SHAH ALAM: A two sub fleet. It appears despite the RMN 15-to-5 plan, the navy is not destined to operate four submarines in the near future. Infact, it is likely in 20 years time it will continue with a two-submarine fleet with new ones as the current Prime Minister-class are almost near retirement by that time.
This scenario was revealed by RMN Chief Tan Sri Kamarulzaman Badaruddin in an interview at Kota Kinabalu today. (Feb. 2, 2018) Of course he did not say outright but that was the implication when he stated this.
Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the Navy plans to get one between 2031 and 2035 and another between 2036 and 2040.
If we go by the 2031 and 2035 timeline, KD Tun Abdul Rahman will already be in service for some 25 years already. It came home in 2009, almost ten years ago, two years after it was commissioned. Twenty-five years is a long time for a submarine even though she may not be at sea all the time- due to refits and other operational reasons.
KD Tun Razak will be 27 years old when the fourth submarine is supposed to enter the fleet. It must be noted also that the timeline stated by the Chief was a best case scenario. And we all know that money does not grow on trees.
Of course both could soldier on until 2040 but they need expensive SLEP to be able to do that. So for the next refit, in 10 years time, the government must decide whether or not to conduct a SLEP to enable them to continue in service for another 20 years until the new boats are procured and in service.
From The Star
KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Malaysian Navy plans to get two more submarines in the next 20 years as it prepares to face “new challenges”.
Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the Navy plans to get one between 2031 and 2035 and another between 2036 and 2040.
“We are faced with new challenges in our efforts to safeguard the security of our waters.
“We are constantly improving our strategies and increasing our abilities to face these challenges,” he said during the handing over of duties for the Submarine Force Commander at the Sepanggar Naval Base here on Monday.
He said this is part of the Navy’s effort to modernise and keep its assets up to date to face current challenges.
Meanwhile, Kamarulzaman said the handing over of duties of the Submarine Force Commander between Capt Abdullah Sani Ismail and Rear Admiral Zulhelmy Ithnain will see Zulhelmy take on a heavy task in maintaining security at sea.
“Rear Admiral Zulhelmy will be shouldering the task of making sure our strategic assets are in the best condition to face any challenge,” he said.
He said the presence of submarines in Malaysian waters gave the country a maritime advantage, especially in dealing with issues such as the overlapping claims in the South China Sea.Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/02/26/navy-plans-to-get-two-more-submarines-by-2040/#lCge1Po7D5uyX3PF.99
It is also of note that Kamarulzaman did not touch the elephant in the room while he was there at Kota Kinabalu naval base. Perhaps he was not asked about it by media. Oh, well.
Anyhow, the new Submarine Force commander Rear Admiral Zulhemy Ithnain was the CO of Tunku Abdul Rahman when she returned home in September, 2009. He was previously with Joint Force headquarters before returning to the Scorpene’s lair.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (39)
That's my main concern. Successful implementation of the 15/5 is subject to factors beyond the RMN's control. The RMN's priority is reducing its logistical footprint but if it waits too long, by the time cash is available, DCNS might not be producing the Scorpene any longer. Similarly, the RMN wants more LCSs and Kedahs but if it waits too long, the initial LCSs and Kedahs will have systems that need replacing and if the initial and follow on batches don't share much commonality [same applies to everything]; then it will defeat the purpose of the 15/5.
@ marhalim
Probably you don't realise, but that was the plan all along.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/15-to-5-and-lms/
That is why i put in my idea on the subs here.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/exercise-with-indian-air-force/#comment-299275
Reply
Yes probably I was thinking of other things
Very sad indeed. Lately I keep wondering when KD Tun Hussein Onn (at least) will enter service..
@ azlan
At least the navy has a solid and achievable plan until 2045 that is put out for everyone to see.
The plan for additional new subs only in 2031 is grounded on reality, with the 2nd batch of kedah's, LMS and MRSS is put at a higher priority than the 2nd batch of submarines. If you study the plan, each RMK is planned with spendings capped at around usd 2 billion, which is what the government has allocated previously. It really shows that the 15 to 5 plan is achievable if it gets the same funding every RMK as before. No requests that would be outside of what the government can afford. But that would mean some items would be at the end of the queue, and the submarines turn would only be in 2031.
next 20 years?? at that time i believe more advance submarine will be produced and scorpene may be unable to keep up with the advancement (yes, we can upgrade it but will cost a lot of $$). IMO, it's better if we get submarine first for the next RMK
Off topic
Indonesia has ordered 4x Wing Loong 1 Armed UAVs. To be based in Kalimantan.
