SHAH ALAM: RMN air defence unit. In a recent post, someone asked about the air defence units of the RMAF and RMN. Although some information of the RMAF unit has been posted earlier, not much is known about the RMN one.
RMN used to have an air defence unit at the Lumut naval base, which were armed with the Starburst MANPADS in the past but it appears that it was deactivated following the retirement of the system.
Another AD unit armed with the Thales Starstreak HVM missile has now been activated at the Kota Kinabalu naval base. The unit is equipped with both the ground and RapidRover launchers. The RapidRover is used to describe the launcher fitted on the rear of the Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform.
The unit according to its Twitter account was activated in February last year likely just ahead to the firing trials.
It is likely that another AD unit will be activated at the Lumut naval base once more Starstreak HVM are delivered. The next batch of the latest Starstreak NG is expected to be delivered to Malaysia, next year.
As posted previously, the Starstreak HVM will also be operated by the RMAF and the Army air defence unit, GAPU. RMAF AD unit are with the 400-series squadrons, with the Skdn 401 based at the Kuantan airbase as the designated Starstreak training unit.
The deal for the Starstreak HVM was signed on July 29, 2015 as first reported in Malaysian Defence.
In addition to the Starstreak missiles, the system comprises CONTROLMaster 200 radar and weapon coordination systems, RAPIDRanger and RAPIDRover mobile weapon systems and the Next Generation Lightweight Multiple Launcher, as well as associated communications.
Malaysia is the third user of the Starstreak HVM, apart from Thailand and Indonesia.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (22)
Will we hear some developments about the Malaysian Armed Forces purchasing or at least expressing an interest to buy medium- and long-range SAMs in the near future?
Reply
None actually
Basically our own version of avengers. Seems like our short range air defence is quite stacked, with manpads, AAAs and jernas providing the cover
Using SHORAD to defend a submarine base? Just wondering what are their air defence parameters for defending such a high value target.
@Loreng - who are we going to war with?
Msia is full of loads of HVTs but we only have a few Rapiers and rest is VSHORAD, the rest is up to TUDM QRF. If the defence budget quadruples then can consider... but how likely is that...
Loreng - ''Using SHORAD to defend a submarine base?''
Off course it's not the most ideal of arrangements but one works with one has ..... The RMN a few years ago stated there was a requirement for a longer range system at Sepanggar and the Defence Minister said something similar to last year. The RMN also said that it would rely on GAPU to evaluate systems on offer.
Dundun - '' Seems like our short range air defence is quite stacked, with manpads, AAAs and jernas providing the cover''
More importantly, Starstreak like Jernas is networked to an early alerting system. In the past Starburst crews had to rely on other assets which provided early alerting verbally.
Thank you so much for answering my question, Marhalim.
Loreng "Using SHORAD to defend a submarine base? Just wondering what are their air defence parameters for defending such a high value target."
Yes, it is very contradictory that we have submarines which are very expensive platforms for high tech, high intensity conflict. And yet we cannot afford enough fighter aircraft to provide air cover for the base, or even a comprehensive ground based air defence.
But nobody ever said that the requirement for submarines came from the RMN.
For another thing, all of the 3 services will push to expand their capabilities. For the navy, that means eventually acquiring submarines if so allowed. But where ground based air defence is concerned, anything beyond VSHORAD might be the army's or air force's turf and it falls to them to provide.
Point defence. Even the avenger is used defend naval base in the US
Area defence is still under RMAF and we had nearby airbases in Labuan and Kuantan to provide cover to our airbases
Having said that, I hope LCS programme can be used as stepping stone for acquisition of mid range SAM in vl Mica. It's range (up to 20km), mobility (compared to jernas) and commonality (since rmn is also operating them in LCS) makes them ideally suited to malaysia.
AM - '' which are very expensive platforms for high tech, high intensity conflict.''
Submarines also have great utility in peace time or low intensity scenarios :]
AM - '' And yet we cannot afford enough fighter aircraft to provide air cover for the base, or even a comprehensive ground based air defence.''
Whilst there is indeed a need for a medium range system at Sepanggar it's not an immediate urgency in that we are not in a state of conflict or tensions with anyone. Given that the shopping list is long and cash is limited; we have to prioritise. If we were to proceed on the basis that bases which house strategic or expensive assets must be protected from the air, then we won't be able to buy anything. What we did; first buying subs and then progressively building training on the shore and support infrastructure was the right move; even if Sepanggar at the moment has no medium range system.
dundun - ''Even the avenger is used defend naval base in the US''
Yes but in their case Avenger or Stinger is a last ditch weapon operating as part of a tiered integrated network - for us it's mainly our main line of defence but something we can live with given the threat environment. Stuff like Stinger will also be useful for targets flying at low level.
Dundun,
Bad Idea To Installed With VL MICA. I think is better Try CAMM Cause it has Medium Range and Extandard Range.CAMM ADS is Gonna Replace the Raiper (Jernas 2000) for The Brits.