia’s long-term commitment to regional peace and prosperity.
“The FPDA continues to be an integral part of the regional security architecture because of its ability to remain relevant to the needs of its members by adapting to the changing security environment,” Lieutenant General Power said.
“Since the FPDA’s formation the scope of its activities has expanded from air defence to the development of joint capabilities, which has helped to develop greater interoperability among the armed forces of member nations,” Lieutenant General Power said.
Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011 will involve a total of 68 aircraft, 19 ships, 2 submarines and various support elements.
Australia’s contribution to the exercise includes Air Force multi-role F/A-18 Hornets, two Minehunters, a Replenishment ship and a Collins class submarine.
The Commander of the ADF forces, Brigadier Chris Hamilton, said BERSAMA LIMA aims to enhance the interoperability of the combined air, ground and naval forces of the FPDA countries to conduct combined and joint warfare activities.
“BERSAMA LIMA also explores opportunities to incorporate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief capacity building,” Brigadier Hamilton said.
–Malaysian Defence
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hopefully there will be showdown between these great fighter jets!!
It will be a big embarassment to the TUDM if the Su-30MKMs are not fully employed. If all they do is perform a few ‘airshow’ flybys, it will only reinforce the already negative perception of the TUDM’s Flankers. Hiding behind ‘rahsia’ is not an acceptable excuse for not demonstrating the capabilities of an aircraft, especially to allies, with whom we are supposed to be able to conduct joint operations. What more, if we can’t perform such tasks during training exercises, how will be do so in wartime?!
FareedLHS,
Why on earth would it be a big ”embarassment”? Has 11 Squadron even reached OIC yet? Do you know, because I don’t?The fact that the Flankers are not participating could be due to a number of reasons, namely training slots, the need to juggle QRA slots with other squadrons, rountine maintanence, etc,…..
Why are you assuming that the MKMs are not participating because of non-servicibility issues or because of ”rahsia”?? BTW, 11 Squadron just participated in an exercise recently in Sabah.
Azlan,
The entire area of defence is shrouded in a cloud. It is impossible to know what is truly going on, because most of the time those that should know do not even know!
If the Flankers are not participating in the exercise, an explanation should be provided. If they have not yet reached IOC (initial operational capability), then that is truly an embarrassment. If it’s as you say (QRA assignments, routine maintenance, etc.), then it should be easy for the TUDM to just say so. (Have you heard anything Marhalim?) Otherwise, we are left to conjecture. Am I not permitted to do so?
As for the Sabah exercise – were there any participants other than the TUDM?
By the way, what I meant by hiding behind ‘rahsia’ was in reference to the IAF not using their radars during the US Red Flag exercise a few years ago. To me it would be unacceptable for the TUDM to hold back the Flankers from an exercise with allies, merely to protect a radar system whose capabilities are more than likely already well known by the RSAF, RAAF, et al.
Marhalim,
I thought you might want to tweet this…
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8011696&c=ASI&s=LAN
No need to post…
Reply
We have been a loyal buyer of Simrad EO before so the deal is part of a long relationship. But I wonder whether all of the AV8 will be equipped with the system ….
Fareed LHS,
I’m sorry but I really don’t get where you’re getting at. Why would it be an ”embarrassment” if the Flankers have not reached OIC? Has 11Sqs combat syllabus been even developed? And why should the RMAF provide a public explanation for the non participation of the Flankers? Next year will you be asking the RMN to provide an explanation as to why the Scorpenes are not participating in CARAT or SEA MALPHI?
As for Ex-PARADISE no it was only the RMAF but so what? It was in response to you claiming the Flankers were not fit to participate in an training exercises. The use of radar is not an issue as the radar will be set in training mode as the IAF did in the U.S. and the U.K. [all radar have various modes including a training one which uses different frequencies]. And yes of course you are allowed to speculate but speculating and openly stating that 11SQ is not participating because its Flankers are non-servicable or under performing, when you or anyone here does not have the facts to back it up, is in my opinion not on…. It would be like me stating the whole of the army is not combat ready due to the fact that only 10th Para participates in the annual CARAT exercise with the USMC…
FareedLHS,
This was a previous contract signed with SIMRAD.
http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=9433837
To date 3 contracts have been signed for the AV8 – for the BMS, the CBRN and now with SIMRAD. Will be interesting to see if Denel or Oto Melara gets the contracts for the turret.