.... - ''At least the navy has a solid and achievable plan until 2045 that is put out for everyone to see.''
Why? Because you happen to personally agree with it? Note that the words ''solid'' and ''achievable'' are very premature [very early days] and dependent on various factors.
First of all, the RMN's circumstances are different compared to the RMAF and army - despite your constant direct comparisons there are various factors at play which determine how the various services go about doing things. Secondly, there are a lot of doubts as whether or not the 15/5 is what the RMN needs or whether it will deliver what it's intended to deliver. Not only doubts on my part [which don''t matter] but more importantly doubts within those in uniform. On paper it's a great plan however.
.... - ''The plan for additional new subs only in 2031 is grounded on reality, with the 2nd batch of kedah’s, LMS and MRSS is put at a higher priority than the 2nd batch of submarines.''
Irrespective of what's ''grounded on reality'' the key fact remains that the 15/5 is intended to achieve greater commonality and by doing so generate costs savings. If the RMN has to wait too long to get follow ships, those follow on ships will have less and less commonality with existing ships and if that happens it will defeat he whole purpose of the 15/5.
@ Azlan
" Why? Because you happen to personally agree with it? Note that the words ”solid” and ”achievable” are very premature [very early days] and dependent on various factors. "
Nope, I have things I don't agree with the 15 to 5 too as based on my 1st post. But if you go through the plan disregarding external factors, the plan itself is really achievable, as they plan on the same amount of what they got in previous RMKs, which is around usd 2 billion per RMK. As the plan based on realistic budgets, that is why they can only plan for a new sub in 2031, which i don't agree, but based on what other items they want to get like LMS, Kedah batch 2 and MRSS, is logical. The main point is, the navy put out all the plans for everyone to see (which is a radical change in malaysian military leadership), and we can see their priorities, and know why the subs can be had only in 2031. Probably it won't give all the capabilities the navy aspires to, but the compromised 15 to 5 plan is something the government cannot say it is beyond their means.
" Irrespective of what’s ”grounded on reality” the key fact remains that the 15/5 is intended to achieve greater commonality and by doing so generate costs savings. If the RMN has to wait too long to get follow ships, those follow on ships will have less and less commonality with existing ships and if that happens it will defeat he whole purpose of the 15/5. "
Remember older ships will need to be regularly refitted, and obsolete parts can be swapped with more modern parts that is common with the new ships. The navy planned based on what resources that are available, with the most logical priorities.
Off topic
South african navy new patrol ships. Damen Stan Patrol 6211.
https://cdn2.defesaaereanaval.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Artist-impression-of-the-Stan-Patrol-6211_lowres.jpg
top speed 26.5 knots
range at top speed 4000nm.
Crew 62 persons
(compare to LMS68 top speed 22 knots, range at economical speed of 16 knots 2000nm, crew 45 persons)
.... - ''the plan itself is really achievable, as they plan on the same amount of what they got in previous RMKs''
The plan is only ''achievable'' if enough cash is channeled from the retirement of existing ships back into the 15/5 at a steady rate. The whole idea of the 15/5 and why the government quickly approved it [notwithstanding initial complains from the Treasury] is that no extra cash has to be allocated; it just comes from the present budget allocated to operate and maintain certain ship classes. As it stands, even taking into account what will be retired soon barely was enough for the 4 LMSs and there wasn't anything left to fully fit them out.
.... - ''Remember older ships will need to be regularly refitted, and obsolete parts can be swapped with more modern parts that is common with the new ships.''
What commonality do/will the FACs and Laksamanas have with assets that have been ordered? Refitting involves replacing what is vital for the ship to continue in service, whether it's the electricals, upkeep to the hull or overhauling generators.
... - ''The navy planned based on what resources that are available, with the most logical priorities.''
The 2 other services do as well; they just have different ways of going about things. The RMN - take note - was forced to adopt the 15/5 because it was in a more precarious position compared to its sister services; with regards to what urgently needed to be replaced and the huge costs involved in keeping them operational.