SHAH ALAM: The Defence Ministry has issued a tender for the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of a fire control radar (FCR) KD Perak pennant number 173, the third ship of the Kedah class.
The tender was published on October 10 and closes on November 11, according to the notice on the Eperolehan website. According to the tender publication, the RMN estimates that the cost of the FCR and services (installation, testing and commissioning) at RM15 million.
Work to install the FCR will be conducted at the Kota Kinabalu naval base or other location as specified by the RMN. It is interesting to note that KD Kedah pennant number 171 is the only ship without the FCR after it was taken off during her last refit.
Based on the specifications listed below, the new FCR should also be equipped with an electro-optical turret apart from the radar just like the Rheinmetall TMX/EO FCR currently fitted onboard
the Kedah class. It must be noted that the MK 2 version of the FCR had been selected for installation on the LCS.
The specifications for the new FCR (edited for brevity):
To supply, deliver, install, integrate, test and commission new Fire Control Radar (FCR) for KD PERAK.
Justifications. The current FCR, TMX/EO by Rheinmetall has been installed onboard since year 2006. Spare part required for maintenance are costly and longer lead time due to system aging.
76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) Medium Range Gun OTO MELARA installed onboard has limited firing operational through Target Designation Sight (TDS) and without FCR for CMS. As a means of
identification, ship crews unable to verify the targets beyond visibility.
The new FCR shall enable the ship to identify and engage surface and air targets effectively. It shall also able to acquire, track and deliver target track data for track assignment to available weapon control systems.
Quantity Required. One (1) complete system.
The system shall be able to function as new FCR and
configured for the following tasks:
Primary task. Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Naval Gunfire Support
(NGS) and Surveillance.
Supporting task. Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) and situational awareness.
The complete system shall consist of but not limited to
following items: Tracker Mount. Processing Unit. Man Aloft Switch. Data
Communication. Operating System. Special Tools.
Mandatory. The complete system shall consist of but not limited to
following items: Tracker Mount Radar Frequency: X-Band (Nato I/J –
band). Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW). Channels of
Frequencies: Multi Frequency Tracking Range: At least 30 km. Azimuth
Coverage: 360o continuous rotation. Elevation Coverage: -22o to +80o.
Modern solid-state technology. It shall be fitted with existing platform.
Electro – Optics Tracking Range: At least 20 km High-Definition Camera
TV (Daylight colour Observation, Surveillance and Track Tracking).
Focusing mode (Auto and Manual) and shall be able to control by CMS
console. Provided with continuous optical zoom lens and digital zooming
capabilities. Modern solid-state technology. Tracking Capability for
surface and air target shall hold and track contact for firing purpose.
Laser Range Finder Laser Safety Class: Not more than Class 2 (Eye
Safe). Mode: Auto and Manual for target tracking. Target Range: At least
15 km.
High-Definition Infrared (IR) Tracker Camera (Night Vision, Thermal
Imaging and Track Tracking) Output: Digital.
Equipped with contrast, brightness and autofocus control capabilities.
Wave length not less than 3 to 5 µm spectral band.
Type: Cooled detector.
Range Detection: At least 20 km with minimum target size 5 m2.
Resolution: At least 640 x 512 pixels.
Tracking Capability: Shall hold and track contact for firing purpose.
Detection, Recognition Identification: It shall comply with STANAG 4347
(NATO Standardization Agreement: Definition of Nominal Static Range
Performance for Thermal Imaging Systems).
High-Definition Camera TV (Daylight Observation, Surveillance and
Track Tracking) Focusing mode (Auto and Manual) and shall be able to
control by CMS console.
Provided with continuous optical zoom lens and digital zooming
capabilities.
Tracking Capability: Shall hold and track contact for firing purpose.
Range Detection: At least 20 km with minimum target size 5 m2.
Able to send data and video to CMS.
Able to provide analysis and processing of video stream generated by TV
and IR Camera.
Able to provide video processing functionality that supports the various
surveillance and engagement function.
Able to interface with existing CMS and controlled by CMS console.
Able to interface with existing Inertial Navigation System.
Able to interface with existing Meteorological System.
Based on the above it is likely that once the new FCR has been selected and installed successfully the RMN will issue another tender to supply the same equipment for the other five ships or at least a variation order to supply another one for Kedah, at least.
The specifications also does not bode well for earlier proposals to upgrade the firepower of the Kedah-class with missiles, surface to surface or surface to air. I stand to be corrected of course.
— Malaysian Defence.
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View Comments (73)
Its okay.
Just let the kedahs be pure OPVs. After TLDM get their LCS Gowinds, the Kedahs is best passed on to APMM.
The Kedah and the DAMEN 1800 OPV of APMM is almost similar in size to each other.
If taking UNCLOS Law into consideration, the ideal response to China Coast Guard encroachment into Zon Maritim Malaysia is using APMM coast guard ships. So the Kedahs is better painted white rather than stay in grey.
The exact playbook now being played by china, transferring many PLAN frigates and corvettes to the chinese coast guard.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLzZnQ0VUAEtwQi.jpg
.... - “Just let the kedahs be pure OPVs”
Ok but what pray tell actually constitutes a “pure OPV”? One which has a 3D radar; two directors; an”obstacle avoidance sonar”; help landing system; plus a list of other things normally not find on nocturnal other “OPVs”. Also, if the RMN actually is able to stand the class at a later date; in your book will the class still be a “pure OPV” or will be be a “light frigate”?
