SHAH ALAM: AIRBUS Defence and Space Spexer 2000 Coastal AESA radar has been selected as part of a new Coastal Surveillance System (CSS) in the AOR of ESSCOM in eastern Sabah. The new radar will complement the current CSS 1206 radars, according to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein today.
The CSS 1206 is of course the radar system which was given as a grant by the United States in 2006. Hence it is designated the 1206. For more on the CSS 1206 go here.
The CSS 1206 radars have a range of 20km while the new Spexer radar range is up to 40km. However, Hishammuddin who released the details of the new radar in a press release, did not revealed when the new system will become operational.
The new Spexer radars which will be funded by Petronas, according to Hishammuddin are part of the on-going programme to enhance the security of eastern Sabah following the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion.
According to Airbus, the SPEXER radars are the first operational land-based surveillance radars worldwide using Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology as well as innovative Digital Beam Forming (DBF) technology benefiting from our experience gained in the military sector.
As for the Spexer 2000 Coastal, the company stated that the high-performance coastal surveillance radar for the automatic detection, classification and tracking of sea, ground and low-flying air targets up to 40 km (24.9 mi; 21.6 NM) – even under extreme climatic conditions. Developed for the specific requirements of security scenarios with asymmetric threats.
Detection Ranges:
Swimmer (0.1 m² RCS): 1 km (0.5 NM)
Small boat, rubber dinghy, jet ski (1.5 m² RCS): 20 km (10.8 NM)
Pedestrian (0.5 m² RCS): 18 km (11.2 mi)
Light vehicle (2.0 m² RCS): 22 km (13.7 mi)
Truck (10.0 m² RCS): 36 km (22.4 mi)
Vessel, large boat (100 m² RCS): 40 km (21.6 NM)
Light aircraft (3.0 m² RCS): 27 km (16.8 mi)
Low-level helicopter (5.0 m² RCS): 36 km (22.4 mi)
UAV (0.2 m² RCS): 9 km (5.6 mi)
Among the others items being funded by Petronas for the ESSCOm – which was created following the incursion – are two sea bases. One of the sea bases is a decommissioned oil rig designated as Pengkalan Laut Tun Sharifah Rodziah and Pengkalan Laut Tun Azizan, a converted former cargo ship. Hishammuddin visited the Tun Sharifah Rodziah today.
Both sea bases have been operational since May. They served as the forward operational bases for units involved in operations to prevent incursions from southern Philippines, from smugglers to terrorists.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (34)
The converted oil platforms. What is it equiped with?. Any radars , self defence weapons n how many personnels woyld be quartered there?. How about patrol boats. How many would be allotted to the base?
I don't understand why is those 2 sea bases are called "pengkalan laut"? Our leaders forgot that we have a monarchy or what? Ships and naval bases are always prefixed with KD, kapal diraja. Why isn't those two sea bases a KD too?
Reply
Simply because both sea bases belongs to Markas Angkatan Bersama or Joint Force Headquarters. MAB has no naming convention AFAIK. Probably if the power that be decides in the future that it will become RMN asset the KD prefix may be bestowed.
...,
Probably because its an ex oil platform and it's not moving?
Can anyone please tell me what the two bases are really for?1.A forward base for patrol boats to operate from or 2. An early warning anti-pirate platforms or 3.A combination of both? From what I can see there's no berth for any boats except if they are thinking of using the winch to bring the boats onto the deck!By right they should have design something similar to those mechanical slides that the British's Lifeboat Service (RNLI) are using along their coast.
Reply
They are supposed to be the forward base for all the above you mentioned. Yes it does look awkward to use as a forward operational base as the working area is much too high from the sea surface. It was not an idea from the RMN, which wanted the use of converted cargo ships.
From the look of it, I guess the height of the platform is adjustable depending on the sea level, and maybe for security reason the platform is elevated to a certain height thus making it difficult for enemies to infiltrate. And as a military installation, it should be heavily fortified 360 degree. It would be very interesting if we could have some info on their armament.
Fird,
There will be no need for the oil rigs to be armed with anything heavy. Probably the only arms on board will be small arms. It's not as if the kidnappers/bandits/militants are going to attack them. Their aim is to get in our waters, grab a hostage and get out as soon as they can (for monetary gain (including to support syabu addiction); to avoid trouble, not to seek it (like the LTTE's Sea Tigers).
Reply
The sea base are fitted with pintle mounts for HMG and GPMG
Is this base cater for ELINT/SIGINT installation?
Reply
Most likely, it's one of the things not talked about in an open forum.
Need more pictures in the post marhalim, cuz people dont seem to know the facility had a floating dock, weapons mount and radar (based on the comments)
Though the pics can be easily viewed on those local defence fb pages posted yesterday..
If you blow up (no pun intended) the picture, you'll see a sort of floating dock with figures on it. The helipad can take a 10-tonne heli, I think, seeing it's ex-Petronas. Makes sense to station a naval heli there too.
This base needs to be defended, that's a basic requirement for all MAF bases/camps, more so for one in an ops area. hence GPMG/HMG, minimum. Small arms won't do. They'll probably need to watch the water near the legs for swimmers.
Hope the food's good like on Petronas rigs.
One more thing,the Ministry people doesn't need to named these structures after some people's name. I wouldn't like to see this caption 'Pirates attack Tuan Sharifah Rodziah' on the front page of any newspapers in the future. Just call it Foward Tactical Base 'Gempur' or something like that!Just my opinion! I would like to keep it simple.