SHAH ALAM: TCG Kinaliada – the fourth ship of the Ada class – will be visiting Malaysia in mid-May as part of a five month deployment to Japan and neighbouring countries. The ship according to Defense News left Turkiye on April 8.
The publication stated:
The navy deployed its Ada-class corvette TCG Kinaliada to both celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Japan, as well as commemorate the 134th anniversary of the sinking of the Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul during a typhoon following its visit to Japan.
Some of the nations, Kinaliada is scheduled to visit are users of Turkish defense products. On its way to Japan, the ship and its crew have already stopped in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, with plans to also visit Somalia, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and South Korea.
As it returns home, the vessel is to stop in the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Djibouti and Jordan.
The visit of the Kinaliada will come a week after the likely public signing ceremony for the Ada class corvettes for the RMN LMS Batch 2 project, during DSA 2024 exhibition scheduled from May 6 to 9. A graphic published by the Turkish government (below) revealed that Kinaliada is expected to be in Malaysia from May 13 to May 15.
As reported previously, the government had signed an LOI with the Turkish firm, STM.
Following this the Defence Ministry had issued a letter of intent to the company – STM – on February 5 and the company replied on February 8 for further negotiations.
The ministry via the Royal Malaysian Navy is currently undertaking the detail negotiations to determine the specifications and subsequently the cost before the procurement is concluded.”Of course, he did not say outright that the Ada class corvettes has been selected as the LMS Batch 2 but since STM has offered the ship to meet the requirement, it is foolish to think otherwise.
Hopefully, at DSA 2024 we will know which version of the Ada class, RMN will be getting. Apart from the Turkish navy one, there are also the Pakistani and Ukrainian variants. A fourth variant is of course the Hisar OPV. It must be noted that former Defence Minister DS Mohamed Hasan had told Parliament the ministry had offered to various countries (likely the three countries above) to buy their newly completed ships to expedite the delivery to the RMN but it was not accepted.
— Malaysian Defence
Marhalim, what do you think the RMN will do? Will they buy another MOH to replace the one that crashed? Or will they just soldier on with just 2 airframes?
A lot of details are still unknown. Hopefully there will be some clarity after DSA. The fact that it will have some Turkish components with zero compatibility is a bummer but it is what it is.
The original plan was to get six airframes, if the plan is followed through, three more airframes will be procured in the next RMK. Whether or not they will also fund a replacement for the loss airframe, is beyond me.
Asked around, many say that the LMS contract is basically done, just to announce during DSA.
Personally I am against the idea of getting a halfway Corvette with USD175 million per ship budget when the original design itself cost USD250 million. Buying them does not add much to the overall capability of the TLDM warship fleet.
Yes, as I mentioned in the story, the public signing of the contract. That has always been the case.
… – ”Personally I am against the idea of getting a halfway Corvette with USD175 million per ship budget”
You’ll be saying the same thing by the time the class enters their 1st refit and for all we know even after they retire.
… – ”Buying them does not add much to the overall capability of the TLDM warship fleet.”
By that logic we should not be getting LCAs. BTW the RMN has openly stated why it needs LMSs and it would be apparent to you if you actually look at things from a less dogmatic lenses. The LMSs in certain circumstances would be more ideal given that they are smaller and have a shallower draught than the LCSs. They will also be cheaper to deploy at times; similar to the case with the LCAs compared to the LMSs and the fact that they will be modestly armed is a penalty worth incurring as they aren’t supposed to punch above their weight category. If placed in the wrong environment even a ship with a 96 VLS cell might not survive and here you are perpetually making flawed and highly subjective claims about the LMS. There is fac and there is opinion both are dissimilar.
Congratulations to the RMN after having had to wait so long and after having had no choice when presented with a class of 4 LMSs constructed in China which were politically expedient but not what was needed. With the Batch 2s various roles can be undertaken freeing up the LCSs and the resulting wear and tear. The weapons aside; for me Link 16 is the crucial element.
>Buying them does not add much to the overall capability of the TLDM warship fleet
We have 3 ASM capable ship, with 1 still in the drydock *any* ASM capable ship will be a massive boost to overall capability of TLDM warship fleet
My only hope is that there’s no f-up from the government or contractors this time like almost all big ticket navy items
dundun – ”with 1 still in the drydock *any* ASM capable ship”
Any ship which meets the RMN’s requirements; a class which is intended for certain roles and one fully part and needed in the RMN’s force structure.
dundun – ”My only hope is that there’s no f-up from the government”
And that a follow on batch is ordered on schedule rather than being postponed indefinitely. Last but not least having the ability to operate our assets on a systems not platform centric basis.
To recap in the 1990’s the plan was a force structure comprising 6 Lekius and ‘X’ number of NGOPVs which would have gradually replaced the FACs [plans were put in place for an upgrade in the 1990’s but went nowhere] and Vosper PCs. That plan went ratshit.
Fast forward today the eventual aim is a combat force structure comprising the LCSs and LMSs. Not only do we not and will not have the resources to have an all LCS fleet but in certain environments a ship with a smaller draught comes in useful. The LMS will also be less resource intensive; an important consideration for a small resource strapped navy like the RMN.
Personally I see the the need for a mainline combatant to be more heavily armed than just a 16 VLS cell and 8 ASMs but that’s a policy decision based on how we view the threat environment and off course financial realities. I also see the need for a larger hull; not for the range and endurance offered which is superfluous to our needs [a RMN ship is never more than 2 days sailing time to the nearest base/port and always carries emergency fuel – it’s like we sail as far as the Marianas and launch Ops Fajar type ops with regularity]] but for the extra deck and below deck space.
