Persembahan Aerobatik 1Malaysia Tarikan Baru LIMA'11

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Feb (Bernama) -- Persembahan aerobatik oleh 1Malaysia Air Display Team menerusi lima pesawat Extra 330 milik syarikat Aero 3 dari Jerman, bakal menjadi tarikan istimewa pada Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa Langkawi 2011 (LIMA'11) pada Disember depan.

Panglima Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) Jen Tan Sri Sri Rodzali Daud berkata pesawat-pesawat itu akan diterbangkan oleh juruterbang TUDM sepanjang seminggu penganjuran LIMA'11 mulai 6 hingga 12 Dis nanti.

"Pesawat pertama Aero 3 sudah diterima dan kini sedang menjalani latihan. Kita jangkakan ia akan diterbangkan untuk membuat persembahan pertama sempena Hari Keputeraan Sultan Pahang pada 12 Mac nanti," katanya kepada pemberita selepas pelancaran LIMA'11 oleh Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi di sini Rabu.

Rodzali berkata 1Malaysia Air Display Team, yang merupakan kerjasama industri antara Aero 3 dan TUDM, juga akan menyertai pameran di luar negara selain terbabit dalam persembahan dan pameran di peringkat kebangsaan dan negari.

Beliau berkata untuk permulaan, pesawat itu yang berpangkalan di Pangkalan Udara Sungai Besi, akan dikendalikan oleh juruterbang TUDM.

Rodzali berkata selain itu, penglibatan kali pertama pesawat komersil juga akan menjadi tarikan penganjuran LIMA'11.

"Sehingga kini empat syarikat penerbangan telah memberi persetujuan untuk turut serta dan kita akan cuba bawa untuk pamerkan pesawat-pesawat baru seperti Airbus A380," katanya.

Menurutnya walaupun kumpulan aerobatik Suryakiran dari Tentera Udara India dan Red Arrow Tentera Udara DiRaja United Kingdom tidak dapat menyertai LIMA'11, namun ia tidak akan mengurangkan tarikan LIMA'11 berikutan penyertaan aerobatik dari pasukan China, Australia, Itali, Pakistan, United Kingdom dan Rusia.

"Sukhoi SU-30MKM, MIG-29N,MB-339CM, FA-18D Hornet juga akan turut terlibat membuat persembahan," katanya.

Bagi Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) pula, persembahan demonstrasi melibatkan agensi penguatkuasaan maritim seperti Pasukan Gerakan Marin Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM), Bomba dan Kastam akan menjadi tarikan selain kapal selam TLDM.

"Seperti LIMA09, tahun ini kita akan bawakan juga salah satu kapal selam kita untuk orang ramai melihatnya secara lebih dekat," katanya.

Sehingga kini, katanya sebanyak empat negara telah melahirkan persetujuan untuk turut serta dalam LIMA'11 dan menjangkakan penyertaan itu bertambah dari semasa ke semasa.

"Sehingga kini, empat negara jiran telah bersetuju dengan tujuh buah kapal kesemuanya dan kita harap penyertaan kapal-kapal negara luar akan mencecah hingga 12 buah kesemuanya seperti yang kita terima pada LIMA dua tahun lepas," katanya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pertahanan Datuk Dr Ismail Ahmad berkata sehingga kini, sebanyak 65 penyertaan diterima dan dijangka mencapai 90 peratus pada akhir September nanti.

Katanya LIMA'11 dijangka yang terbaik penganjurannya dengan kerjasama kali pertama daripada agensi komersil termasuk Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) dan Lembaga Kemajuan Perindustrian Malaysia (MIDA).

"LIMA'11 menjangka menarik 500 syarikat dan lebih 50 ribu pengunjung dan pelabur. Sehingga kini, 31 buah negara telah bersetuju untuk turut serta yang pastinya akan memberi impak yang besar kepada negara," katanya.

Ismail berkata LIMA'11 hanya akan dibuka kepada delegasi dan pelawat perdagangan dari 6 hingga 8 Dis manakala 9 hingga 10 Dis dibuka untuk pelawat awam.

Pameran akan diadakan di Dewan Pameran Antarabangsa Mahsuri (MIEC) dari 10 hingga 5 petang dengan bayaran tiket RM10 seorang, kadar yang sama pada LIMA09 " katanya.

Karnival Pelancongan LIMA'11 di Awana Porto Malai pula akan dibuka dari 10 hingga 12 tengah malam.

-- BERNAMA

Lima '11 to draw greater interest and participation

NST 2011/02/17

This year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition is expected to attract 500 companies and more than 50,000 trade and public visitors from all over the world.Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said to date, nearly 70 per cent of available floor space had been taken up, with 31 countries confirming participation.
"This reflects a substantial increase in interest from the maritime and aerospace industry in Malaysia and the region," he said at the launch of Lima '11 at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday.
More than 500 guests, including ambassadors, high commissioners and members of the armed forces, were present.
"Asia is widely recognised as a major growth region for the maritime and aerospace industry over the next 10 to 15 years. The country is gearing itself to be a major hub for several sectors," said Zahid.
"This includes maintenance, repair and overhaul, aerospace components manufacturing, commercial and corporate aviation and commercial shipbuilding."
He said to achieve a more balanced portfolio at Lima '11, commercial aviation and shipbuilding aspects had been added to the exhibition.
"By opening the exhibition to the commercial sector, Lima will provide more opportunities for companies to tap into this lucrative market."