... - “ the Kedahs is best passed on to APMM”
Sounds great on paper [like many things{ in actual reality the MMEA would say “no thank you”. If you ask why; I’ll again point that that operating costs will be an issue; the MMEA already has a huge footprint on account of the hodgepodge of stuff operated and that by the time the RMN is willing to hand over the class it will be somewhat aged..
Also, even after the RMN gets the LCS the reality is that it will not be in a position to hand the Kedahs to anyone; for the simple reason that the service needs a certain number of hulls.
.... - “ taking UNCLOS Law into consideration, the ideal response to China Coast Guard encroachment into Zon Maritim Malaysia is using APMM coast guard ships. So the Kedahs is better painted white rather than stay in grey”
“So” the government should commit to ensuring the MMEA has a certain level of sustained funding to progressively add to the number of assets it needs; as well as expanding/improving the shore support infrastructure needed to absorb all these new assets and increasing the operational budget.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/lcs-cost-is-higher/#comment-878265
For our day to day peacetime maritime security, we need to empower APMM to take this up as its primary task.
This is TLDM 2023 allocation
2023 OE – RM1.531 billion
2023 DE – RM1.7009 billion
APMM 2023 allocation
2023 OE – RM0.6231 billion
2023 DE – RM0.719 billion
IMO a APMM OE of around RM1.2 billion, and DE 0f RM0.8 billion would be good to fulfil its operational obligations and to have its needed fleet of 20 large OPVs even by 2030. RM0.8 billion DE annually 2024-2030 (7 years) is about RM5.6 billion. Even if only half of DE is to buy OPVs, that is about USD600 million available. That is enough to buy 10-12 more brand new large OPVs by 2030. Add that to getting used OSVs, additional used OPVs from Japan etc. the target for 20 large OPV can be met by 2030.
Current APMM large OPV fleet
2 Ex Musytari OPV
2 Ex japan OPV
3 DAMEN 1800 OPV
Selected new OPV costs
DAMEN 1800 OPV (83m) – USD61 mil
Vikram class OPV India (97m) – USD30 mil
Tae Pyung Yang Class OPV Korea (115m) – USD55 mil (latest ship pennant no. 3016 cost)
Marhalim,
With the expected delay of the LCS build or perhaps the project entirely go south, does it still make sense to "upgrade the firepower" of some of the Kedahs? What would it take for the Navy to convince PMX to take on this route? Personally, with no definitive answer from the current fiasco, I would see the LCS as a backup build for the Navy and the LMS Batch 2 and up arm of some of the Kedahs as a priority.
I think the RMN with its experience with the Kedah class clearly do not think its viable to upgrade the ship's firepower. Otherwise it would have done so back in 2019.
There should be a surplus fcr since lcs has been reduce to 5. The fcr for the 6th ship can be transfer to kd kedah.
IF there is a surplus, they will not run a tender for it. Perhaps, they do not want another Rheinmetall product, actually.
...
Are the former Marikhs still in service?
Barely
Ed - ''With the expected delay of the LCS build or perhaps the project entirely go south''
I fail to see how it might ''go south''. There's just too much invested in it; hard cash and politics.
Ed - ''the LMS Batch 2 and up arm of some of the Kedahs as a priority.''
I'd like to see how the LS Batch 2s are equipped. A 57mm instead of a 30mm? At least 4 ASNS rather than 2? A integrated V-SHORADS mount instead of a VLS? A VLS with a ridiculously small number of actual loads?
We also have to take into consideration that the RMN has a number of things which will be in need of replacement in the near future on account of support issues. The fact that we acquired 3 AW139s but in turn had to place into storage a pair of Lynxs is telling.
@ azlan
"are former marikhs still in service?"
KM Banggi personnel is still active on FB, although the ship itself is currently in Shin Yang Shipyard in Miri since June 2022
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8M1kIWbkAAyFiu.jpg
KM Langkawi is now in GOM Shipyard Setiawan since June 2023
You can track most of APMM ship whereabouts with AIS. BTW on AIS the DAMEN 1800 OPV name is set as KM Tun Fatimah.
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For like a decade here, i have been fairly consistant with my opinion on what would be the best solution for malaysian maritime security picture.
- a leaner TLDM (smaller than that is originally planned in 15 to 5) that is focused on combat capability and deterrence, with submarines as its primary tip of the spear.
- a better equipped and funded APMM as the primary service to handle day to day maritime security during peacetime.
And that is stil my opinion the best path forward that we can undertake.
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A new tweet by MINDEF. ATM akan distruktur semula sebagai sebuah angkatan masa depan? What will that mean? Will it remain just a jumble of bombastic words or will it have a clear achievable new masterplan complete with allocated budget?
https://twitter.com/MINDEFMalaysia/status/1711982330787901520
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I have no idea why i cannot reply to ppl talking to me in the PAC report topic.
Too many links
Hulubalang - “ taking UNCLOS Law into consideration, the ideal response to China Coast Guard encroachment into Zon Maritim Malaysia is using APMM coast guard ship.
While our CG like that of our neighbours are established in the 2000s on the request of Japan in hope to manage what then would be potential conflicts with PRC along these countries SLC grey. It's doesn't seem to be working as PRC doesn't really wanna it the flashpoint to remains grey & established the world largest navy as well as having their CG sit under military supervision.