SHAH ALAM: In the previous post, German Design Out, Malaysian Defence wrote that the stranglehold of the Fassmer design on MMEA is finally over. It started with NGPC – Bagan Datuk class – and it appears NGPC Batch 2 will not follow the same design.
This is because apart from a tender to supply the NGPC Batch 2, the shipyard – that built the Bagan Datuk class boats, according to MMEA director-general Rear Admiral (Maritime) Rosli Abdullah was no longer active. He was met at the MMEA media day on November 9. It must be noted that checks on Destini Bhd website, showed that it still list Destini Armada which according to the company,
The Destini Armada group of companies, which includes Vanguarde and Techno Fibre Group, is able to offer manufacturing and construction services together with maintenance and through-life support for a wide variety of government and commercial vessels. Destini Armada has the capability to construct specialist vessels of up to 100 meters in length as well as manufacture lifeboats and integrated davit systems for government agencies, shipping and offshore industries.
Destini Armada wholly owned Destini Shipbuilding and Engineering Sdn Bhd (DSBE) which was the builder of the Bagan Datuk patrol vessels. The boats were built at the Destination Marine Services Sdn Bhd shipyard in Port Klang. Although not featured on the Destini main website, DSBE page could still be accessed though it must be done directly using its full name on a search engine.
That said Destini is still facing a legal action with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) which want to wind up down DSBE for the failure to pay taxes.
With DSBE not in contention of NGPC Batch 2, it is likely that a new design will be chosen for the project. Rosli, however did not want to go into detail about the project. He said as long as the builder comes up with a boat that match their requirements. He said for example, they need a patrol boat for certain range and speed and the one that matched them will likely be selected.
It must be noted that the infographic posted by MMEA (above) after the 2025 budget was announced revealed that the cost of the two boats at RM160 million meaning each ship will cost RM80 million each.
That said it is likely the new ships will be like the Bagan Datuk class ships which are 44.25 meter in length, a top speed of 24 knots and a range of 2000 nautical miles at 14 knots. It is likely that the new ship will have 41 crew members like the Bagan Datuk class. It is the 41-crew requirement that made the Bagan Datuk class look different from the original design from Fassmer which has a crew of not more than 20. Checks showed that most patrol boats in the same class of Bagan Datuk usually have a crew of below 20.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (52)
Pening betul la bila nak buat kapal di Malaysia ni. Macam2 masalah, setiapnya lain daripada yg sebelum ni. Senang cerita jgn la buat kat Malaysia. Bagi Turki je yg buat dari hull kapal hingga cat kapal tu. Kita cuma hantar wakil utk keel laying dan penyiapan rasmi je.
Oddly isnt Destini just gotten the contract for airborne safety and survival equipment maintenance? Or did they just PN17 the shipyard only? Can another party takeover ie Govt/GLC entity so we could continue building more NGPC?
Sadly this was the last successfully completed shipbuilding project we had and yet this yard did not escape the curse of local build (*looks at LCS & OPV*)
Again our approach of buying small number of assets does not bode well for many companies out there. Destini is publicly owned and not a govt/GLC.
Perdana class FAC has 30 crews
A similar size but longer range and endurance ship designs would be much more appropriate for the current maritime security challenges
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gap2BeXbMAAoSFT?format=jpg&name=large
Yes I know about the FACs crew. And it appears that MMEA is still following the crew size from the past. Even the FCS/PS you posted has a crew of eight with additional facilities for another 10 people. Like RMN, MMEA is still conservative about personnel requirements even though it is still facing challenges in that area. Yes I know about the reliance on automation and the current discussion about having more people on ships - due to the challenges of facing drones airborne and surface ones.
Despite that there are endless droves of companies thinking they can make a quick buck out of this poisoned chalice. No doubts there are some successful ones.
''No doubts there are some successful ones.''
A huge understatement. A long list of companies who wanted to be part of the gravy trail and were awarded contracts but ultimately faced issues [putting it mildly]. The end user had to deal with the mess.
As my previous proposal
1. just pick the best ship design that we need
2. hand over the design and the money to build the ships to PETRONAS
3. PETRONAS to slot-in the build of the ships into its own PROJECT SAFINA shipbuilding programme.
4. Sit back and let PETRONAS expertise in project management and solid list of proven local shipyards to build the ship.
https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2024/03/04/syg-expects-rising-orders-for-osvs
Marhalim,
On another topic. The 1st local agent for the Polish T-72 was a company which is no longer around. DEFTECH at that time partnered with KDMB and offered the T-84. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the 2nd local agent for the PT-91 MMC Engineering?
I cannot remember them anymore apart yes Deftech partnered with KDMB to offer T-84. I remembered it because I had the chance to try out the driver simulator for the T-84.
''As my previous proposal''
Yes but given that it's a route that won't be taken ...
''solid list of proven local shipyards to build the ship.''
Quite a few other local yards which can do the job. Problem is they might not have the political push or backing.
As far as I now DECTECH's the one who handled/handled the PT-91 but MMC Engineering also had a part. At Merdeka 2007 I remember the Poles who were there were wearing ''PT-91'' t-shirts and if I recall correctly it also had a MMC Engineering logo. The T-72 was brought to LIMA 1997 by Anza Warisan the then local agent. Where did you try the T-84 simulator; was it DSA 2002?
BTW did you know that Simon submitted a proposal to the armour Directorate for ex Swiss Panzer 68s? The idea was to fit them with the same sight as on the CV-90. The proposal wasn't met with interest though; for one the tank had a 105mm gun but the idea was for the army to use it as a training platform before transiting to something more contemporary.
Water under bridge really as MMC Engineering was later taken over by DRB-Hicom. I think it was 2002 or 2004. No I did not remember about the Swiss panzers.
Ok. Thanks. That answers my question then. It was MMC Engineering and later Deftech by virtue of taking over MMC Engineering.