SHAH ALAM: CAMM Moving Forward. At the 2017 Merdeka Parade, the RMN showcased some of the missiles in its inventory. Two Exocet missiles – likely to be the MM38 variant – were paraded on a low loader together with a Seawolf and Aspide missiles each. Also displayed was the underwater vehicle for the submarine launch version of the Exocet, the SM-39.
Markings on the Seawolf, Aspide and underwater water vehicle (servicing missile) indicated these were practise rounds used to train crews.
The appearance of the Seawolf however put a spotlight on RMN’s on and off aspiration to recapitalise the surface to air capabilities of the Lekiu class, KD Jebat and KD Lekiu.
I had heard RMN plans to replace the Seawolf for sometime now with the MBDA CAMM as the likeliest replacement. MICA also manufactured by MBDA is also possibility but I was told that it needed more integration work compared to the CAMM.
A survey to determine the technical and other requirements have been conducted I have been told but so far RMN has yet to get the funding for the project.
With money running short and other priorities in hand its goes without saying that recapitalising two 20 year old ships are not on top of the wish list.
Anyhow, CAMM’s principal user, the Royal Navy has conducted the first firing of the missile on Sept. 4. In Royal Navy’s service the CAMM is known as the Sea Ceptor system. The release:
HMS Argyll has successfully conducted the first firings of the Sea Ceptor system, a major milestone for the Royal Navy as it brings its upgraded Type 23 frigates back into service.
The Sea Ceptor system, which utilises MBDA’s next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf weapon system on the Type 23 frigates as part of their life-extension programme. Sea Ceptor will provide improved protection for the Royal Navy against anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft and other highly sophisticated threats.
HMS Argyll is the first Type 23 to undergo the life-extension programme, and will conduct further firing trials of the Sea Ceptor system before returning to frontline service. Sea Ceptor not only provides a robust self-defence capability for the host vessel but importantly also a local area air defence competency to defend consort vessels within a maritime task group.Designed and manufactured by MBDA in the UK, Sea Ceptor will also protect the Royal Navy’s future Type 26 Frigates, and as Land Ceptor will replace Rapier in British Army service. The missile uses innovative technologies that provide significant improvements in performance compared with previous generations of missiles.
Compared to Sea Wolf, CAMM is faster, has longer range, has a two-way data link, and has a much more advanced seeker, all of which enable the missile to intercept more challenging targets.Traditional air defence systems utilise semi-active radar guidance, meaning they rely on a surface-based fire control radar to illuminate the missile’s target. By using an active radar seeker and datalink on the missile CAMM does not require the dedicated fire control radar on which a semi-active system depends. This not only removes cost and weight from the vessel, it makes integration simpler and means that Sea Ceptor can intercept more targets simultaneously, and across 360 degrees – something a semi-active system cannot.
The missile’s clean aerodynamic design provides it with improved performance in the air, while also making it highly compact for installation onboard ship. Moreover Sea Ceptor uses an innovative soft vertical launch system that significantly reduces the impact of a traditional “hot launch” missile on both the ship and the crew.
Besides the Royal Navy and the British Army, CAMM is also the modern air defence weapon of choice for a further four nations’ armed services.
Based on my conversations with the people in the know it is unlikely any funding for the replacement of the Seawolf is expected to be made within the next few years. It will depend on what RMN plan to do with the Lekius within the next few years. More importantly it will depend on the ability of the government to pay for things especially in defence.
— Malaysian Defence
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CAMM is the best Option for RMN. If we get another Batch for LCS. It should be replacing MICA. But is there any options that GAPU will insterested with CAMM Marhalim ?
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None so far AFAIK
For the F2000 corvette of the indonesian navy, their seawolf is also planned to be replaced by mica.
Off topic…
There is a new upgrade for the PT-91 called the PT-91M2
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AFAIK these ships never had the launchers and missiles install on them. Yes we could also install MICA on the Lekius it depends whether or not the RMN thinks it’s the best option. From my understanding and I may well be wrong, no more capital spending on them
Its just a matter of time. There is really no choice as once the Rapiers and Seawolfs retire….they will need to be replaced with something!
By the way, I thought the Aspide was already retired from the Laksamana class corvettes.
Which ship still uses them?
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None
Not surprise by your comment. With limited resources, the focus will be on the LCS, LMS and other programme. The Lekius’ and Kasturis’ will act as bridge until new platform come on stream. After that who knows what will happen to them as they do not fit the 15 to 5 …… maybe they will slowly fade away… The Lekius is still a good ships to have around
@Mirsy:
“The Lekius’ and Kasturis’ will act as bridge until new platform come on stream. After that who knows what will happen to them as they do not fit the 15 to 5 …… maybe they will slowly fade away… ”
Maybe sell them to the Philippine Navy after we have enough LCS and LMS? They could use more ships.
The lekius are still relatively young, but when all 6 SGPV LCS is comiasioned, thwy would be around 25 years old and in need of SLEP. When that time comes, IMO they should be sold off to get the best returns from the ship, in line with the 15 to 5 plan and giving a friendly country a capable asset for their defence.
More off topic…
Canada has sent a team to Australia to look at the possibility of buying retired RAAF Legacy Hornets.
” ” Sept 6 2017. The Canadian government is looking into buying second-hand fighter jets in Australia – instead of a new fleet of 18 Super Hornets – as it tries to force Boeing Co. to drop its trade dispute against Bombardier Inc., sources said.
A Canadian delegation travelled to Australia last month to see whether second-hand F/A-18 fighter jets, which are being placed on the market by the country’s military, could fit Canada’s needs for an “interim” fleet. ” “
It’s a nice thought to have both Landceptor and Seaceptor, but highly unlikely… there are many other things to buy with a far more pressing need.
The Lekius and Kasturis are good missile firing ships which we have a lack of. We shall retained them for as far as we can. Selling them to PHIL is a great lost to us while affecting CHINA relation with us.
Anyway, why are they still displaying missiles that already out of service anyway ie ASPIDE, MM38 Exocet?
CAMM is a good choice. 4 Sea Ceptor missile can fit into 1 Sea Wolf missile space due to the soft lauch feature. It can also be networked with Starstreak SHORAD shall we opt for MR-SAM down the line. Commonality can simplify logistics and bring down cost.
BTW, Najib is going to the White House this Sept. Any juicy news, Marhalim ie M109 or 2nd hand Hornet(not likely) perhaps?
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Nothing AFAIK we will have to wait and see
Out of topic marhalim..
do you have news about our MD-530G..
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None
MM-38 eh? why do we still have that obsolete missile in our inventory, geez..
The live commentary mentioned MM-40 and SM-39 (the broadcast has been uploaded on Youtube).
However the inert rounds may well have not corresponded to those variants.
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I put them as MM38s as these are very similar to the ones used as gate guards inside the Lumut naval base, outside the various commands they have there
I also tersentak when the commentators said “Aspide”. Truly a pointless display in more ways than one.
BTW there is now a submarine launched version of the NSM. Good combo for our scorpenes?
http://www.konflikty.pl/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/sub-nsm-kkongsberg.jpg