PETALING JAYA: Much has been said about the need for self-reliance or Juche in Korean in terms of arms manufacturing. Much more funds have been spend in such national interest projects, in the past, current and the future.
But have we really gotten past the gate post yet? Based on current evidence not yet. Even when in comes to support, we are still reliant on others. Take for example the Hornet fleet, it is still maintained by Boeing. And moves are being made to allow OEM to support helicopters and the future MRCA. After supporting the Armed Forces for the last 50 years, it appears that the local industry has not improve enough to justify confidence among the technocrats.
Anyhow the story below is self explainatory. While we are so busy talking about building rifles and frigates and assembling APCs, the rest of the world is moving ahead. I expect in a few years time, somebody will be proclaiming that they are the proud local builder of a blaster. And before we forget, who owns the Technical Data Package?
Neuroscience the new face of warfare: experts
(Reuters) – Directed energy weapons that use wave beams to cause pain, and electrical brain stimulation that boosts a soldier’s combat ability – it may sound like science fiction warfare, but experts say advances in neuroscience mean it’s on the horizon.
Rapid progress in the ability to map brain activity and manipulate its responses with stimulants could change the face of warfare, a panel of experts said on Tuesday.
–Malaysian Defence
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About the neuroscience thing, the ADS (Active Denial System) look interesting.Perhaps PDRM should invest in the ADS so that no tear gas or rubber bullets will be required for crowd dispersal in case the protestors turn violent.
Why don’t Boustead Heavy Industries (Defence) invest in the new ADS technology rather than the Propellant Factory (from Eastern Europe) which have all the ingredients to be a failed project, at expense of LTAT (Military Provident Fund).
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Like the Armed Forces, PDRM is very conservative when it comes to technology, spare the rod and spoil the child!
As for the propellant factory, it is the easier thing to do…
Brother what we need is the right people to lead.
Not some one who laugh with his mouth open so big. or say what you want it will not happen unless we go for a CHANGE.
Wonder our defense industries have the right captain of the industry to propel the industry forward? That goes the same with the military leaderships. So, you say what!
The major defence institutions in Malaysia are mainly owned by only two large corporations namely Boustead for ships and MMC/Hicom for land vehicles and armoured vehicles. These two are so called private companies although government linked or owned by people favoured by the government. They are not interested in designing.They are only intersetd in getting it done the easy way.That is buy the plan from another country and then build .But once build, they dont know how to maintain these equipment or produce the spares. Maintenance culture is also affected in the armed forces .For instance, the RMAF ahs its very own technical school in Kinrara last time which produces technical staff who can repair planes until stage 3 or 4 maintenance level and only most difficult repairs are these planes sent overseas. Similarly our EME engineeres repairs all the armoured cars and maintain the land vehicles and they run pretty well.How come we are regressing now?. Wrong policies?.Wrong priorities?. Wrong choice of main contractors?
ADS…and this new neuroscience research remind me of Star Wars. Mind over matters. Agreed we still rely on foreign OEM for our hardware software military stuff. Maybe becoz our foreign policy of non-alignment and “appease all sides” that we got our hands into multiple suppliers. Example; SU-30MKM (russki + frenchy + western euro tech)
I guess we stick to makinh fridges,toasters and air conds and eXport to these military behemoth countries with supernrays that could melt brains than goin to war with them…
A the end of the day, china dominated the US economy and industry through merchant maritime trade…with devastating effects on the common americans and their future generations..
Defense News is running a story on the Singapore Airshow, that says that Malaysia is looking to buy 10 fighters to replace the MiG-29s.
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120209/DEFREG03/302090001/Singapore-Airshow-Raises-Fighter-Industry-Stakes-Asia?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
This is crazy! 10 fighters! And not until after 2013. Might as well just retire the MiGs and forgo buying replacements until we can afford sufficient numbers. The cost of integrating and operating 10 fighters is not worth it.
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Relax lah bro. That’s just a speculative story to justify their participation at the Sing Airshow as the host nation is not buying anything or even considering any fighter purchase soon.
The Fulcrums will be at the Singapore Air Show, their first appearance there, and only their 3rd foreign outing after the Jakarta Air Show in 1996 and BRIDEX.
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they will be based in Senai…
Except for major engine overhauls and avionics upgrade, the fulcrum can stil out class the hawk 200, the F16 A block 10 and the F5E (which is still alot in this region). I f want to sell or retire than my guess better go for the SH then, say 6-8 as an additional to the hornet D, then get two spruce iup e2c….save money (though temporarily)
If you are looking to stretch every single RM, it would be better to trade in the MiG19 for 6-8 units of SU30MKM.Then you have two full squadron of formidable MRCA plus the 8xF18 at the least cost to the taxpayers.
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On paper more MKMs are preferable….
Marhalim,
If I’m not mistaken, for BRIDEX the Fulcrums were operating from Labuan. The MBB-339CMs of 15 Squadron , like the A’s before they were retired, are part of FTC3 right? I know FTC3 has the PC-7 Mk1s that formed the Light Attack Squadron [painted green with a sharksmouth], what about the PC-7 Mk2s – are some part of FTC3?
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The Sukhois also operated out of Labuan when a single jet performed at Bridex,
Yes.
This should be of interest:
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120213/DEFREG02/302130002/Smaller-Aircraft-Eyed-Foreign-P-8-Variants?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Canada used to have a major defense industry, but now only has one real major industrial sized supplier in GD.
I suspect that Malaysia will do best by being a reliable supplier of quality components for existing military equipment. You have the workforce, the education system, the manufacturing base to pull it off. Plus your stuff will not be subject to ITAR’s which is hurting US based companies.