SHAH ALAM: I had a flying visit to Singapore yesterday for the 2012 airshow. A scheduling conflict and lack of funds meant that a few hours on the ground for what was billed as the world’s third most important aerospace and defence show was all the time I could afford.

I guess that I did not miss much as the show was more skewed for the civilian market with the host’s nation not buying anything until the end of the decade.

Anyhow, interestingly the biggest news about defence (on Malaysia anyway) was the confirmation from Raytheon that it was working with a Boustead subsidiary for the production of supply of components for the ESSM. I have reported before that the ESSM was favoured by the Navy but lately it appears that the Mica would be chosen for the frigates aka SGPV. But it appears that the ESSM is making a comeback.

From Raytheon news release.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) awarded an initial contract to Malaysian-based Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn. Bhd. for the production and supply of components for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). This is the first contract of its type awarded to a Malaysian company and is aligned with U.S. and Malaysian strategic initiatives as well as the Malaysian Economic Transformation Program.

“Raytheon is a global company with strategic partnerships worldwide,” said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Weapon Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. “We welcome Contraves to the ESSM global supply chain and look forward to expanding our relationship on ESSM and other programs.”

Raytheon recently qualified Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn. Bhd. as a participant in the Strategic Enterprise Aligned Commodities provider program and as a Raytheon preferred supplier. The SEAC program is designed to focus Raytheon’s global supply chain base on a more limited number of companies and qualifies Contraves as a provider for the majority of Raytheon production programs.

Raytheon has proposed ESSM to Malaysia for its upcoming Second Generation Patrol Vessel program for the Royal Malaysian Navy. Selection of ESSM for the SGPV program would significantly enhance the capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy and provide for interoperability with the U.S. Navy and with the Australian, Japanese and Canadian navies in the Pacific theatre.

“Through this partnership with Contraves, we are extending our global supply chain network and enhancing our presence and expertise in Malaysia,” said Kevin Peppe, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems for Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business. “Our shared commitment to quality and performance will allow us to deliver exceptional capabilities to our customer and industry, now and into the future.”

Raytheon has also issued requests for quotation to Malaysian industry for additional components for the ESSM, the MK56 ESSM vertical launching system, MK73 illuminator, and test equipment in support of the Malaysian SGPV program as well as other international production programs.

Also another interesting tidbit coming out from Singapore is the fact the the P-81 Poseidon aircraft meant for India is also fitted for air-to-air mode. An interesting option for Malaysia of course!

From Raytheon:
The APY-10 radar delivers accurate and actionable information in all weather, day and night, for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
To meet unique requirements for the Indian navy, Raytheon has added an air-to-air mode, which provides the detection and tracking of airborne targets, allowing customers to detect threats in the air as well as at sea. In addition, an interleaved weather and surface search capability has been added to provide the cockpit with up-to-date weather avoidance information while performing surveillance missions.

Some of the pictures taken at the show

– Malaysian Defence

If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment