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Further Reading

Royal Malaysian Navy

Malaysia's primary geopolitical and strategic interests lie at sea. Physically, Malaysia is surrounded by two globally significant water bodies - the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, which in turn borders other strategic seas such as the Indian Ocean, the Andaman Sea, the Sulu Sea and the Sulawesi Sea. Malaysia also derives part of its economic wealth from the sea from its exploitation of petroleum and fisheries resources. The significance of the sea to Malaysia is also manifested in the unresolved conflicts it has with its neighbors over maritime boundaries and marine resources.

The Royal Malaysian Navy has its genesis in the Straits States Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve established a mere one year after the formation ofthe Royal Malay Regiment in 1933. This small band of sailors proved their mettle during the Second World War and the 'Konfrantasi' with Indonesia in the 1960s.

In the mid-1990s Malaysia entered a joint venture project with Australia to build 39 Off-shore Patrol Vessels for the Malaysian Navy, thus opening an opportunity for an export-oriented ship-building industry. This vessel would have been of sufficient size and capability to fulfil patrolling duties. Importantly, the OPV was designed to carry a helicopter, essential for the conduct of boarding operations in extremely rough weather conditions. The 'failed' Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project was cancelled in the mid-1990's after Malaysia pulled out of negotiations for a joint project.

The New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) program, which originally envisioned a total of 27 ships, was delayed for almost three years caused by mismanagement of the local shipyard and system integration issues. The first two ships of the Kedah-class had been delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy and were based in East Malaysia. In 2008 Malaysia announced that the next four ships in the NGPV program were going forward. Malaysia could be looking for enhanced ASW capabilities in the second batch of NGPVs.

Malaysia has announced its intention to buy at least two frigates with an option for two more from BAE Systems. However, because of uncertainty over the budget, by early 2009 the future of this deal, known as the Frigate Batch 2 program, was cloudy. Malaysia was presumed to also be looking at other sources to supplement their fleet. Malaysia was also looking to acquire one or more multi role amphibious ships to supplement its ageing amphibious support ships, to support peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Among the potential sources were Spain's Navantia, Dutch Royal Schelde and Merwede, France's DCNS, China and the Republic of Korea. However, budget for the program remained a problem.

The Government of Brunei has decided to sell off the three OPVs, KDB Nakhoda Ragam, KDB Bendahara Sakam and KDB Jerambak, built at BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow for the Royal Brunei Navy after a long-running legal dispute was resolved. The ships were built under a deal costing £600 million, between BAE Systems and Brunei, and were completed in 2004. However the Brunei claimed the ships were not as they had ordered, and they remained berthed in Scotstoun until the arbitration dispute ended in May 2007, allowing the ships to be sold. Malaysia is the likeliest buyer for the three ships, provided they could get it at a reasonable price.

Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BN Shipyard) achieved another milestone when the fifth locally made patrol vessel (PV5) was successfully named, KD (Kapal Diraja) KELANTAN by her highness Raja Perempuan Kelantan Tengku Anis Binti Almarhum Tengku Abdul Hamid. Also witnessed by the Sultan of Kelantan, his highness, Tuanku Ismail Petra Sultan Yahya Petra, the ceremony was held on 24 November 2008 at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Naval Base in Lumut. Also present was YBhg Laksamana Madya Dato' Seri Ahmad Ramli Haji Mohd Nor (Retired), the Managing Director of BN Shipyard which in his speech said that, 'The naming event is significant as it represents yet another milestone of BN Shipyard's ability to deliver the patrol vessel despite the hurdles faced.'

In line with BN Shipyard's vendor development program for maritime related industries, more than 1,000 local companies had participated in the patrol vessel project. The vessel would subsequently undergo its final outfitting, Setting-To-Work (STW) of equipment and systems, Harbor and Sea Acceptance Trials (HAT and SAT) and Life Firing Trials (LFT) prior to its delivery to RMN for commissioning.

The government is planning to go ahead with the construction of the second batch of the new generation patrol boats for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) once the first batch of six boats (which includes KD KELANTAN) has been delivered to the RMN by early 2010. KD KELANTAN was designed as a versatile vessel capable of performing a myriad of tasks ranging from search and rescue, crisis management to offshore patrol duties. The vessel was also built on an advanced modular warship design that allows flexible installation of weapons, electronics and major service systems. Due to modularisation with standardised dimensions and interfaces, large components of KD KELANTAN can be quickly installed, removed, exchanged or replaced. This allows dimension flexibility for upgrading or modernisation, time and cost saving, maintenance and repair within a significantly shorter period. The modularity concept technique enables BN Shipyard to undertake parallel construction of the ship platform and the modular payload concurrently. In the final outfitting phase of a ship, the already tested modules are forwarded to the shipyard, installed on board and connected to the vessel's respective service systems within just a few days.

