SHAH ALAM: Despite Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Mas Emieyarti Samsudin statement last month that the committee was shocked and worried about the delays into the LCS, it appears that it was much ado about nothing.
The PAC report which was made public today revealed that the LCS project had incurred an 86-day delay. It is an accumulative delay which meant it covered the whole project and it is does not involved any critical or vital issues.
And despite the delays, the first ship – PCU Maharaja Lela – is expected to be put into water (downslip) on schedule this May. That said, it a slight delay might occur. The ministry, according to secretary-general DS Isham Ishak will ensure that the rest of the schedule from harbour trials (late 2024), sea acceptance (mid 2025) and commissioning (August 2026) will follow the 24 month schedule as contracted in the sixth supplementary contract (SSC).
Isham also said after several meetings with the Attorney General Chambers over the SSC, it was decided that the Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) has been dropped from the scope of the contract and will be included a separate deal instead. The SSC now include the progress payment plan, detailed design dan Liquidated Ascertained Damage (LAD). The ILS if included in the contract, meant that Lunas will get the MRO contract for the five ships, worth billions of ringgit. The AGC had made reservations over the SSC, as reported in the previous PAC reports.
During the proceedings, it was stressed that the cost of building the ships had been fixed at RM11.1 billion. And since the project had restarted the total amount of money paid is RM7.01 billion.
It must be said that the PAC still voiced it concerns:
Kelewatan pembinaan LCS selama 86 hari perlu dipandang serius MINDEF/TLDM/BNS dan PAC mahu tindakan segera diambil bagi memastikan pelaksanaan projek mengikut Jadual Garis Masa Baharu Projek LCS yang ditetapkan. Ia termasuk mematuhi piawaian antarabangsa seperti mendapatkan kelulusan penuh detailed design daripada pihak Naval Group Perancis.
In the proceeding on January 24, apart from Isham, Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd CEO Azhar Jumaat and RMN LCS project director First Admiral Franklin Jeyasekhar Joseph also testified.
During the proceedings, Joseph confirmed some of the delays were due to RMN itself not approved some design changes, one of which involved the lighting for the helicopter deck.
Yang dalam konteks design yang 216 ini, ini lebih kepada aktiviti design yang dilakukan oleh Limbungan sendiri. Ini bukannya aktiviti pengesahan design authority. So, the 216 ini adalah activities dalam jadual yang telah pun tersenarai tetapi Limbungan belum berjaya siapkan lagi. So, ini contoh… [Merujuk pada slaid pembentangan] Kita nak pasang lampu. So, sarung untuk lampu itu ada design dia. So, design untuk sarung lampu itu belum disiapkan. Contoh ya. So, these are the kind of activities yang kita track on the ground-lah.
Contoh-contoh aktiviti design yang masih lagi tidak boleh ditutup dan diselesaikan ini melibatkan beberapa aktiviti, sebagai contoh Yang Berbahagia Laksamana maklum tadi tentang contohnya kedudukan lampu untuk menerima pendaratan helikopter di mana masih lagi sedang dibincangkan dengan pengguna dan juga operator helikopter di Markas Udara TLDM. Ia dijangka tidak akan beri impak yang besar atau affecting the critical path of the project which kita now mengambil sedikit masa untuk memberikan isu-isu itu diperhalusi dengan lebih mendalam. Sebagai contoh yang lain juga ialah seperti kedudukan peralatan yang tidak vital di bilik-bilik, di kamar dan juga keluasan untuk melaksanakan senggaraan selanjutnya
Unfortunately, this time around the PAC did not include the briefing slides (above, an old one) put up during the proceedings in the public report. If you want to read the report, please go to the Parlimen webpage here.
It is interesting to note that even after all this years that some of the changes being asked by the RMN team involved menial stuff – switches location and heights, carpet thickness and furniture – something which should have been taken care off by 2019, the actual date for the handing over and commissioning of the ship. It may be menial but goes to show that the Maharaja Lela was never supposed to be in service by 2019.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (55)
From this gantt chart
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PAC4.jpeg
if we do want the 6th LCS to be build, the latest decision-making window/gate would be by late 2026. This will allow smooth continuation between downslip of LCS4 and LCS5 (remember the shipyard could build 2 ships at a time, so downslipping LCS4 would allow the workforce to then switch to assembling the LCS6).