Reply
Unofficially its Denel, as some Malaysians have already been sent to South Africa to oversee the manufacture of the turrets. The big fight now is for the supply of the 50 calibre guns….
Fareed,
Your concern is not quite the main factor of the mess. The hint is, whenever there is no “profitability” it is likely to be how it should be. An example of profitability is the asset management. Hope it helps answering your concern. 🙂
Marhalim,
You mean the actual 12.7mm HMGs? It will most probably either be from Manroy or FN. The ones on the Super Lynxs are from FN. The army I believe, has a mix of Manroy and FN HMGs. Denel has also been pushing the Ingwee. Rather than putting an ATGW on the AV8, getting Javelin for our infantry would IMO be a better bet.
Reply
Yes, DRB wants Manroy but the Army prefer the ones from FN. The Javelin has been integrated into turrets already so maybe they can buy both for the AV8 and the infantry
Azlan,
Let me try to answer you in plain English…
“Why would it be an ”embarrassment” if the Flankers have not reached OIC? Has 11Sqs combat syllabus been even developed?”
The Flankers were ordered in 2003. The last aircraft were received 2 years ago. So in all that time, do you mean to tell me that the TUDM has not figured out what to do with them yet?
“And why should the RMAF provide a public explanation for the non participation of the Flankers?”
All branches of the armed forces should provide public statements. Especially when questions arise. Apparently in Malaysia, it is acceptable to leave the public entirely in the dark as to how it’s billions are being spent. Look at how Marhalim has to dig for information from the Australians and others to get information on our own forces!
“Next year will you be asking the RMN to provide an explanation as to why the Scorpenes are not participating in CARAT or SEA MALPHI?”
If they are not, all the TLDM needs to do is state that they are in refit, routine overhaul, participating in training elsewhere or whatever. If the question is asked: why are the Scorpenes not participating, how hard is to provide a simple answer? By the way, have you seen any footage of the Scorpenes on operations? Have you seen them dive? Such questions that have routinely been raised over the years, could easily be dispelled with a 3 minute video provided by the navy. So, why are such videos not forthcoming? Look at how the problems of the Collins class submarines of Australia have been covered. In a democracy, the people have the right to know. Apparently Malaysia finds itself somewhere between a democracy and a one-party state.
“As for Ex-PARADISE no it was only the RMAF but so what? It was in response to you claiming the Flankers were not fit to participate in an training exercises. The use of radar is not an issue as the radar will be set in training mode as the IAF did in the U.S. and the U.K. [all radar have various modes including a training one which uses different frequencies].”
There is a difference between conducting exercises on your own and under the scrutiny of international participants. The expectations are completely different. And yes, I am fully aware of the various modes of modern radar.
“And yes of course you are allowed to speculate but speculating and openly stating that 11SQ is not participating because its Flankers are non-servicable or under performing, when you or anyone here does not have the facts to back it up, is in my opinion not on…. It would be like me stating the whole of the army is not combat ready due to the fact that only 10th Para participates in the annual CARAT exercise with the USMC…”
I have not openly stated that the Flankers are non-serviceable or under performing. I have asked the questions. I am looking for the answers. Does anyone have the proof that they are fully serviceable? You yourself have hinted that the aircraft may not have even reached IOC (initial operational capability).
Your analogy is way off. Speculating that the true story behind the Flankers has not been revealed is not the same as speculating that the entire army is not combat ready due to the participation of only one unit in exercises with the USMC. An established relationship has been established between the 10th Para and the USMC. By the way, I do question the combat readiness of the other units, however.
This is my last comment on these matters. IMO we are talking past each other.
FareddLHS,
Thanks for making in it”plain English”……….
Is my analogy ”off” Or are you shooting the wrong calibre and having a problem with the fact I disagree with your flawed analysis or take of the situation?
I’m not saying there there should be no accountability, that the RMN or should RMAF should be above scrutiny or that the public does not have a right to know how their tax rinngits are being spend.
I just find it utterly ludicrous for anyone to even think that the non-partcipation of the Flankers is due to some sinister reason that the RMAF would rather the public not know about or that the fact that I haven’t seen footage of a Scorpene dive is indicative of the fact that they are not operational……
Such questions about the Scorpene have indeed been raised over the years and some folks are still claiming they can’t dive despite both Scorpenes having taken part in 3 exercices the past 18 months………