SHAH ALAM: Genting Etika Sdn Bhd has been selected to supply, install, test and commissioned the new Radar Electronic Support Measure (ESM) system for the RMN’s 23rd Frigate Squadron. The ships of the squadron are of course, KD Lekiu (30) and KD Jebat (29).
According to industry sources, the new RESM to be installed on board both ships is the Thales Vigile 100 Mark 2. The same RESM has also been selected for the six RMN’s LCS. Genting Etika is also the sub-contractor for the RESM package for the LCS, being built by Boustead Naval Shipyard at Lumut.
The contract to Genting Etika was made public only recently although the decision to award the tender to the company was made on Oct 26, 2015.
According to Thales : “ Vigile Light Weight (LW) is the latest generation Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) system from Thales. Drawing on Thales’ excellent pedigree in Naval EW systems and designed explicitly for small platforms, Vigile LW provides a real-time tactical view of the surrounding area – delivering effective situational awareness and threat warning.
Vigile LW’s impressive performance in complex littoral environments, combined with its low power consumption and compact, lightweight design, make it perfectly suited to small vessels. VIGILE is a class of modular ESM/ELINT systems, addressing present and future littoral and blue water operations.
As a primary sensor, Vigile is the key component of the EW suite. It is fully integrated into the Combat System and plays a vital part in the platforms situation awareness, self-protection and ELINT capabilities. In multi-platform, networked-enabled operations, it is a major contributor to enhanced operational awareness.
Drawing on THALES’ excellent pedigree in Naval EW systems, being incumbent supplier for both UK and French Navies, the VIGILE family is in service around the world, supplying many Navies with the capabilities required for effective situation awareness.
The publication of the award to Genting Etika marked the completion of the tender exercise for the 23rd Squadron, all published in June, last year. Malaysian Defence had reported previously that the Electro Optical Tracking System was awarded to Qiblatin Synergy Sdn Bhd with the Chess Dynamics Sea Eagle FCEO while DML Technologies Sdn Bhd (Terma) got the navigation radar contract.
The two other contracts were Kharisma International Sdn Bhd (Degaussing system) and ME & O Fleet Support Sdn Bhd (Ship Data Distribution System). Both systems selected remained unknown at the moment.
Yes perhaps I was wrong to say that Lekiu class was to undergo a SLEP. But with five sub-systems replaced, it is certainly not a routine refit programme. It is more like a modest mid-life update.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (27)
hopely can change new both sam and ssm
Proud to have so many defence contractors in Malaysia. Shows that we are advancing technologically laterally with the rest of the world.
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The More, The Merrier
Yes but unfortunately the large numbers of defence "contractors" has not led to Malaysia making any progress in self-sufficiency and in many cases delays and things going over budget have been caused by the local companies. No doubt local companies have made money thanks to the government wanting to go "local" as far as possible but it has often been at the expense of the MAF and taxpayer.
Nanonano
No lahhhh. What defense contractor? They are just local "representative" of foreign defense companies. Do they have the knowledge @ the know how to produce such products?? The answer is no.. unless these so called "defense contractors" can offer the MAF products that is at lease 60 pcent made in Malaysia (the material, technology and ect) they are just a waste of money. What 4? Bg makan org tempatan? At what expense? Better go directly to the supplier la. What? The supplier dont provide after sales service ke bro?
Reply
Sarcasm is the use of irony to mock or convey contempt
Nanonano & Marhalim
I seh man. I didnt realize that u guys were being sarcastic. I do apologize. But i stand with my statement.. this "local" company policy is a bunch of bull €r@p.
RMN most advance ship n the best in Asean until Formidable class appear..sadly we only have two...
Hope the upgrade process smooth n success...
Marhalim and me have lived the malaysian defence industry scenarios almost parallel to our lifetime shed. It is something to be proud of indeed. Her Her Her...
When I was in school, I used to daydream of having my own corporation of defence products, something like Northrop Corporation, a name that give me a chill at that time, due to the fact that it supplied Malaysia with the evergreen Northrop F5E Tiger II, a name that I would love to emulate, something like Hang Jebat Corporation, but alas, I was not meant to be an engineer nor a business tycoon, i dont even know how to design and produce a pencil, so I keep it to myself, till now.. Her her her..
Micheal,
True but at the end of the day, both countries have different threat perceptions. Even if cash was not an issue, I doubt if the RMN would want something the size of the Formidables. Bear in mind that the Formidables are intended to perform different roles compared to the Lekius; hence their heavier displacement, longer range sensors and heavier weapons fit.
Will we see some changes in our military procurement after tppa signed?
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From the little reading I have done on TPPA, it will not.