The budget to assemble the 6th LCS could then be paid for in RMK13 2026-2030 if there is no more budget for it in RMK12 2021-2025.
Its ok, whatever it is its Zahid Hamidi's fault
its Najib fault lah.
Well that's our local boys designing a warship for you (not doing job on time as per reported in the 1st PAC report)...sorry but not so sorry. What I meant is such things should be used back from the original Gowind design, if indeed need to be redesign, it should have been completed earlier.
Why is the RMN having issues with such menial decisions? Change in RMN project team members, ego, nothing better to do, or not seeing the forest for the trees?
Those menial items may be inconsequential but it is an important thing to do it right as the sailors need to spend their time on board the ships.
Just wondering...our navy not interested with soon to be retire Aussie Anzac Class ship?
AFAIK, nope. Anyhow, the ships will only be retired, at the earliest, in 2030.
Understand but how difficult is it to finalise the requirements? The process for finalising those menial items should be equally menial? If such menial design choices also cannot settle, what about the more important design choices?
"some of the delays were due to RMN itself not approved some design changes"
This is what happens when you do inhouse own design and let the user go crazy with what they want. If it were a off the shelf Gowind, nothing can be change and build would have proceeded far smoother.
An 86 day delay is not insignificant as it is nearly 3 months backlog so how will it jive with launch timeline as said by the Admiral?
It is expected when the rmn did not get what it wants it wilm throw a tantrum and this & that not right & not to their liking. It is politic. Yes they are the end user but since this project already got delayed many times, the rmn should ease some of their preferences. The priority is to get the ship completed asap. These all not good sign
@Hulubalang
"The budget to assemble the 6th LCS could then"
Rather than spend money on the 6th LCS, we must use that money to buy 8-11x Korean HDP3000 OPV for MMEA. Then magically MMEA can operate up to 12-14 large OPV by 2030 *sarcastic. Then we can have 5x LCS, 3x LMS2 and MMEA have 14 OPV by 2030 *sarcastic, equipment bought for LCS6 can pass to 1 of the LMS2. As said by Hulubalang, MMEA need a lot more OPV, more important than RMN's LMS2 to counter China's coast guard. Instead of canceling 3x LMS2 lets just cancel LCS6 and transfer RMN sailors and RMN OPEX budget to MMEA + more recruits within 5 years
The Gowind LCS will be much more capable and armed than anything we can fit those LMS Batch 2 Corvette with the small USD175 million budget per ship that is allocated.
Malaysian Coast Guard aka APMM can perfectly buy OPVs like HDP-3000 with its own budget if only it can be put under a more proper ministry other than KDN.
My ideal TLDM plan is this :
My plan is to create a well rounded, balanced capability navy that could give a meaningful contribution to any mission that would involve Malaysian interests.
So my proposed TLDM fleet by 2040
– 6x Scorpene Evolved Li-Ion SSK
– 6x Gowind 3100 Frigate
– 4x Arrowhead 140 Frigate
– 24x LMS-X FCS5009 with surface missile module of 12x Cakir SSM & 24x HELLFIRE MMR
– 3x OSV 70-80m for MCM mothership, SF support, SUB tender/support, UAS support, pipeline undersea cable security/surveillance
– 2x AOR based on the STM Fleet Tanker
- 2x RORO (similar to SPS Ysabel)
– 30x FIC
roro
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBSihKSaMAAu5lg.jpg
LMS-X
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHZAfHha8AAeuXH.jpg
The concept :
A multi-role low-cost modularly armed ship that has better speed, endurance, range than the Maharaja Lela Class Gowind LCS Frigate.
In wartime situation, the LMS-X will mainly sail together and operate as a loyal wingman and distributed lethality node for the Gowind and Arrowhead 140 Frigates. It would mainly operate under a frigate air defence umbrella. As such it would have datalink of information from the Gowinds and Arrowhead 140 Radar, ESM and sonar. It would also have situational awareness from other inputs such as geospatial satellites, MPAs and MALE UAVs.
