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Malaysias

Military Modernization
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The 4x4 Condor APC during a parade, the Condors are to be replaced by the indigenously designed AV-8 8x8 AFV Dzirhan Mahadzir

In general, funding for defence in Malaysia is determined by the allocation under the Malaysia Plans, which govern Malaysian government spending for all aspects of the country over a five year period; the current one being the 10th Malaysia Plan of 2011-2015. This allocation is divided into two segments; the operating expenditure allocation, which governs the running and operational costs of government Ministries and sectors and the Development expenditure allocation which goes towards procurement and the building of infrastructure for government Ministries and sectors. In the case of development expenditure, flexibility is built in by the provision of a special allocation mechanism in which the government can, following approval by the cabinet, allocate additional funding for programmes not covered under the Malaysia Plans allocation. Theoretically based on such, the military modernisation of Malaysia should thus have developed upon a steady and even pattern but however in practicality, that has not been the case for a variety of reasons.

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012

by Dzirhan Mahadzir
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dding to the problem in Malaysia is the current increasing politicisation in regard to defence procurement in Malaysia. The opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition, as part of their political campaign against the Barisan National ruling coalition, has often claimed that the purchase of military equipment in Malaysia is not only unnecessary but also a mechanism for enriching those with close ties to the ruling political establishment and to some extent has successfully projected this perception to the general public, particularly in light of the various issues surrounding the circumstances of the purchase of the Royal Malaysian Navys two Scorpene class submarines. The resulting effect has made the government fairly cautious on defence purchases particularly with a looming general election which must be called before April 2013. In 2008, the announcement of the planned purchase of 12 Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for the RMAF became a public issue with the result that the bipartisan parliamentary Public Accounts Committee held an inquiry into the tender process. The inquiry turned up nothing untoward and only recommended that the government appoint an independent panel to assess whether the price paid for the helicopters was the best possible. However the result

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In 2008, the announcement of the planned purchase of 12 Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for the RMAF became a public issue
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was that the Malaysian government, in wanting the entire issue to die down, then decided to put on hold the signing of the contract to purchase the EC725s until April 2010, much to the annoyance of the RMAF. Given the situation it is likely that the Malaysian government is likely to delay major modernisation of the Malaysian armed forces until after the general election is held and won though even then any such modernisation would be subject to economic factors. In the recent budget estimates for 2012, a monetary figure of the costs of expected military projects for the 10th Malaysia plan period was listed though this release was only as to the total costs without any details as to the specifics. The projected figures released are discussed below in the context of the armed forces and separate service modernisation requirements. It should be noted that the total cost listing is based on programmes that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) want to carry out rather than what it would actually receive as each programme would be subject

PT-91M tanks of the Malaysian Army, no plans exist to buy further tanks to supplement the 48 currently in service Dzirhan Mahadzir

to specific approval from the Malaysian government on a case by case basis. The tri-service equipment procurement requirement programmes of the MAF is listed as costing a total of $315.36 million. Much of this is anticipated to be on C4ISR equipment for the MAF as a whole particularly in giving the MAF a network-centric warfare capability and a secured satellite communication network. The requirement for 1-3 amphibious operation capable multi-purpose support ships is also said to be under the MAF requirement programmes rather than the Navy requirement programmes given the joint service nature of its operation. Also expected to be under this listing are the equipment to outfit and furnish a planned headquarters for the Malaysian Armed Forces Joint Force Headquarters which is responsible for all joint operations in Malaysia and overseas. The MAF JFHQ currently operates out of part of the Ministry of Defence complex in the capital of Kuala Lumpur but plans call for a new headquarters complex at an as yet to be determined location to be built under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

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Sukhoi SU-30MKM, the RMAF is close to reaching full operational capability with the aircraft Dzirhan Mahadzir

The Malaysian Army lists $2.49 billion as to the total cost of the equipment procurement programmes it wants to carry out, it is uncertain whether the $2.39 billion AV-8 indigenous 8x8 AFV programme which runs from 2011-2018 is under this estimated cost as there is a possibility that some or all the funding for this programme comes under a special government allocation rather than under the army requirements. The AV-8 will replace the Armys 6x6 Sibmas Fire Support vehicles and 4x4 Condor APCs and the programme calls for 257 vehicles in 12 variants to be built by Malaysian company DEFTECH with the hull based on the FNSS PARS body and Thales to provide the electronic architecture and systems for the vehicles. Among the variants is an ATGW vehicle which thus indicates that the army be looking for an ATGW to arm the vehicle with. Among some of the

