KUALA LUMPUR: On Tuesday, the Nuri Replacement Tender expired officially, one month longer than the original deadline reportedly due to requests from helicopter manufacturers.
When and who will win the tender for 12 utility helicopters with SAR capabilities is up to the gods now (how and why remains men’s decision, of course). Anyway the winner will surely get a contract for 12 more helicopters once the initial batch is delivered. As I said before, the budget is RM2.4 billion or around USD600 million) so there is enough money for 24 helicopters even if they are priced at USD25 million each. If its more than USD25 million, we may have 18 examples only. Anything less than 18 will make us a laughing stock of the world.
As I said before, I expect the two shortlisted candidates to be announced by DSA and the winner announced by June or July (unless something from the left side happened during the general election). I was told that 20 companies had officially purchased the tender documents, with the usual well known manufacturers duly represented (four) while the rest are probably Malaysian companies acting as agents for other companies (probably Russian?
Anyway, after buying the Metis M and the Baktar Shikan as it medium range guided missiles, the Army has floated another tender for the same weapon system again. Who knows maybe this time, we buy the original weapon instead of the copy of a copy. Sheesh…
From the MOD website
KP(PERO 1)B/T 426/2006
04.04.08
100.00
For The Supply and Delivery Of Anti Tank Guided Weapon – Medium Range (ATGW-MK) To The Government Of Malaysia
(International Tender)
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (23)
This tender is happening because the Metis-Ms are garbage. You should ask your sources what % of correct function the Army has recorded in live firings to date.
Javelin has been approved for this.
Interesting developments. Haven't been following the Nuri-replacement closely but I hope that the new units will be purchased in sufficient quantity. I would be good if the same helicopter can be used to fulfill the RMAF's CSAR helo requirements (of course kitted out with the necessary equipment) as this would mean lower cost (more units in the purchase) and save MAF the hassle of maintaining even more types of a/c. I'm realistic enough to think that the EH101 is probably priced out of our reach but the NH-90 or EC725 do look like capable candidates. The Mi-17 will probably be the cheapest option out. Personally, I'm rooting for either the NH-90 or EC725 as they have proven CSAR variants unlike the Mi-17 which comes across as being too unwieldy for CSAR duties.
For ATGMs, as much as I would prefer original or more capable missiles, I think commonality is an important factor as well. As it is, we already have quite a few ATGMs in the inventory. Perhaps something new can be acquired to replace the Eryx, which is already showing its age.
MeesterT,
I will surely try to find out more about this especially the reason why. BTW, I do believe the Javelin is a short range ATGM. The TOW is the American medium range ATGM.
Weng,
Thanks for the comment. I do believe the EC725 and AW101 will be the shortlisted candidates for the tender. Who will win? I am not putting any money on either of them, its that tight! As above, I do believe the Eryx is a short-range ATGM. Pf course the AT4 is a better fire and throw away ATGM.
Javelin has a max range of 2.5km, which is more than Metis M1 (2km). The original tender IIRC requires a max range of at least 2km.
ANyway, interesting info, didn't know that Metis is crappy. Its a simple low tech weapon. Usually Russian low tech stuff are quite good (eg AK-47 and Mi-17). Plus, it is supposed to be one of the "feared" ATGM system of Lebanon 2006 war (the other being the Kornet).
ATGM stands for anti-tank guided missile, which AT-4 is clearly not.
Is the ATGM procurement made simply because their current ammo stocks are used up or do they want to replace a certain weapon system? Both weapon system (Baktar Shikan and Metis-M) are not that old. But Eryx is getting pretty old as time goes by.
The Javelin has an effective range of about 2,5 Km, which is about the same league as the Metis-M.
Oops my mistake, the Javelin is also in the medium class ATGM but meant to be carried by soldiers while the TOW is for vehicle application. You guys are right it is in the same class range-wise with Metis M.
I will try to find out why the tender is floated. Is it really because of the Metis M failures in field firings or they are just stocking up on new weapons or the other option : to help their friends in the ATGM companies!
Anyway in the past, I have not heard anything bad about the Metis M and the Baktar Shikan. But as a foot note, one must remember that we usually buy weapon systems without the full training fit ie test weapons for training and testing purposes. I wonder if indeed the Metis M failures were caused by the weapon's failure or the operators?
If it were up to me, the Javelin would be an ideal candidate. But I'm not sure if it's a cost-effective solution considering high per-unit prices. It'd be nice to have a fire-and-forget MR-ATGM solution. Considering that the only other alternative to the Javelin is the Spike, it appears that there isn't much choice (apart from the Trigat 3, which is still in development). Choices for SACLOS missiles abound though. In that case, I still think the ATM should stick to its inventory and just purchase more unless there are some serious deficiencies with the current stock.
Im wondering, does the Malaysian army need medium-range ATGMs? Our geography are mainly urban areas, plantations and jungles. Will 2km+ range weapons be much use in our environment?
Isn't it better for Malaysian army to focus on getting more light weight, multi-purpose AT weapons for its infantry battalions? Something like RPGs but more modern, like the German Panzerfaust 3 or the Spanish ALCOTAN. These weapons have effective range of 600 meters and can be fired from enclosed spaces, an important capability nowadays.
Based on conversations in Singapore, the tender is just a restocking exercise for the Army's ATGM inventories although they might just purchase a different system than those already iin service.
Apparently the same tender was open last year but it lapsed due to red tape and lack of funds! They are not buying that many but....
Ree, the MR ATGM are supposed to be use together with the Adnans and other AFVs. It will be like the Heavy Weapons Company or Platoon in the US marines. For short range purposes, they got the RPGs, Eryx and Carl Gustaf. At last DSA, the Alcotan agent was very confident that they will get a contract soon but I have neard nothing so far!
Spike is no go as it is from Zionistan (tm). You'll be surprised just how affordable the Javelin is today. I was.....
Metis-M is an embarrassment. There is zero chance of a rebuy.
Marhalim, go and dig out the tender value. You'll be kinda surprised at the amount budgeted for 18 launchers and ammo.
The Army has more RPGs than it knows what to do with. It is literally saturated with RPG-7s.