SHAH ALAM: The strange case of the 105mm guns. With the contracts of the MD Helicopters MD530G light scout attack helicopter and M109SPH being cancelled, now I can post about the other contract that I have been asked about. It’s the Nexter 105LG1 contract. I can confirmed that it is still valid and deliveries are expected late this year, though it also had went through the wringer.
It went through a wringer? Yes, about 12 months ago, I heard that the review of defence contracts as mandated by the government after the May 2018 general elections had been completed. I contacted my sources and was told that as part of the review, the 105mm howitzer contract was about to be cancelled. This was the only thing I had managed at this point in time, however.
As I was aware of what happened at DSA 2018 – the contract for the 18 Nexter LG1 howitzer was only confirmed a day after the official contract signing ceremony – I kept the story on hold.
Nexter 105LG1 gun displayed at DSA 2018
The Ministry of Defense, Malaysia announced the acquisition of 18 units of 105LG1 artillery systems for the Armed Forces during one of the largest defense services exhibition in Asia, DSA&NATSEC 2018. This 3-year contract will start by November 2019 with the first delivery of 6 light guns and the last delivery is due to take place in February 2020. The 105LG1 is a 105mm gun designed for intervention and rapid reaction forces.
Early this year, I was told by various sources that indeed the 105LG1 contract had been cancelled. As I was about to write a post on the cancellation I was told that the ministry was talking with Nexter over the deal and there was a possibility that the contract would be reinstated despite an offer from another manufacturer.
Apart from the 105mm guns, at this point – around February and March – I was also checking on the status of the other contracts – the MD530Gs and M109 SPH – though at this point I was told every thing was hunky dory. Then came the announcement of the LMS contract revision in mid-March, barely two weeks before LIMA 2019.
At LIMA 2019 I was told that the 105mm guns contract would be reinstated with a slight reduction in cost. They even slotted the contract signing for the guns at the LIMA contract signing day though in the end they never went ahead with it at the function. Despite this the contract was signed though not during the event.
At this moment I can report that the first six Nexter guns are expected to be delivered later this year and assembled locally as announced in the DSA 2018 story. The rest are expected to be delivered by the end of next year. As reported previously, the guns will be assigned to the 1st Royal Artillery Regiment (Para) attached to the 10th Para Brigade. The Nexter guns is likely to be the last 105mm guns to be purchased by the Army.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (73)
"At LIMA 2019 I was told that the 105mm guns contract would be reinstated with a slight reduction in cost. "?
Reduce some feature (the guns computer system?) or "Nexter, we are new government, please give me a discount else we cancel it?"
Not sure whether the MD530G is really cancelled though as today's radio announcement seems to suggest they are still discussing with the AG on the matter. It is likely there are few possibilities:-
a) They are looking at the possibility of cancelling it and recovering the 35% paid, though recovering it would be long protracted process.
b) there may be a poison pill clause which stated that the contract can only be cancelled subject to going through a lengthy pre determined process, of which if it is skipped then MINDEF will lose the deposit plus has to compensate the other party
Part B I am not surprise if there is such a clause, in fact it is commonly seen in other type of contracts.
Encik Marhalim, macam mana dgn baki lagi 2 LCS Maharaja Lela (kapal yang ke 5 dan ke 6) yg masih belum dimulakan pembinaannya? Adakah berpotensi untuk dibatalkan?
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Akan jalan
Lots of questions to ask you marhalim!
1. What was the other manufacturer that has offered their 105mm howitzer?
2. What was the final cost of the contract after price reduction?
3. The intriguing last sentence of your post. What makes you say so? What would happen to the other 6 close support regiments with oto melara pack howitzers if no more 105mm howitzers to be bought? Is the army saying that it does not need 105mm howitzers any more? Personally I think 105mm howitzers has more utility compared to 120mm mortar or 155mm howitzers in the context of malaysian army use.
Another thing. On the nuri. If it is to be permanently retired, please give it a proper dignified retirement ceremony.
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It's a source story so I am not going to say which company, same as the cost reduction but its not much. As for the last question, wait for it.
They won't retire the Nuri in the immediate future
This is something I've long wondered about : whether with the exception of 10 Para; we should ditch the 105mms and standardise to 155mms.
Apart from cheaper procurement costs and a smaller footprint [essential for light units which have limited lift/transport capabilities]; 105mms guns haven't really many plus points over 155mms - which is why many armies no longer have them.
Wait, we're not buying the LG1 as a CBU? Who is going to perform the local assembly and why is this necessary for just 18 units? There is no economic sense other than paying staff for 6 months of contracted work. Forget the whole local assembly thingy and we can save some real money there.
" As for the last question, wait for it "
if they are thinking of getting rid of the 105mm howitzer for manually loaded 120mm mortar, i am not for it.
for limited conflicts like our communist insurgency or lahad dato type of scenario, the 155mm howitzers are an overkill. Yes we need 155mm howitzers, but 2-3 regiments is adequate enough IMO, we still need 105mm howitzers for most of situations that we could face. Probably having some of the regiments on 105mm SPH like the hawkeye howitzer for our mechanized units, and rest upgraded to LG1 towed howitzers. I am waiting for the DWP to roll out my writeup on the army, and it would include my take on RAD.
http://jolietweekly.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Hawkeye-105mm-Mobile-Weapon-System.jpg
The minister of defence came out with an official statement . He said the Mindef is looking at the issues n will choose an option with the least loss to Malaysia. The contract is not yet cancelled.
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The minister also told Parliament said the end user the Army don't want it.
Nice.
@...
"we still need 105mm howitzers for most of situations that we could face"
Why?
Yet another fatal accident happened to a H225 Super Puma.