Plans called for 2 Scorpene submarines & 1 Agosta 70B from Armaris of France to be delivered in 2008 The Malaysian Scorpene submarine program reached a milestone in March 2007 when a joining ceremony was held in Cherbourg, France to commemorate the joining of the fore and aft sections of the first Scorpene submarine built for the Malaysian Navy. According to plan, DCNS in Cherbourg will be in charge of building two fore sections while Navantia will be in charge building the two aft sections in Cartagena, Spain. The two submarines were expected to arrive in Malaysia by 2009. The submarines, upon commissioning, were known as KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak.

The country's second Scorpene submarine was named and launched by the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah on 09 October 2008 at a ceremony witnessed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Navantia Naval shipyard. Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, armed forces chief Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal, navy officials and shipyard workers were among those who gathered to celebrate the launching of the 67.5-metre diesel-powered submarine, KD Tun Razak.

The KD Tun Razak, like the country's first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, was built by DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain. KD Tun Razak will enter service in March, 2010. The submarine was named after the country's second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, in recognition of his contribution to the country. The first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, is named after Malaysia's first prime minister. Both submarines can undertake a wide range of missions, including naval blockades, information-gathering and landing or retrieval of commandos.

They can operate alone or in combination with air and sea forces. The new generation diesel-powered Scorpene has been hailed as a benchmark in the world conventional submarine market. It is capable of operating in coastal waters and the high seas. It is armed with wire-guided torpedoes and Exocet SM39 sub-launched, anti-surface-ship missiles. Malaysia is the second customer for the vessel after Chile, while India is acquiring it under a slightly different deal since it is building it in its own dockyard under licence. Both submarines will be based at the naval base in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The Scorpenes can operate at depths of 350m for 40 days, making them suitable for deployment in the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca. They are manned by a crew of 31.

In his speech, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the Scorpene submarines would strengthen the RMN's capability in undertaking the many challenging tasks facing it. He said it would not only protect the country's shores but also the underwater assets. "Malaysia is essentially a maritime nation. Given its geographical setting, it is inevitable that Malaysia's national interest and security concerns are closely related and associated with the sea." He said the country's maritime area was about twice its land mass area. "Within this span of water lies rich maritime resources and minerals that increasingly contribute to the country's economy." He pointed out that more than 90 per cent of the country's domestic and international trade was dependent on sea transportation. "On the seabed lies underwater piping that transport our oil and gas ashore, as well as cables that link major international communication networks," he said.

On 27 January 2009 DCNS delivered the Royal Malaysian Navy's first-ever submarine. This on-time delivery follows Malaysia's decision to set up a submarine force comprising two Scorpene-type conventional-propulsion boats. The Royal Malaysian Navy took formal delivery of Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman at the official handover in Toulon. The guests of honour included RMN Chief of Staff Admiral Dato'Sri Aziz Hj Jaafar. KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is the first of two Scorpene submarines ordered by Malaysia in June 2002 and developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia. In addition to the submarines proper, the contract calls for associated logistics and training. This major milestone for the RMN followed the completion, in late December 2008, of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman's final sea trials demonstrating remarkable operational and combat system capabilities. These trials included successful firings of Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes and missiles. KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was scheduled to arrive in Malaysia early in the second half of 2009. The second of the series, KD Tun Razak, was scheduled for delivery in late 2009.

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) wants an organic maritime patrol and reconnaissance capability. This role is currently provided by four Raytheon Beechcraft Super King Air B200Ts acquired in 1994. Given the requirement to better patrol the Malacca Straits against piracy and smuggling, the RMN has examined offers from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Saab/Embraer and EADS. Malaysia has identified a requirement for three to four platforms.

The Navy had plans to buy 12 Eurocopter EC-725 worth RM1.607 billion, to replace the ageing fleet of Sikorsky S61-A4 Nuri. However, the purchase was postponed on 28 October 2008 because the government had to focus on projects that were more beneficial to the people. The EC-725 aircraft was chosen because the model was an upgrade from the AS532 Cougar helicopter and had made its first flight in 2000 to fulfil French Air Force Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) requirements.