NGV Tech wins work with Daewoo shipbuilder

Malaysian shipbuilder NGV Tech has signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering to construct two 250-foot training and patrol vessels for the Malaysian navy. 

"In the period of 24 months, we will collaborate to design, build and deliver the naval vessels," NGV Tech Executive Chairman Datuk Zulkifli Shariff said.

"DSME will do the design. The vessel blocks will be transported to Malaysia and we will start joining it together at our 24-hectare shipyard in Sijangkang," Shariff said.

NGV Tech was founded in 1992 and is based in the city of Telok Panglima Garang, in the state of Selangor on the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula. Sijangkang is on the coast of Selangor.

The company offers design, fabrication, installation as well as repair and maintenance services for all type of ships including buoy tender vessels, offshore crew boats, patrol craft, landing craft, harbor tugs, hydro-graphic craft and strike craft.

NGV Tech builds around 40 ships annually in Sijangkang, generating around $160 million in revenues, a statement from NGV Tech said.

Malaysia inks defence deals worth $3.24 bn at DSA '10

Malaysia has signed defence contracts worth RM10.355 billion (USD 3.24 billion) at the ongoing Defence Services Asia 2010 exhibition here to acquire a number of defence equipment and systems from domestic and international companies.

The deals include eight contracts, five MoUs, three letters of acceptance and four letters of intent, Malaysian official news agency Bernama said.

Among the major agreements is an RM128.5 million deal for the Royal Malaysian Navy to acquire Scorpene-type submarine navigation safety, combat systems, sensors and periscope simulator.

Another RM100 million contract, signed during the international defence exhibition, is for the supply of articles, services and technical assistance for the SU-30MKM (Sukhoi) aircraft which the country is acquiring from Russia.

Deals have also been signed to get helicopters, tanks and a range of arms and artillery for the Malaysian Army, the news agency said.

Malaysia's Submarine Scandal Surfaces in France

A potentially explosive scandal in Malaysia over the billion-dollar purchase of French submarines, a deal engineered by then-Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak, has broken out of the domestic arena with the filing of a request to investigate bribery and kickbacks from the deal in a Paris court.

Although the case has been contained for eight years in the cozy confines of Malaysia's courts and parliament, which are dominated by the ruling National Coalition, French lawyers William Bourdon, Renaud Semerdjian and Joseph Breham put an end to that when they filed it with Parisian prosecutors on behalf of the Malaysian human rights organization Suaram, which supports good-government causes.

Judges in the Paris Prosecution Office have been probing a wide range of corruption charges involving similar submarine sales and the possibility of bribery and kickbacks to top officials in France, Pakistan and other countries. The Malaysian piece of the puzzle was added in two filings, on Dec. 4, 2009 and Feb. 23 this year.

For two years, Parisian prosecutors, led by investigating judges Francoise Besset and Jean-Christophe Hullin, have been gingerly investigating allegations involving senior French political figures and the sales of submarines and other weaponry to governments all over the world. French news reports have said the prosecutors have backed away from some of the most serious charges out of concern for the political fallout.

The allegations relate to one of France's biggest defense conglomerates, the state-owned shipbuilder DCN, which merged with the French electronics company Thales in 2005 to become a dominant force in the European defense industry. DCN's subsidiary Armaris is the manufacturer of Scorpene-class diesel submarines sold to India, Pakistan and Malaysia among other countries. All of the contracts, according to the lawyers acting for Suaram, a Malaysian human rights NGO, are said to be suspect.

With Najib having moved on from the defense portfolio he held when the deal was put together in 2002 to become prime minister and head of the country's largest political party, the mess has the potential to become a major liability for the government and the United Malays National Organisation. Given the power of UMNO, it is unlikely the scandal would ever get any airing in a Malaysian court, which is presumably why Suaram reached out to French prosecutors.

"The filings are very recent and have so far prompted a preliminary police inquiry on the financial aspects of the deal," said a Paris-based source familiar with France's defense establishment. "There isn't a formal investigation yet. The investigation will most likely use documents seized at DCN in the course of another investigation, focusing on bribes paid by DCN in Pakistan."

Contract on Scorpene submarine maintenance yet to be signed

The government has yet to formalise the Integrated Service and Support (ISS) contract with Boustead DCNS Naval Corp Sdn Bhd (BDNC) for the maintenance of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s two Scorpene submarines.

Defence industry sources told The Malay Mail that although Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had told Parliament last week that the cost of maintaining the submarines had been capped at RM270 million per year, no formal agreement had been signed.

According to the sources, it is still unclear whether BDNC is agreeable to the new arrangement. Officials from BDNC declined to respond when contacted by The Malay Mail.

However, an official statement on the matter is expected next week. Sources said the formal contractsigning could take place during the upcoming Defence Services Asia 2010 show to be held from April 19 to 21.

BDNC is a joint venture between BHIC Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd and France-based DCNS S.A.

