SHAH ALAM: AS it was obvious from the earlier report, I was in Bangkok last week for the Defense and Security 2015 show. As I was working for a regional publication for the show, I held back reporting for Malaysian Defence apart from the AV4 in Camo piece.
Anyhow since I am back home, lets dive into things which I found out at the show concerning the Armed Forces police and not to forget, the MMEA. For example, the Polaris MRZR (below) – 10 in service with PDRM in ESSCOM – is now supported by Global Komited Sdn Bhd, which recently signed contract to supply 8 Jaws APC for the police.
Speaking about MMEA, I did a story on the Aselsan SMASH 30mm last September. Basically, I reported that Aselsan had issued a release stating that it had won a contract to supply six SMASH 30mm guns to the MMEA. The release however did not state the programme which the RWS had been contracted for, either the NGPC or the arming of six MMEA patrol vessels.
I can report now that the SMASH guns have been selected for the NGPC programme, which put it in a great position for the other project. That said personally I think the 30mm gun is way too big for the unarmed MMEA vessels though that is the type of weapon specified by the tender. A 12.7mm RWS like the Aselsan STAMP is probably a better solution for these boats.
As for the AV4, please check out the video below for a better view of the vehicle. The mini-gun fitted on the turret is a replica only and not the real thing.
Meanwhile, I spoke to a DSME spokesman about the corvettes that they are proposing to RMN. The spokesman said DSME expected the project to start once Malaysia overcome “the current financial difficulties”. He said its Malaysian partner was still NMEL Sdn Bhd.
Anyhow, word is that the Agusta Westland AW159 is the odds-on favourite to fulfill the RMN’s ASW requirements. However, I have yet to find out whether funding – supposedly under RMK11 – will be released or not.
By the way, the Thai MOD Defence Technology Institute unveiled the latest prototype of its Black Widow Spider 8X8 at the show. Some people commented that it looked very similar to the Singapore Terrex 8X8.
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I must admit it looked very similar to the Singapore vehicle but that is my opinion. The Black Widow was developed with a British firm, Ricardo and also Thai firm, Chaiseri ( the builder of the AV4). Yes, the digital camouflage of the 8X8 looked similar to the one the AV4 displayed at the show. Most probably painted by the same guys at Chaiseri!
Anyhow, the cabin at the back feels much roomier than our own Gempita. However, as it is a prototype, it is an unfair comparison. Having a 30mm RWS turret and an engine located to the front right of the vehicle certainly helps
As in other regional shows, China defence companies made their presence from state owned Norinco to smaller companies. One of them is Bosma, an optics company which manufactures “binoculars, spotting scope, rifle-scope, red dot sight, laser range finder, astronomical telescope and night vision.
A representative said their red dot sight retails for US$60 dollars only (above). Perhaps something to consider for our fiscally challenged services.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (25)
Can I get a Bosma?
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Of course you can. Just ask them at their website. You could even try to be their local agent.
The 30mm is just the right calibre for a patrol boat. Most of the hand me downs from polis marin and tldm has 40mm bofors on them. 12.7mm might be good to stop a sampan or a speed boat. But it won't stop a hijacked cargo ship or the like...
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For the NGPC I think its the perfect fit but for the six unarmed boats that MMEA have I am not too sure whether the 30mm guns are suitable. Its about whether their hulls can withstand a much heavier gun and mounting. Its not about firepower.
Marhalim,.
Did you notice if the "Asian Pacific Defence Reporter" was at the show? It used to be run by David Shaw who was based in Bangkok; good writer who knew his subject matter well. He later ran Asian Defence Diplomacy which is Malaysian owned but now is based in Singapore.
From a commonality viewpoint the Wildcat makes prefect sense. To me at least, it's too cramped and something with more space and legs is needed but I guess one can't be too choosy. The replacement for Sea Skua is IR guided and looks promising.
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Yes I think so ...
The ex-police Brook Marine boats have a 20mm Oerlikon. For the peacetime constabulary type duties the MMEA performs and is expected to perform; a 30mm would seem to be an overkill. Sure, there might be times where a 30mm will needed but most of the time; a 7.62mm round will do just fine, especially given that the weapons is mostly for self-defence and to provide boarding crews with cover.
... "MMEA 12.7mm cannot stop a hijacked cargo ship"
That's when you call in the Navy. A sensible solution and a lesson in jointness. It's not possible to make every asset capable of handling every threat, otherwise every ground vehicle would be a tank.
AM,
Agreed. There might be times where a 12.7mm isn't sufficient for the job at hand but also times when a 30mm also isn't sufficient! But what is the likelihood that a MMEA ship will find itself in a situation where 30mm rounds make a difference?
We must not over look the fact that the primary role of the MMEA is to conduct constabulary type duties at sea and that the primary role of its ship weapons are for self-defence.
@am
With your reasoning the Mmea should not have its own special force boarding teams.
30mm slugs for across the bow warning shots and to disable and stop a civilian ship such as trawlers and up to cargo ships is perfectly within the Mmea operational scope. Let the navy focus more on protecting our sovereignty from other countries and external forces and leave the civil policing duties of the seas to the Mmea (and so be equipped for those duties)
I don't think getting a cheap chinese red dot is worth it. I bet it wont gonna hold the zero due to the vibration.
Besides there are plenty of well known optics manufacturers that offer sub-$100 red dot optics.
The DMSE people are either too optimistic or they know something we don't. Why are they so confident?
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Salesmen in general are always optimistic especially in public.
... "Let the navy focus more on protecting our sovereignty from other countries and external forces and leave the civil policing duties of the seas to the Mmea (and so be equipped for those duties)"
Your view is outdated. Threats to sovereignty do not come only from state actors- what do the Suluks tell you? The Navy does not only respond to state threats, MMEA does not handle only civil or non-state actors.
"With your reasoning the Mmea should not have its own special force boarding teams."
If their tasks were the same, sharing one team would be warranted. But no, Paskal handles infiltration, protection of installations, shipboard security, coordination with naval forces, direct action and so on. Yours is a poor example to say that a 30mm will let the MMEA handle threats without Navy help, which is not even true.