In peacetime, it could sail independently as a patrol vessel and as escort/shadow vessel of foreign naval ships.
LMS-X main weapon would be the 150km range Roketsan Cakir multi-role cruise missie. This is a low cost missile that is a bit smaller than the NSM (which is already smaller than the Exocet). This will enable attacks to be conducted from multiple directions, saturating the enemy ship defence systems. Targeting can be acquired by the gowind, but the missile launched from the LMS-X, creating unpredictable attack patterns.
Longbow Hellfire MMR with the direction from Giraffe 1X 4D AESA radar and SPYNEL-X IRST can do limited air defence of the LMS-X against drones, loitering missiles, Naval helicopters, UAVs and subsonic aircrafts. Hellfire is already used as air defence missile by US Army Strykers.
A strike group of say 1x Gowind Frigate + 3x LMS-X will have at its disposal 8x NSM missiles + 36x Cakir missiles for surface strike; with 72x Hellfires to defend against fast boat swarms and FACs. Cakir missiles with datalink can use swarm tactics from multiple directions against a single target. It also can be used for land attack.
LMS-X cost calculation - target cost USD33 million per ship including surface attack missile module.
– FCS 5509 – USD9.5 mil (based on Ocean Warrior Euro 8.3 million)
https://thesun.my/archive/1989167-NSARCH398439
– 30mm ASELSAN SMASH – USD1 million
– SAAB Giraffe 1X 4D AESA radar – USD2.33 million. Based on UK buy of 11 for USD25.6 million
– Misc electronics, HGH Spynel-X IRST, FLIR turret, low cost ESM sensor (eg ESROE micro ESM) – USD3 million
– Roketsan Cakir SSM (150km range) x12 – USD12 million
– Hellfire MMR (8km range) x24 – USD3.6 million
Total cost of USD31.43 million, spare of USD1.57 million to cover miscellaneous items.
ASW module are budgeted separately, 6 systems for USD120 million (which i think probably can get more than just 6 systems) consisting of KraitSense or Sea Serpent low-cost lightweight towed array sonar to undertake multistatic sonar operations, and 1x B515 triple torpedo launcher on modular platform.
LMS-X specification
- length 55m
- width 9m
- crew 18-24 person, with accommodation for up to 30.
- speed 30 knots
- range more than 5,000 nautical miles (6000-8000 nm depending on cruising speed)
- Endurance more than 4 weeks (extendable with containers on deck)
- Sensor – Saab Giraffe 1X 4D AESA radar + HGH SPYNEL-X rotating IRST system + ESROE ESM
- Gun – 30mm ASELSAN SMASH
- Surface missile module – 12x Cakir SSM (150km) + 24x VL HELLFIRE MMR (8km)
- ASW module – 1x B515 triple torpedo launcher + Kraitsense/Sea Serpent lightweight towed sonar module. ASW mode operating together with GOWIND CAPTAS 2 towed sonar in multistatic sonar operation concept.
.
.
.
.
This is the plan on how to achieve it for both TLDM and APMM, all within the current afforded level of development expenditure.
Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia
RMK 12 2021-2025 (USD2.0 bil)
LCS Gowind 1.15 Project continue (assume balance RM5.2bil need to be budgeted in RMK12)
LCS Gowind 0.125 Assembly cost for 6th Gowind
13 FIC batch 2 0.03
12 LMS-X damen FCS5009 0.4 including surface attack missile module.
3 70-80m OSV 0.1 (used) auxillary ship, MCM mothership, SF support, SUB support, UAS support, pipeline security/surveillance
5 AW139 MUH batch 2 0.1
4 RQ-21A Blackjack UAV (used) 0 – 4 systems of 5 airframe each. ex USMC retired. Free US EDA
Total USD 1.905 Billion
RMK 13 2026-2030 (USD2.0 bil)