BHIC is a subsidiary of publiclisted Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd. BDNC engineers and technicians are already stationed at the RMN base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah, to conduct maintenance and support for KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, one of two Perdana Menteri-class submarines of the RMN, as part of the warranty programme included in the procurement contract.

During Lima 2009, it was announced the government awarded a contract worth RM187.8 million to DCNS for the procurement of operational-level maintenance spare parts and support and test equipment for the Perdana enteri class submarines.

Military procurement is more important?

During the era of Mao Zedong, there was a great saying "rather nukes than trousers". However, it has turned into a negative adjective later.

Of course Malaysia will not turn into such kind of country. But according to the annual report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the total imports of weapons for Malaysia over the past five years has soared by 722% compared to the previous five years. Even the Defense Minister does not deny it.

Do we need to buy so many weapons? Would the country still have enough of resources to develop education and promote economic transformation after the budget has been spent on military equipment?

Malaysia has been running a budget deficit for 13 years and it is a record-breaking deficit this year, amounting over RM51.1 billion, or 7.4% of gross domestic product (GDP). The central government debt has also made a record increase by 18.3%, reaching RM362.5 billion. It accounts for 52.4% of gross national product (GNP). Averagely, each Malaysian is bearing RM13,426 of debt.

As the financial situation has been deteriorating, the government is trying everything possible to cut expenses, including reducing 20% of school funding, reducing sugar subsidies and it is also planning to increase fuel prices. Schools will now have to bear the cost of utilities and the burden of the poor has been increased. It is really hard to understand why the government still increases military spending.

Singapore's military procurement grew by only 146% and Indonesia grew by 84%, but why has Malaysia grown by 722%, the highest among the three? Old weapons need to be replaced but does it need to surge by seven times? There is no war in Southest Asia, and there is no sign showing an outburst of conflict.

ASEAN has already signed the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone with many countries and Malaysia has also been protected by the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Basically, we are not facing any safety problem. But Malaysia has bought two submarines, six frigates and 26 fighter aircraft over the past five years.

Malaysia spent about RM3.4 billion to buy 18 Su fighters and RM4.6 billion to buy two submarines.

Submarine completes dive successfully

Malaysia’s first submarine, the Scorpene-class KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, successfully underwent underwater trials in the South China Sea yesterday.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a technical team was aboard during the submarine’s dive to monitor its progress under water.

“The dive was successfully completed by 4pm. Everything was pronounced to be okay,” Dr Ahmad Zahid said in an SMS.

The trials were carried out at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah.

It was earlier reported that the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was unable to dive after a mechanical defect was discovered by engineers.

The problem forced the delay of its test in tropical waters, which was supposed to be completed at the end of last month.

Last week, Zahid said the technical defect, which affected the submarine’s high-pressure air valve system, had been rectified by the manufacturer and contractor under a warranty agreement.

The submarine arrived in Malaysia in September last year.

Repair Works On KD TAR Completed

Malaysia's first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (KD TAR) which was reported to have a mechanical fault, has been completely repaired and is expected to be go under water on Feb 22, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the supplier and local engineers had tested the submarine and found that it was now functioning properly and that the mechanical fault had been fully repaired.

"There is no cost to be borne by the government because the submarine is still under guarantee and let's not make any speculation about this," he told reporters after opening the Armed Forces Maal Hijrah celebration at the Wisma Pertahanan, here Friday.

The fault on the submarine was detected on Jan 17, following maintenance work conducted at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah.

The damage involved a part that channels water pressure movement which caused the submarine's failure to go under water.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said rumour that the construction of Gong Kedak Air Force base in Kelantan did not meet the required specifications should not be entertained until investigation on the matter was completed.

Malaysian Scorpene submarine develops snags

Kuala Lumpur: Just five months after induction, Malaysia's first submarine, a French made Scorpene has developed serious problems, raising question mark over India's acquisition of the same deepwater warfare machine.

The defects in the submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, named after country's first Prime Minister, have delayed navy's tropical water trials which had to be stopped as the vessel was found unfit for diving, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters.

The submarine, the first of the two, was purchased for a staggering 3.4 billion ringgits (USD 961 million). The defects forced a three-month delay in the completion of the trials with the manufacturer DCNS (France) having to extend the warranty.

Navy Chief Abdul Aziz Jafar told Malay Mail that the problems have emerged in the submarine's cooling system last December and then again last month.

"We hope the manufacturer rectify the faults so we can complete the trials," he said. The Malaysian Navy is expecting the delivery of its second submarine by May.

The acquisition of the submarine has been embroiled in controversy with opposition claiming that huge kickbacks had been paid to the ruling party leaders.

Malaysia says first submarine unable to dive

Malaysia's first submarine, a European-made Scorpene delivered last September, has developed problems that make it unfit for diving, the defence minister said Thursday.

