SHAH ALAM: KD Kedah 15th anniversary. KD Kedah, the lead ship of the RMN class of ships bearing its name celebrated its 15th anniversary which falls on June 5. The ship was built at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Germany in 2001 and launched in 2003 but the commissioning was delayed until June 5, 2006 due to the financial malfeasance of PSC-NDSB.
The troubles forced the government to turn to Boustead Naval Shipyard, a subsidiary of Boustead Berhad, a state owned company to complete Kedah, its sister ship KD Pahang and four others of the class. Pahang was commissioned in August, 2006 while the rest from June 2009 to December 2010.
And despite all the talk since then for the ships to get their fitted for not equipped with equipment – surface to air and surface to surface missiles – this has never materialised. With the class now already in their mid-life there is still no firm commitment to equip them with these weapons.
Infact, Kedah has already lost its fire control radar – the Oerlikon Contraves TMX/EO X-band with electro-optic fire director – after its last refit in 2020. I had noticed the fire control radar missing from top of the bridge of Kedah since May, last year but opted not to write anything about it as I thought it might be taken off for repairs.
But as off this post was written, Kedah is still missing the FCR as shown by the picture above from its official social media.
I am unsure whether the second of class, KD Pahang, which is currently undergoing refit, will also have its FCR removed as well. Anyhow, industry sources told me that the RMN is preparing for a Kedah class obsolescence programme (OP) which will be somewhat similar to the ones undertaken for the FAC craft fleet.
The Kedah class OP envisaged the replacement of most of the electronic equipment including the FCR, the main radar and also the CMS which were designed some 20 years ago. The OP will likely involved Kedah and Pahang – which have been commissioned for 15 years.
The OP for the rest four ships – KD Perak, KD Terengganu, KD Kelantan and KD Selangor – will commenced once they reached 15 years, in three years time for the first two and four years for the last two. Based on the above these could be done in RMK13 for the first two and RMK13 for the last two, around 2030.
Let’s hope the Kedah Class OP will be funded soon so the lead ship of the class could be refitted with new equipment.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (22)
Interesting..If indeed we cant fit them with that ffbnw stuff at least upgrade their radar,fcr and CMS to make them somewhat relevant..So Mr M..what is your prefered radar,fcr and CMS for this Kedah OP Programme?..Terma Scanter Like on the Lekius? That indian-sourced CMS?
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The Terma Scanter is a navigation radar, it may well be a choice for the OP programme. On the CMS I don't think it will be the Indian derived one though I have no idea which one they want
Mention of the TRS-3D is interesting. Yes it was first produced in the 1990’s but it’s still on offer by the OEM, various upgrades are available and still widely operated. Similarly; we got the DA-08 in the early 1980’s for the Kasturis and 1 1/2 decades (when it was not considered “obsolete”) chose it for the Lekius.
As mentioned by Marhalim in the past; an issue with TRS-3D is the many modes it has and the complexity of choosing the right mode in time. The Danes discovered this many years ago when they were trialing it; in comparison to SMART which they found less complex to use.
On arming the Kedahs I doubt it’s a priority for the RMN at this juncture for the simple reason that doing so would divert resources away from areas of more immediate importance; namely the follow on LMSs. A major problem also is that the B position was designed (space and integration wise) from Day One for RAM.
If indeed the radar need to be replaced, I would suspect the Thales NS100 as used by SG's LMV would be choose. They aquired it for USD8 million each based on what SIPRI. But I would suspect RMN will kept the TRS-3D and do overhaul/upgrade on it. For fire control, assuming that the Kedah wont ever get any RAMs, GEM Elettronica EOFCS115A would likely to be the choice as Laksamana's were upgraded with them. For CMS, that would definitely be Vibrant 01 currently installed on KD Jebat as it was to eqiupe next batch LMS too. Its a bummer RMN didnt fully equipt the Kedahs. Hopefully the newer LMS would be fully fitted out from the start.
As the first two ships have reached its mid life upgrade line , its good time to update it eith all the weapins its supposed to be equipped with. Its the cheapest n fastest means to strengthen the TLDM
Lee - “Its the cheapest n fastest means to strengthen the TLDM”
That’s one school of thought. Another is that arming the Kedahs means diverting resources which can be used for other more critical areas including replacing some other stuff (on other platforms) which will time expire soon.
Luqman - “a bummer RMN didnt fully equipt the Kedahs”
For a number of years the RMN did seek to but failed to convince the bean counters. Now it simply isn’t an immediate priority as the cash can be put to better use elsewhere.
Correct me if i am wrong. Without the FCR, how do they guide the 76mm gun to its targets? Especially for last ditch anti air role since they are not equipped with anti air missiles to begin with or surface target
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I believe the main radar has that capability
New Generation Patrol Vessel....a sad story of Malaysia local military industry development.
csl - “Especially for last ditch anti air role”
Whether it’s for a “last ditch” engagement or otherwise; all main naval guns need some form of fire control; as you alluded to.
Without a director or some other form of control; it simply can’t be operated; unlike the Bofors Mk1s which have provision for it to be manually operated.
Just I want to know, it's RMN is costal navy or blue water navy?
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Why? Is
Fitted for but forever not with
FFBFNW