SHAH ALAM: Preparing for the new radar. It appears that RMAF is preparing the ground work for the site of the new air surveillance radar which had been funded. RMAF Air Operations Commander Lt. Gen Abdul Mutalib Abd Wahab visited the proposed site of the new radar in Sarawak on Oct. 23.
RMAF did not revealed the proposed radar site location though. However as it has been reported that the ThalesRaytheon GM403 radar is based near Kuching, Sarawak, it is likely that new radar will be sited somewhere between the state and Sabah.
It is likely that RMAF has learnt from difficulties it had with the GM403 radar site. The difficulties were detailed in the Auditor General’s Report 2018 though it left out the location of the radar, citing national security reasons.
The report concluded that better planning and coordination by RMAF could have been prevented the delays in the completion of the project which it said had detrimental effects to national security. The report noted that the main reason for the delay in completing the radar site was a result of it being funded in stages due to the lack of money.
The purchase of the new air defence radar was confirmed by RMAF chief ahead of the service’s anniversary in June. Story. Malaysian Defence also reported on the competition for the radars – three were sought – but only one was funded.
Anyhow, I was told that RMAF had selected the radar for the new site though as I am not sure whether the contract has been signed or not. Or whether they will still have to tender it out. While I am glad that the government now prefers open competition, one has to wonder whether it is smart to ask for bidders for things which can only be sourced from the OEM only, like technical documentation for a certain helicopter.
Please note that the radars pictured here including that of the GM 403, is for used for illustrative purposes only.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (20)
So the new radar is still not chosen?
Hopefully just add on for the gm400.
And are the rmaf using the gm403 (mobile) version or gm406 (fixed) version?
“Unofficially” it has not been selected as there will be an open tender (as our politicians keep reminding us - we’re now in a “new” Malaysia where there’s zero tolerance for corruption). “Unofficially” the RMAF has long identified the radar it needs/wants.
The problem with an open tender is that there will be other radars with a cheaper per unit cost but this radar may not suit the RMAF’s requirements and there will be other factors that will drive up the overall cost; e.g. integration to the current infrastructure and whether a SOC is needed.
The radar may not be “mobile” per see (i.e. GAPU’s TRS-3Ds mounted on a lorry) and it will be operated from a “fixed” location but the actual radar is not “fixed” per see. It can be moved to alternate or secondary locations although this will take time and lots of preparation.
Whenever I see open tender, I remind myself of Murphy's law about equipment: Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
Hopefully we can follow through the radar with medium ranged SAM.
Fair competition for a system but if every purchase like this 1 radar only, it will not benefits on maintenance. Although all radar are from the west but it also a challenge. If we wish to keep our maintenance in good shapes. Maximum 2 supplier per toy is good enough. If we manage balance East+West product will be best, we will reduce the embargo. While local development should focus on rifle, manpads, Anti air guns, ATGM, mortar, APC, 80m below Vessel, UAV, radar... Those big & expensive toy like mrca, helicopter, submarine, big vessel, so n so, i think is not worth for our investment if just for internal use only.
A medium range SAM is an army requirement and it’s interesting to speculate whether GAPU has a requirement for anymore primary or gap filler radars to supplement its TRS-3Ds.
I personally feel that additional radars for the RMAF should be a priority. There is a pressing need for additional radars; especially in
East Malaysia where coverage has been traditionally weak and where coverage was mostly provided by DCA ATC radars.
We did bought Spexer 2000 radar for Sabah quite couple years ago.
Reply
Those are coastal surveillance radars
Open tender doesn't mean absolutely MUST buy the cheapest
Gawd, have Malaysians become so used to closed non-competitive (crony) procurement that we don't even know what an open tender means anymore?!?!
definition of OPEN TENDER (Black's Law Dictionary) OPEN TENDER. A bidding system that is not private. It is opened for all qualified bidders. Bids are then chosen openly, based on price AND QUALITY.
So it is clear this additional radar is to be used to improve the radar coverage, not to replace an existing radar.
Anyway why is the hush2 about Gunung Nxxxx site for the Ground Master 403? It is clearly mentioned in TUDM website without any censorship.
http://www.airforce.mil.my/images/AcaraRasmi/Jan19/22Jan_Simunjan/4.jpg
Regarding the radars allocated with the army GAPU. Are they regularly deployed and operated in peacetime? Is the giraffe still operational? What are the current air search radars operational with GAPU?
2x? Giraffe
2x EADS TRML-3D
2x? Thales Ground Master 200 (bought with starstreaks)
Reply
I have no idea why they (Auditor General Report) decide to not name the location of the radar. As for the GAPU AFAIK, the Giraffe and TRML 3D radar operational. I think there is only one GM 200.
@Chua
Please define how does your statement can help the RMAF. If China can make a radar below price AND WITHIN QUALITY, but incompatible with everything else, isn't it still within the definition & spirit of OPEN TENDER? So should RMAF go for China radar system then?
By right it should be a selected tender process whereby RMAF states the requirements and their system preference then let the bidders that qualify according to their preferences come in and bid, even different vendors can come in and bid with the same system, no?