The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman sailed into a grand reception last year as the first of two commissioned from French contractor DCNS and Spain's Navantia for a total of 3.4 billion ringgit (961 million dollars).

Named after the country's first prime minister, it was hailed as an important acquisition despite opposition allegations of corruption in the deal.

"The submarine can still dive but when we detected the defects, we were advised that it should not dive," Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters.

"The (parts found with) defects are still under warranty so the supplier and contractor are repairing them," he added.

Navy chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar said a problem first emerged in the submarine's cooling system last December. After being fixed, another defect was identified in a different system last month.

Defect found on Royal Malaysian Navy sub

Technical problem prevented French-built Scorpene from diving

The country's sole submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, suffered a technical defect that prevented it from diving for three months. The problem was fixed last week.

The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman arriving at Port Klang for its official welcoming home ceremony on Sept 3 last year

The defect forced the RM1 billion plus French-built Scorpene submarine to delay tropical water trials that were scheduled to be completed by the end of January.

As a result, builder DCNS SA extended the warranty for the submarine, which was supposed to expire on Jan 25, until May so the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman could complete its trials — the first step to obtaining its Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

RMN chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar told The Malay Mail on Monday that the trials started this week, after DCNS completed the repairs.

"We did not allow the submarine to dive due to safety reasons. Now the problem has been fixed, the trials can be conducted," he added when met at the Defence Ministry.

The submarine was commissioned early last year after undergoing two years of trials in France.

In an email to The Paper That Cares recently, Abdul Aziz said: "KD TAR had not obtained its IOC yet as she is experiencing a defect under warranty that would not permit her to dive.

"The contractual completion for all tropical trials was before Jan 25 but submarine builder, DCNS had agreed to extend it to May 2010 as they had to rectify all warranty defects."

SECOND MALAYSIAN SUBMARINE TO ARRIVE FROM FRANCE IN JUNE

The second submarine of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), the KD Tun Abdul Razak, is expected to arrive at the RMN base in Sepanggar Bay near this capital of the eastern state of Sabah in early June, according to RMN Submarine Commander First Admiral Mohammad Rosland Omar.

He said here Tuesday that the Scorpene submarine, named after the country’s second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was currently undergoing the second phase of trials being carried out by its Spanish manufacturer, Navatia, in waters off Cartanega in Spain.

Scorpene class submarine 

“The voyage home is expected to take two months. Come June, we will have two submarines here,” he told reporters after the RMN Region II Quality Day at Sepanggar Bay.

Several firsts at Lima this year

LANGKAWI: It’s all systems go for the latest edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition 2009 with military aircraft and warships on showcase from today till Saturday.

The world-class platform for the aerospace and maritime industries is recording several firsts.

Swing-wing jet: An F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force rehearsing 

for the air show in Langkawi yesterday. — Bernama

The Royal Malaysian Navy’s first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman will make its maiden appearance at the maritime segment show at Awana Porto Malai.

The Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine is expected to be the main draw of the maritime show.

The exhibition has also recorded the largest number of ships anchored off Porto Malai – a total of 99 warships and vessels of all kinds.

Another first is the first appearance by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with its AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, which are expected to carry out aerial displays to thrill the visitors.

Another debut is the huge B-52 bomber of the United States Air Force, which is expected to make a low-level fly-past routine.

Underwater defender: Malaysia’s first submarine, the ‘KD Tunku Abdul Rahman’

being moored at the Awana Porto Malai jetty yesterday. — Bernama

 

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who made final checks on preparations for the show yesterday, said this year’s event would see the maritime and aerospace exhibition being merged under one roof at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC).

Zahid said 10 memorandums of understanding on the de- fence and aerospace industries would be signed between Malaysia and participating countries.

Also for the first time, the 96th Armed Forces Hospital will provide medical treatment for participants and visitors to the exhibition venue.

A temporary army hospital with 50 beds, an operating theatre and a medical laboratory has been set up at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre parking area.

Tickets to the event cost RM10, while children below 12 are allowed free entrance.

The air show will only be opened to the public on Saturday.

A total of 325 exhibitors from 25 countries are participating in Lima this year.

Orginal news

Spotlight to fall on first Scorpene submarine

KUALA LUMPUR: Next Tuesday, the biggest armada of warships and other vessels in the history of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima '09) will be anchored off Porto Malai.

Ninety-six such vessels from nine countries have confirmed their participation -- roughly three times more than when the exhibition was inaugurated in 1991.

That year, the majority of the 30-odd vessels were anchored, not in Porto Malai, but at the Kuah jetty, and the only foreign participants were the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) destroyer HMAS Torrens and two Indonesian high-speed patrol craft.

It is a testament to how much the maritime segment has grown that it now boasts of equal billing with the aerospace segment, attracting as wide a range of vessels as the air show attracts aircraft.

The star of this year's maritime show will, without a doubt, be KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first of the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) mighty Scorpene submarines.

 

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