1 Scorpene SSK 0.6 assembled in Sepanggar
12 LMS-X damen FCS5009 0.4 including surface attack missile module.
2 Fast RORO (used) 0.04 replacement for MPCSS. Similar concept to Spanish Navy Ysabel
1 Fleet tanker 0.09 replacement of BM5, BM6. STM Turkiye fleet tanker 17,000 ton. MMHE
top up NSM and VL MICA NG missiles 0.3
8 SH-60J Seahawk 0.2 ex-JMSDF airframe + new avionics, radar, ASW sonar
2 MCM modular system set 0.15
6 ASW module for LMMS 0.12 KraitSense system / Sea Serpent system
Total USD 1.9 Billion
RMK 14 2031-2035 (USD2.4 bil)
1 Scorpene SSK 0.6 assembled in Sepanggar
2 Arrowhead 140 Frigate 1 – KD Jebat and KD Lekir replacement
1 Fleet tanker 0.09 replacement of BM5, BM6. STM Turkiye fleet tanker 17,000 ton. MMHE
top up LMS-X surface attack module missiles 0.3
2 MCM modular system set 0.15
UAS, USV project 0.2
Total USD 2.34 Billion
RMK 15 2036-2040 (USD2.4 bil)
2 Scorpene SSK 1.2 assembled in Sepanggar
2 Arrowhead 140 Frigate 1 KD Lekiu and KD Kasturi replacement
30 FIC replacement 0.1 For PASKAL SF support, replacement CB90
Total USD 2.3 Billion
,
,
,
Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (Malaysia Coast Guard)
RMK 12 2021-2025 (USD0.5 bil)
2 additional budget for 2x DAMEN OPV 1800 0.06
2 Ex JCG OPV 0.02 (used) sisterships of KM Pekan
3 OSV AHT 70-80m used 0.04
2 ex WMEC USCG transfer 0
30 12.5m RHFB Perkasa 0.01
10 Penggalang FIC 0.02
30 various RIB 0.01
4 AW189 0.07
Total USD 0.23 Billion
RMK 13 2026-2030 (USD0.8 bil)
3 Hyundai HDP-3000 Tae Pyung Yang 115m OPV 0.2
3 60m sail patrol vessel (based on Rainbow Warrior) 0.12
12 DAMEN FCS 4008 Patrol NGPC2 0.18
2 ex WMEC USCG transfer 0
2 ex Ulsan transfer (to be retire 2036-40) 0 – offset Hyundai HDP-3000 buy
6 ex Kedah Class OPV transfer 0.04
15 25m PC 0.05
60 12.5m RHFB Perkasa 0.02
10 Penggalang FIC 0.02 FIC recapitalisation
30 8m RIB 0.006 RIB recapitalisation
4 CN-235 MSA 0.02 Transfer TUDM
3 AS365N3 used 0.01
3 AW139 used 0.02
Total USD 0.686 Billion
RMK 14 2031-2035 (USD0.8 bil)
3 Hyundai HDP-3000 Tae Pyung Yang 115m OPV 0.2
3 60m sail patrol vessel (based on Rainbow Warrior) 0.12
4 ex Keris class LMS transfer 0
12 DAMEN FCS 4008 Patrol NGPC2 0.18
30 25m PC 0.1
60 12.5m RHFB Perkasa 0.02
10 Penggalang FIC 0.02 FIC recapitalisation
30 8m RIB 0.006 RIB recapitalisation
12 Diamond DA62 MPP Maritime Patrol 0.06
Total USD 0.706 Billion
RMK 15 2036-2040 (USD0.8 bil)
3 New OSV rescue vessel 0.09
2 ex Lekiu class OPV transfer 0
6 60m sail patrol vessel (based on Rainbow Warrior) 0.24
12 DAMEN FCS 4008 Patrol NGPC2 0.18
15 25m PC 0.05
30 12.5m RHFB Perkasa 0.02 RHFB recapitalisation
10 Penggalang FIC 0.02 FIC recapitalisation
30 8m RIB 0.006 RIB recapitalisation
6 new helicopter AS365 replacement 0.1
Total USD 0.706 Billion