The Defence Ministry will also collaborate with relevant ministries and government agencies to ensure the successful adoption of this new initiative.
One of the major attractions of this year's event is the Airbus A400M airlifter, which makes its debut.
The government had ordered four of the powerful aircraft to supplement the Royal Malaysian Air Force's fleet of 15 Hercules C-130s several exhibitions ago.
Zahid also witnessed the signing of deals for the participation of 15 major aerospace and maritime companies at Lima '11. They include Rolls Royce, Rostech of Russia, Fincantieri of Italy and EADS, the parent company of Airbus.
"So far, seven ships from four countries are confirmed to be attending in December. The Royal Malaysian Navy will also be showing about 30 vessels, including one of its submarines.
"The 1Malaysia Air Display Team will also be making its debut with the German-made Extra 330, an aerobatic monoplane."

Lumut Naval Town, Malaysia: Lima 2011

Lumut Naval Town, Malaysia: Lima 2011

Lima 2011

By K. ASHRAF KAMMED
ashkam@thestar.com.my

Commercial aviation and shipbuilding segments will be added to the eleventh session of the Langkawi International Mari­time and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima ’11) show later this year, the Defence Minister said.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said segments of commercial and corporate aviation, commercial shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and overhaul and airport equipment and services would be re-introduced at this year’s exhibition.
“The segments are in line with expectations that Asia will lead global traffic by 2028. The exhibition for the commercial sector will provide more opportunities for companies to tap this lucrative market,” he said at the Lima ’11 launch at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre here yesterday.
The exhibition will be held from Dec 6 to 10 in Pulau Langkawi.
Among the major attractions at this year’s show are the new Airbus A400M Airlifter aircraft, four of which are expected to supplement the RMAF fleet of 15 Hercules C-130s by 2015.
Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ismail Ahmad said this year’s Lima show was expected to attract about 500 companies and more than 50,000 visitors and investors from 31 countries.
RMAF chief Gen Datuk Rodzali Daud said visitors would be treated to a display by the 1Malaysia Air Display Team comprising five Extra-330 aircraft operated by the Aero 3 company of Germany.
Navy chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the navy would show off one of its submarines

SLEP KD KASTURI

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 | From malaysian defence of marhalim Abas

The SLEP for the Kasturi which was first announced publicly at Lima 2007 has finally been given the go ahead. It was supposed to start last year but as the RMN chief stated in his New Year Message (2009) he was dismayed by the decision to defer the project.
The project is contracted for almost a billion ringgit for two ships, which are already more than 25 years old. I guess it will be faster to repair these tired ships rather than try to spend the time to persuade the powers that be that we need new ships and a lot of them ASAP!
I am not being cynical but I hazard to guess the contract signing will be done at Lima 2009 next November and with the “signing” the business done at the show has gone up by almost one billion.
As I mentioned before the SLEP should have been done years ago to validate the systems meant for the Kedah class. But we chose the long and unprofitable route….
 

Boustead Unit Gets RM 703.823 Million Contract From Defence Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) — Boustead Holdings Bhd has been awarded a contract worth RM703.823 million from the Defence Ministry to undertake the Service Life Extension Programme of Kasturi Class Corvettes.