Malaysian Army

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requirements that the Army is known to be pursuing under the 10th Malaysia Plan include at least either a squadron of attack or utility helicopters, a small number of selfpropelled artillery, an additional regiment of 18 Multiple Rocket launchers to supplement thee two regiments of ASTROS II launchers in service and an overall battlefield management system. The Army is also in the midst of developing a future soldier system known as the Soldier Advanced Kombat Technology Integrated (SAKTI) with current status being at Stage Two of a Six stage development plan with the establishment of an experimental platoon along with a company headquarters for the programme. Little has been revealed by the Army on the programme though it is known that some of the systems are being developed internally by the Armys Signals Regiment and much is focused upon integrating systems already in use by the Army. The Army has also made it clear that there are no plans to purchase additional main battle tanks to supplement the 48 PT-91M MBTs currently in service. The Army is also planning for the eventual replacement of its
Army Signal Regiment displaying conceptual mock up of Army Future Soldier Dzirhan Mahadzir

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Next Generation Patrol Vessel KD Kedah, plans call for the class to be upgraded along with a follow on improved batch of six ships to be built Royal Malaysian Navy

weapon systems. The vessels currently only have a 76mm main gun and two 30mm cannon as their only weapons. Plans to build two upgraded versions of the two Lekiu class frigates in service were cancelled by the government a year ago. The ships were to be built locally with assistance from BAE Systems. Malaysia was subsequently invited

The Malaysian Army lists $2.49 billion as to the total cost of the equipment procurement programmes it wants to carry out

to participate in the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme but declined. The RMN is still keen on additional frigates to add to existing fleet of two Lekiu and two Kasturi class ships but is likely, for the immediate future, having to settle on a possible upgrade and SLEP of the Lekius (the Kasturis already beginning such a programme) rather than obtain new frigates. Starburst and IGLA MANPAD systems. The Royal Malaysian Navy lists a cost of $3.29 billion for its procurement programmes under the 10th Malaysia Plan. Part of it is expected to go towards the follow on to the Kedah class Next Generation Patrol Vessels (NGPV), though the new ships will be more heavily armed than their predecessors with anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Although the RMN has called the programme the Littoral Combat Ship, the design, which will be built locally by Boustead Naval Shipsyards in conjunction with a foreign partner, will be a conventional hull design and at the time of writing, indications are that DCNS and its Gowind class design will be selected for the hull though the ships sensor, combat and weapon systems will be a mix of systems determined by the RMN though Boustead and DCNS are pushing for the acceptance of their recommendations for the ships systems. The RMN also has a requirement for 6-12 ASW helicopters with the US, strongly promoting the MH-60R Seahawk to fulfill that requirement. Another programme that the RMN is said to be wanting to carry out is the uparming of the Kedah Class NGPVs with anti-ship and anti-air

The RMAF has put a $1.59 billion estimated cost on the procurement programme it wants to carry out. Part of this amount is expected to consist of ongoing payments for the earlier purchases of four A400M aircraft and 12 EC725 helicopters. The RMAF also has a requirement for the purchase of at least 18 multi-role combat aircraft to be delivered around 2015 to replace its MiG-29 fleet. Five aircraft are said to be under consideration; the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin F-16 and the Saab Gripen with both the Super Hornet and Typhoon being strongly marketed by Boeing and BAE Systems. The RMAF also has a requirement for an Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft though this has not been listed under their funding request but instead the RMAF has lobbied for it to be funded on a national project level on the basis that the aircraft in peacetime can also conduct surveillance of Malaysias borders and EEZ areas along with assisting other government agencies in various tasks. The RMAF is also working

Royal Malaysian Air Force

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towards improving the ordnance and weapons systems of its aircraft, notably the acquisition of JDAM kits in phases from 2012-2014 and the planned purchase of AIM9X sidewinders of its F/A-18C/D Hornets. The decision on the choice of MRCA may have an impact on the RMAFs munitions

RMAF S-61 helicopter 15 of the current 28 helicopter fleet are to be upgraded for service till 2025 Malaysian Ministry of Defence

plans, particularly if the Gripen, Eurofighter or Rafale were selected as a significant portion of those aircrafts munitions are not in service with the RMAF in contrast to a selection of the F-16 or Superhornet as with the RMAF already operating F/A-18 Hornets, there already exists legacy munitions compatibility. The RMAFs 18 Sukhoi SU-

The RMAF also has a requirement for the purchase of at least 18 multi-role combat aircraft to be delivered around 2015 to replace its MiG-29 fleet

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RMAF MiG-29, a new MRCA is expected to replace it by 2015 Dzirhan Mahadzir