SHAH ALAM: Transforming the RMN. The RMN on Nov.8 made available for download its 15 to 5 trasnformation plan, three weeks ahead of the retirement of Admiral Kamarulzaman Badaruddin as it’s chief. The book, launched officially last week, is called the Strategy Document for RMN 15 to 5 Transformation Programme.
Befitting its title, the book within 100 pages tells us why the RMN embarked on the transformation plan. There is no need for me to repeat what the book says here, if you want to read it yourselves it is here. Do be patient as sometimes you need to click the link several times to download the PDF file.
Some of the highlights of the book include the planned procurement for the navy of multi domain helicopters (ASW), fast inshore craft and drones; airborne, underwater and above water ones. As the navy has already gotten the Scaneagles from the US, they only need to get the funds for the other drones.
It is also interesting to note that on page 88, it was stated that KD Hang Tuah was supposed to be retired and become a museum ship in April, this year. As the ship was finally declared a museum ship last month, we know that the plan is already running late.
Of note the navy in the book stated that the delivery of LCS 1 Maharaja Lela is to take place between 2020 to 2023.
As the book was prepared sometime back we have to wonder when the RMN realised that the LCS project was not going well as the troubles were only made known publicly, last October. I had reported recently that the LCS 1 would be delayed beyond 2019 although it was the deadline as stated in the contract between Boustead Naval Shipyard and the government. I do apologise to … for stating this again (as he had asked me not to do so after that story).
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (22)
PM-in-waiting Anwar will change the word transformation to reformation, perhaps.
Hmmm..kecewa dengan management pertahanan negara sekarang.. tak serancak jiran serantau..
Downloaded, thanks Marhalim. Will read through next week. This is really a good step forward towards governance in Malaysia, at least communicating a proposal plan even if there are still significant concerns over execution.
Opinion - Seems to me either the Armed Forces are taking advantage of the political landscape to publish their wish list, or this is indeed a new policy of the commanders. Hopefully it will lead to lasting change and more advancement in the way we do things.
Let's see.
@Haziq Ali
Pendek kata, ekonomi jiran serantau lebih maju.
Dari segi management, rancangan pertahanan itu memang biasa mengambil masa bertahun2, apa2 masalah yang ada, berakar daripada policy lalu, sampai ke abad ke20 juga
The Maharaja Lela although is delayed but if it is delivered in 2020 still followed the plan, isnt it?
The delayed due to the supply of IPMS equipment, Who is supplier? Why?
The plan has the time schedule now, everybody can follow the progress.
And looks like the RMN asset will not have much improvement until 2050. The next 2 subs will be replacing the current subs. Even the LMS project will last till 2050.
RMN could be a weak navy in the future compare to the closest neighbours. Will RMN able to deal with SCS issue in the future if bad change to worse?
Rileks la bro..filipina transform military diorg 2-3 tahun je.. Beli aset ni mudah.. Yg penting ada fulus...
When we faith on hope, we are hopeless.
As i.have said before the reality is perhaps we have to look at a mich smaller navy.
Our localisation strategy also seems to reault in delays so maybe cut our navy to size maybe by half, forget about localisation (which may never be efficient because of lack of scale) and just get the best value from procurement. Look at ourself in the mirror and act the part
@ Chua
The 15 to 5 plan was hatched way before the change of government. I have read it partially and to be frank the final type of ships should be more than 5 but that wouldn't give it a cool name right? The Samudra training ship is not included, as is a new "National Research Vessel" that is also not in the list. It is a really thorough plan, taking into consideration everything that the navy does, even to its reserves.
But there are still areas that can be improved, and cost saved. A tweak to the plan to correlate to the APMM Pelan Perancangan Strategik Maritim Malaysia 2040 should be done. IMO PVs can be left to APMM, as both the Kedah Class and the future DAMEN OPV of APMM will be doing the same mission. Money saved could be used to accelerate the Gowind LCS buy, and can also be used to buy additional subs.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/another-look-rmn-15-to-5/
Still it is a great and revolutionary plan from a military leader, and surely the 15 to 5 plan will be a great legacy for Admiral Kamarulzaman Badaruddin leadership for many years to come.
Next I hope to read the CAP55 plan of TUDM. Is it ready yet?
This is a lesson and we have to be honest that we may need to also rightsize the navy as well as review the need to localise production. We dont have economies of scale nor the design capability. We should just procure efficiently to maximise value. I say here is right size. Maybe we could have a smaller no of ships but longer endurance?.
With budget around usd3. 5 to usd4 billion per annum in the next 5 years or so which is even lower by 25% compared to pinoy armed forces, there is no way we can afford 15 to 5 or cap 55 unless defense budget is increased at least 20% per annum without fail from 2020 onwards.
Realistically for RMN we can only afford the 6 maharaja lela and the 2 subs for the next 20 years or so while TUDM maximum 36 fighters at any one time.