>system not platform centric
When all the equimpent came from different places it would be a wee bit problematic is it not? We have 2 different ASM fulfilling similar roles, we have 3 different 30mm secondary gun (one of them fire different kind of 30mm ammo, 3 different CMS, just to name things that can remember
Of course one way to reduce these mess is to design and build these ship domestically and allow end user to pick the equipment based on their requirement and experience
Marhalim, what is the status with LCS 6? Have they made a decision yet?
As long the ships are linked together, and the stuff works it will be ok even if they have different equipment.
Now, there are no funds for the sixth LCS. Perhaps they will reconsider it in the next RMK.
“I also see the need for a larger hull”
Me personally I see a bigger ship as a bigger target so its easier to detect and has higher hit probability. In a small ocean like SCS it works better with smaller hulled ships somewhat in the LCS-Formidable size classes. And if we want more potency compared to LCS, then look no further than Formidables which is far more dripping in lethality. Its no shame if we go for these as LCS Batch2 with more allowance for additional weapons, upgrades & enhancements within the same hull size as the LCS.
dundun – ‘it would be a wee bit problematic is it not?
”Link 16 and Y. Link Y is mainly to ‘talk’ with shore and air assets. Then we also need the mechanism in place for RMN ships to ‘talk’ to RMAF MPAs and UASs and with MEA ships. Sounds easy and logical but interoperability still can be challenging; not only for us. If a MMEA aircraft spotted a contact how will it be shared with the nearest RMN ship other than via radio? If a RMAF UAS spotted a contact and had to alert the nearest RMN ship will it be linked to the RMN ship or will there have to be a tedious process where stuff is sent to the mainland and then routed to the RMN ship?
”Me personally I see a bigger ship as a bigger target so its easier to detect and has higher hit probability.”
Yes a ship with it’s search/air radar; nav radar and other things switched on is like the proverbial Christmas tree lighted up. Which is why the USN was looking at separate hulls to carry the sensors. The problem is just like with MBTs and the fact that with greater protection comes greater weight; if one desires a ship to b able to do certain things and to carry certain payloads [whether a deeper VLS; larger radar or USVs] a hull with a certain displacement is needed.
”Its no shame if we go for these as LCS Batch2 with more allowance for additional weapons, upgrades & enhancements within the same hull size as the LCS.”
When did ”shame” even enter the picture. It’s all about funding and operational requirements which are driven by threat perceptions. Given that even equipping ships with a modest load out is an issue from a funding perspective; anything more significant would be impossible. Approval would not be forthcoming.
… – ”And if we want more potency compared to LCS, then look no further than Formidables which is far more dripping in lethality.”
What makes the class capable is no so much its load out but the fact that it operates as part of a fully networked environment; i.e. its radars are fully linked to ground ones and to AEW platforms. We also have to note that the RSN expects to operate in a more challenging or non permissive environment and that the ships are an extension of the island’s IADS.
”In a small ocean like SCS it works better with smaller hulled ships ”
Shallow draughts. There are areas where even the Kedahs have issues due to the depth We know this from a statement the RMN made some years ago.
My proposal for the navy, although prioritizing submarines as its main spearhead, I would still like TLDM to have a surface fleet of
– 6x GOWIND (to be completed by 2030)
– 4x Arrowhead 140 (2x built 2031-2035, 2x built 2036-2040) to replace 2x Kasturi and 2x Lekiu. USD500 million each fully armed.
– 24x LMS-X. Low cost, commercial hull, long endurance. Distributed lethality. Offboard missile carrier for frigates. Task Force of 1x Frigate with 2-3x LMS-X as loyal wingman. Long range patrol for peacetime mission. Multi-role with palletized missile launchers. USD33 million each with surface attack missile module.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLww1BDbQAAtHw0.jpg
“When did ”shame” even enter the picture.”
None but when did we do the logical things that our neighbours did all because of pride that we want to be different?
“Shallow draughts.”
Thats what the LCS are for, having shallower draught than the Formidables, imho the Malaysianised version would support deeper water operations in sync with LCS that will extended our surface abilities nearer to shore but with lesser armaments than the TLDM Formidables. These will work in tandem with 4 Scorpenes and MRSS as the C&C motherships.
If the MRSS is to become C&C mothership they will need a more robust AD and ASW systems than the one currently envisaged by the RMN for that role. The additional capability will require more funds than even with the most basic amphibious fit.
Just buy shitload of gunboats from our neighbours and use it cheap. Indonesia PT Pal KCR kapal cepat rudal equipped with chinese ssm only cost 60m each. Thank me later
Well much like carriers, I envisage them to have an escorts for AD & ASW, its also possible due to its larger size, the MRSS could house better ranging sensors and guide these escorts for the kill or network with its escorts sensors to give a bigger SA picture.
Those are meant for inner waters like the ones around ESSCOM AOR or Malacca or Johor straits. They are too small to operate in the SCS effectively.
Getting the JSM integrated to the FA50M would be a better investment and provide serious deterrent effect.
To counter any area denial by the Chinese Coast Guard, we need the OPV2 and OPV3 to be completed.
@ Hasnan
maybe not JSM, but NSM-AL integrated on FA-50 and future MRCA
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fn7rvv9aAAIiUEq.jpg
” To counter any area denial by the Chinese Coast Guard, we need the OPV2 and OPV3 to be completed ”
APMM needs 20 OPVs as written down in PPSMM2040 (Pelan Perancangan Strategik Maritim Malaysia 2040). We need more than that 2 to be completed.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_nBAO1bEAA8GbP.jpg
We need
1) 20 large OPV with APMM
2) 10 Frigates with TLDM
To have
– 6x large OPV/Frigate always at sea off the Sabah/Sarawak coast
– 1x large OPV always at sea off eastern peninsular coast
– 1x large OPV always at sea off western peninsular coast
– 1-2x Frigates at sea on other military/overseas taskings.