SHAH ALAM: Six FICs for Ops Benteng. The Defence Ministry has issued a Request For Bids for the procurement of six Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) for the RMN for Ops Benteng use. The tender came shortly after another RFB for the wet lease of two helicopters also for the same operation.
I have no idea whether the new tender is an extension of an earlier one or a completely new one. The old tender had been put on hold as it came under criticisms as it favoured agents instead of the local industry which claimed they can manufacture the boats locally. The new tender is open only to local manufacturers. However, it must be said if they bought six FICs from a local manufacturer based on this tender, it should be elementary that if RMN has further needs for more boat of the same type or role, they should buy the same ones. That said stranger things have happened before.
The RFB for the FICs for Ops Benteng was published on 20 July and closes on 30 July. As usual I am not purview to the detailed technical specifications but the bidders must also supplied the RMN with support and spares for one year. Based on the technical specifications review list, we are informed that the FICs general arrangement should be approved by the International Association of Classification Societies and the design complied with the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000.
It would be powered by diesel engines to power water jets and equipped with generators and fitted with with a forward looking infra red turret, a navigation radar and other equipment for sea going boats ie AIS, DGPS etc. The list however did not mentioned any need for a remote weapon station though it could be listed under the full technical specifications, the one thats only available to the bidders.
The list also stated that the FICs be fitted with shock absorbing seats for the crew and an embarked Quick Reaction Force (QRF). It did not state the crew numbers but usually such boats carry four-crew members and at least six personnel for QRF duties. It need to have a pantry though which means that the FICs should be out on patrol for a day at least.
One technical specification that must be complied with – if bidders put forward a boat which did not comply with the technical list it would be rejected at the start of the tender review – is that the boats offered must have a beaching capability.
Not many FICs were designed with beaching capability though, based on memory – they are the CB 90 and Watercat M14 – both already in service with the RMN and the marine police, respectively.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (18)
So this is additional to the current requirement for 16 FIC of not?
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No idea
BTW I have gone through the tender documents. I cannot find any mention about the beaching capability requirements.
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Its in the semakan list
" Not many FICs were designed with beaching capability though"
So really just a 2 horse competition. But buying now doesn't mean they would get it tomorrow, so either they predict Ops Benteng will go on far into next year or this excuse was just a convenient one to justify the purchase.
Good news indeed..thank god. Slow and steady we start to modernised our armed force even with the little budget..lets get what we really need first for our security.
If beaching capabilities is required..try look at IC 20M fast patrol boat from swedish docstavarvet. Its the same company manufactures CB90.
From my industrial informant, the tender to supply 6 FIC has been awarded to Gading marine, same supplier as per Marine Police FIC, the design will be the same as per marine police FIC yet a bit longer. Will be equipped with two waterjet. Dockstarvet, also propose for a new type of CB-90, but didnt meet the TLDM requirement for 50kts speed, furthermore TLDM wants a local supplier. The FIC will not have a ramp as beaching capability is not in TLDM requirement
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The beaching capability is in the technical specifications list
Those with beaching capability
IC14M Polis Marin
http://www.sarawakslipways.com/media/Vessel_Press/SS237_press.pdf
CB90 TLDM
http://www.dockstavarvet.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/cb-90-h-product-sheet.pdf
Watercat M14 Polis Marin
http://youtu.be/ShDJGtAlf8I
Have checked with some friends.
The specs call for a 12.7mm RCWS. Beaching capability for troop embarkation also in the specs.
Also, crew is specified at 3.
RCWS is listed in the specs as optional. Yards are to quote separately I guess. With the RCWS, crew will increase to 4 with the inclusion of the gun operator.
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If there is a requirement for a RWS it will be a government furnished equipment. The shipyard must show however that their boats have and is designed for mounting for the type of RWS and of course wiring. They won't have to quote for the RWS itself as they will not be able to buy them as reputable manufacturers will not sell them to private companies. Personally I am partial to the Kongsberg Proctector mounting the Light 30 mm gun. Alas it appears that some people in Mindef don't particularly like Kongsberg for reasons unknown. The Light 30mm gun also uses a different rounds than the ones already in used by the RMN.