SHAH ALAM: Even though she was not handed over to the APMM on November 27, PCU Tun Fatimah took part in some portions of the current Eksesais Maritim Perkasa Barat. According to APMM release (below) Tun Fatimah will take part for four days in the exercise, from November 28 to December 1 (today).
I was told Tun Fatimah was supposed to start her shakedown cruise during the exercise – scheduled from November 26 to December 3 – but this was scrubbed following the decision to delay her handing over, originally scheduled on November 27. Note the opening ceremony of the exercise was held on November 26 while the sea portion only started a day later.
Her handing over is scheduled within the next two weeks, Malaysian Defence was told.
𝗢𝗣𝗩𝟭 𝗨𝗝𝗜 𝗞𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗨𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗠 𝗘𝗞𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗠 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧
.
𝗣𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗨 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗚, 𝟯𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 – Kapal Peronda Luar Persisir Pertama (OPV1) turut berada di dalam kelompok 15 buah Kapal Maritim (KM) milik Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (Maritim Malaysia) sempena Eksesais Maritim Perkasa Barat 2023.
Ketua Pengarah Maritim Malaysia, Laksamana Maritim Datuk Hamid Mohd Amin berkata, pihak TH Heavy Engineering Berhad (THHE) kini sedang melakukan fasa sea trial terhadap OPV1 dan ia kini belayar memasuki kawasan Pulau Pinang bersama-sama kapal lain.
Katanya lagi, penyertaan kapal berkenaan dalam eksesais yang dilaksanakan oleh Agensi ini adalah bertepatan dengan matlamat bagi menguji kemampuan sepenuhnya OPV1 sebelum ia diserahkan secara rasmi kepada Maritim Malaysia.
Tambah beliau, kapal yang berada dalam fasa sea trial itu bakal diuji selama empat hari bermula 28 November hingga 1 Disember dengan menempuh jarak sepanjang 630 batu nautika perairan Selat Melaka bermula dari Pelabuhan Klang dan akan tiba di Pulau Langkawi.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika melakukan lawatan kerja di atas KM Pekan bagi memantau kesiagaan semua kapal dan anggota-anggota penguat kuasa yang terlibat dalam Eksesais Maritim Perkasa Barat 2023.
Pictures of Tun Fatimah during her exercise revealed that most of the external equipment – interceptor boats and others including the Aselsan SMASH 30mm RWS – had been installed. Tun Fatimah has also two navigational radars, two satellite domes and an electro-optical turret/sight fitted on top of its mast.
The EO turret/sight looked very similar to the one fitted on the Aselsan SMASH 30mm RWS. Aselsan brochure on the SMASH stated that EO sight has thermal/tv cameras and a laser range finder. Indeed, it is likely the same EO turret/sight on the RWS as checks showed that the one on the mast is also sourced from Aselsan.
This is interesting as even the senior service had opted for EO turret/sight from China for its FAC fleet due to budgetary limitations.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (10)
Aselsan SMASH is one of the cheapest 30mm RCWS out there.
Croatia bought 5 of them for just USD4.56 million.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/2015/04/08/turkeys-aselsan-to-supply-weapon-system-to-croatia
It uses the same ammo as the 30mm Gempita (30x173mm).
Chinese RCWS for example, uses 30mm ammo similar to SU-30MKM cannons (30x165mm)
TLDM MSI DS30B uses yet another different type of 30mm ammo (30x170 RARDEN)
PS.
Please let me reply to Kel on the LMS-X cost...
It is interesting to note that APMM went to Lumut naval base to pick up the 30mm ammo (from pictures its training rounds) for Tun Fatimah trial. It may well be they stored their ammo there as the base has a large ammo storage facility and even a separate jetty for them. It is likely that the ammo belonged to APMM and kept there for convenience as it does not have the facility to keep big calibre ammunition.
"It uses the same ammo as the 30mm Gempita (30x173mm)"
This could also be a reason why ASELSAN SMASH was chosen over the MSI mount. The x173mm round is NATO standardized as STANAG 4624.
Marhalim, any more updates on the cutter donation?
No
If it is really the same EO/FCS as mounted on the SMASH, the system is ASELSAN High Accuracy Stabilized Gimbal (HASG)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAP1Uzua0AEkiHi.jpg
Nice findings. Tho it can be a bit confusing if both share the same armoury since LCS MSI guns have a different 30mm calibre and both arent interchangeable. But at same time its also good to know that TDM Gempita 30mm can make use these ammo in case of exigencies.
I am pretty sure the RMN people in the armoury will know which ammo and for what gun. Moreover the boxes will have markings.
If both types withdraw at the same time :sweat: haha.
Honestly seen this happen when medication was given in groups and some took the wrong one when not bothered to check.
In future, I hope TLDM would in time replace those MSI RARDEN guns with Nato standard Bushmaster Mk44 similar to the SMASH & Gempita guns, while keeping the MSI mount & sensor.
A fun fact I just found. Apparently the MSI 30mm mounts for LCS are using the NATO calibre Bushmaster MK44 so it can actually share ammo with MMEA Aselsan SMASH, BUTTT NOT the MSI 30mm mounts on Lekius, Kasturis & Gagahs which is from older variant using Oerlikon 30mm calibre rounds.
@ joe
Until i see the actual RCWS on the Gowinds, i will not be so sure. I have not seen any solid notes on this, mentioning that they will be the DS30M, instead of what on the current ships that is the DS30B.