SHAH ALAM: Mini CMS for FAC fleet. The Defence Ministry has issued a request for bids for the procurement of “mini”Combat Management System (mini CMS) for RMN’s fleet of 14 fast attack craft. The RMN currently operates 14 FACs – six Jerong class, four Perdana class and four Handalan class boats. The FACs mostly purchased in early/late 1970s, the Perdanas from France, Handalans from Sweden and the Jerong were built locally by Hong Leong Lurrsen shipyard in Butterworth.
KD Gempita, a Handalan class FAC during operations in early 2016. RMN picture
The Jerong were classified as FAC-G (Skuadron 6 FAC) as it was not armed with missiles, only the 57mm (forward) and 40mm (aft) guns while the Perdana and Handalan(Skuadron 2) were classified as FAC-M as the boats were armed with the MBDA Exocet MM38 anti-surface missiles, apart from the 57mm (forward) and 40mm guns (aft).
KD Ganyang, the fourth boat of the Perdana class FAC. TLDM
An earlier story on the mini CMS from 2019.
KD Paus, one of the six Jerong class FAC. TLDM
The RMN had been trying to upgrade the FACs since four years ago as it was obvious that they were not getting any new vessels to replace them and most of the equipment on board are already obsolete. Work to replace the engines on board (described as repowering by RMN and tendered separately) on the FACs had already started with the first FAC to be equipped with new engines -three Cummins engines – (KD Baung) has already returned to service.
An undated picture of Handalan class FACs when they were still armed with the Exocets.
As the tender for the mini-CMS has only been issued in mid-July, it is likely Baung and KD Ganas (the second ship undergoing the change of engines) will have to go back into the yard to get the new equipment once the winning bidder have been selected.
KD Ganas, a Jerong class FAC. RMN
RMN had persisted in upgrading the FACs as the ships -as mentioned in the DWP 2019 – will remained in service for another 15 years. Based on the specification listed on the tender documents that I could accessed stated that the mini-CMS must be developed, especially the software, locally. The documents even specified that the EPF membership of the people involved in the developing the software for the CMS be listed in the bidding documents. This is likely in response to the locally-developed CMS on the Lekiu.
RMN and Stride will also work with the winning bidder for the development and integration of the mini CMS.
An undated picture of the Jerong class FACs.
The mini CMS must operate with three multi-function consoles – one for the commanding officer – and a large display for the operations room. The bidder can select the Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and its controller from foreign manufacturers though RMN will have the final say in the selection of it.
KD Jerong, the lead ship of the 6th Squadron FAC (G). RMN
The EOTS will allow the remote control of the 57mm gun only. The mini-CMS will also need to be integrated with the legacy navigation radars and other equipment of the FACs.
— Malaysian Defence
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Well as at least the Mk1s won’t have to be operated manually anymore - unless the ship is moving slowly and sea conditions are not rough it’s practically impossible to hit anything. It’s also very hot inside; there’s only a blower.
The RMN - out of necessity - has no choice but to continue operating them but everything depends on the condition of the hulls.
At least we have a good news for our FAC fleet.. (after the LCS things ~sigh~) thank god.
If I'm not mistaken Laksamana-class also planned to receive new equipment right? Something like eletronic things (maybe eots or cms or tracking device, cmiiw) but I can't recall.
Before we discuss further on the mini-cms.
The 4x GEM Eletronica EO FCS is installed in which ships? I heard that it will be installed on the Kedah's, but from recent pictures of kedah class ships i have not seen the EO FCS.
The repowering with cunmins engine. KD Ganas repowering is with 4x cummins engine, to be completed next month by Shin Yang Shipyard in Miri. KD Baung repowering with 3x cummins engine was done at Weldan Marine in Sandakan. Both ships are also fitted with 3x cummins gensets.
It looks like the mini cms is to be based on the one fitted to the Jebat. It is said that the cms in the Jebat is uo to the job, but does not have a big growth potential.
If the ships are to be repowered and fitted with a mini-cms, this will mean that all 14 will soldier on for quite sometime into the future.
Then there is the fate of the laksamanas. I have heard conflicting stories on those ships. Some say that it is to be retired once the LMS are inducted, while others say that they are to be retained due to LCS delays. But from the ops benteng pictures, it can be seen that all 4 laksamana corvettes are operational.
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Not it won't be the CMS installed on the KD Lekiu will be fitted on the FACs. Even though the CMS on the Lekiu is said to be developed by a local company, the software is sourced from an Indian company.
Hope this will not bring any delay. RMK12 will delay, all national development n defense plan go to unknown...
... - “. Some say that it is to be retired once the LMS are inducted””
Indeed. That was the original plan. Despite being younger than the FACs their hulls are not in great shape.
.... - “while others say that they are to be retained due to LCS delays”
Part of the reason to justify their purchase was delivery delays with the Lekius.
..., - “res, it can be seen that all 4 laksamana corvettes are operational””
All are operational. Their operational status was not the issue but the fact at one period; almost nothing on them was operational due to support/age issues; not the CMS, radar, directors, etc. The joke amongst crews was the class should be redesignated FAC (G) to signify that at one point only the GPMGs were operable.
... ive seen one of the laksmana's up close in the waters off kelanang, Selangor. Shes been operating there since a few weeks ago. My boat were inspected by paskal members operating rhibs. Using the laksamana's as mother ships. The news going around ist hat they are guarding a group of cruise liners anchored near by. Ive counted 6 of them. Dont know which country they belong to.
"though RMN will have the final say in the selection of it"
Now this is the way that LCS (and any other procurement/tender) should go but sighhh.....
Kudos to RMN on upgrading Jebat and FACs.
If the locally developed CMS is good enough for Laksamanas, why can't for the sake of commonality and support, these simpler FACs use the same CMS? Why is TLDM reinventing the wheel when the wheel is right in front of them? If the CMS in FACs can be adapted to 'talk' with the CMS in Laksamanas and on to Maharajalelas the situational awareness and potency of weapons at max ranges could make these FACs far more useful than they ever had been in their lives. TLDM must stop making things difficult for themselves.
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What CMS is on the Laksamanas? There is no locally developed CMS fitted apart from KD Lekiu and even that locally developed CMS term is questioned by many
@Marhalim
Yeah sorry, I was referring KD Lekiu. IMHO there are no 'nationality' to software. Even with Windows 10 originated from USA(Microsoft) but it is coded by an international team of software developers.
While the source code for Vibrant 1 CMS might have developed in India, it is up to our local boys to reprogram it to suit our needs. They still have to put in the hard effort and make it work so I don't see why we should be ashamed of that. Or do you think having India mari software coders doing their work here is considered 'local' enough?
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I think the issue with the Lekiu one was that it was touted to be a completely locally developed one.
I also have doubt on the Indian make CMS. They have a lot IT expert but....... it will not well work on reality. Is good to build locally and build up the industry but if the local company do not put in necessary effort and the project management still so poor. It will only a disaster. Simple to say we can build a ship and we capable to build a ship but we do not know how to control and manage our resources and money. It will still the same.