SGPV and opposition statements – Dzirhan Mahadzir

Unsurprisingly the recent announcement regarding the Second Generation Patrol Vessel program has the DAP up in arms (though noticeably its PR colleagues in PAS and PKR have been fairly quiet on it or maybe I missed something somewhere).
I do find it amusing that DAP member Liew Chin Tong said the ships would be better built overseas as it would be cheaper but provided no facts on it and at the same time alienates the people of Lumut where the ships would be built, and there I thought Pakatan Rakyat wanted to win back Perak. I actually wonder if the ships were to be built in Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan or Penang, would Liew still recommend the ships be built overseas?
Meanwhile DAP MP’s Tony Pua has put out a statement on the purchase of 6 offshore patrol vessels, Pua’s assertions though, particularly in regard to similar vessels comparison are fairly misleading to those unfamiliar with defence issues but which a number of people are likely to buy wholesale.
Before going into that sphere though, Pua’s assertion that the Ministry of Defence has a practice to award contracts before well before the terms of contract has been finalized should be addressed. The problem in this is that Pua confuses a Letter of Intent as in regard to the AV8 AFV and OPV announcements as to an actual contract.
An LOI is actually a document outlining a preliminary agreement between two parties before the actual contract is finalized and an official notification that the two parties are negotiating. In most cases it is also to clarify key points for complex deals and to provide safeguards for both parties if neither can agree on the final terms of the contract, and mostly it is non-binding in contrast to a contract.
A potential value is announced by the government in an LOI for various reasons however it often is not the actual value when the contract occurs, particularly in regard to complex arms purchases. The LOI value is actually an indication of how high the ceiling value of the contract will be provided that the company meets all that the government requires or specifies in terms both in terms of technical and delivery requirements and also if the company offers additional services, equipment etc to the government which the government had not considered in the deal but would like to also include in the deal since the company is offering it.
Basically the government is telling the company that is has X amount of money for the deal provided the company meets all that it wants and if possible offers more, but in most cases this never happens, the company naturally has it’s own idea as to what it will for provide for a particular amount and the result is both the government and company will then negotiate down to a deal satisfactory to both parties.
The ceiling value is also there so that for the government, it can allocate and plan accordingly for the future as such negotiations may take months so in essence it is necessary for the government to plan based on the highest possible cost though in actuality this would not occur and the contract price would be less. The ceiling value is also necessary for the company in the contract so that it can show to its shareholders, financiers and investors that it has a potential deal valued at such an amount in the works.
In the past, under previous administrations, one of the most common complaints of defence companies was that the Malaysian government often would not give any indications publicly of how much a defence deal was potentially worth, which made it hard for companies to justify their efforts to shareholders and investors and also obtain financial backing.
Occasionally companies would not be told of the ceiling value but only the requirements and as a result would submit something which met the requirements but be above what the government was willing to pay. Setting a ceiling value offers the company a figure to work around with during the negotiations to meet the potential contract.
Now Pua’s analysis of ship prices is very much the approach of those unfamiliar with the defence field, namely to look on the internet for news reports of contracts on similar type ships and then contrast prices, unfortunately it doesn’t quite work that way for defence contracts for several reasons, first off, the Second Generation Patrol Vessel is a type known as a Corvette warship, however corvette vessels range in weight from 500 tons to slightly above 2000 tons, so in Pua’s case some of the warships he compares are less in tonnage and size than the SGPV’s planned 2,200 tons and 99m length and in the case of the Greek Super Vita, or Roussen class, he has got the comparison wrong as the Roussen class is actually a Fast Attack Craft of 580 tons and 62m in length, so it’s like comparing a mini-Cooper to a 4x4 WD in price.
Of course, naturally people will say why not divide the price by tonnage for comparison but again this is not possible for three factors, firstly, there key differences to ships even if of similar size and tonnage due to the type of equipment they mount such as weapons, electronics, engines etc and their design along with construction material, all of which makes substantial differences to the price.
Secondly, is the time of the ships were contracted for, defence prices are not static prices, and citing prices for ships contracts 5 years or more ago do not reflect current prices. Finally a contract for a ship or ships is not just for the ships alone but also maintenance, support, training and delivery, hence if you decided to forgo maintenance, support and training options the cost would be lower, a slower construction/delivery schedule could result, depending on the negotiations, being cheaper or costing more in the fact that you have a series of lower payments but adds up to more in the end, pretty much like loans or hire-purchase.
In all Pua’s ship price comparisons, it all falls foul of the first and second factors so much that it makes the third factor pretty much moot. Morever his statement that the US built its LCS for at a budget US$300 million is wrong, the US may have budgeted such but there had been warnings that the US was too overoptimistic on the price which eventually ended up costing US$637 million and US$704 million respectively for each of the two different design initial ships.

 Indonesia spend 3% of GDP, Singapore 4.9%, Thailand 1.8%, Malaysia 2%. SIngapore even has a domestic supplier. Indonesia has 2 subs and planning to buy more in 2011, Singapore have subs since 1995 (6 of them), Thais are looking into purchasing subs this year as well.

Model	Type	Ton	Dimen	Armament (plus associated sensors for weapons)	Additonal	Main role	Price USD (M) / ship
SGPV	Corvette/light frigate class	2,200T	99m ,	76mm main gun, possible 20mm/30mm cannons, Anti-Ship Missile, Anti-Air Missile, Anti-Submarine Weapons	helipad/hangar for ASW helo	Frontline Warship for Malaysian waters plus EEZ	$329
Ireland Roisin class	Offshore Patrol Vessel	1700t	78.9m	76mm Main Gun, 2 .50 cal machineguns, 4 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns	no helo deck/hangar.	EEZ patrolling, Search and Rescue, Maritime enforcement	$34
German K130 Braunschweig class	Corvette	1840t	89m.	: 76mm Main Gun, 2 27mm cannons,  RBS-15 anti-ship missile, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) anti-air missile, minelaying	helideck for naval helicopters but hangar only large enough for 2 UAV	Anti-surface warfare ship designed to operate beyond German waters together with Coalition fleet	$185
New Zealand Protector class:,	Offshore Patrol Vessel	1900t,	85m.	25mm Naval cannon, 2 x.50cal MGs	helideck and hangar for Super Seasprite helo with torpedo, bomb or depth charge.	Maritime enforcement, EEZ patrolling, limited wartime role.	$70.5
Israeli Saar V class	Corvette	1275t	85.6m	25mm Phalanx Close in Weapons Systems, Barak anti-air missile, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes	helicopter hangar and helipad.	Frontline warship for employment within Israeli waters	$260
Greek Roussen class (Super Vita class):	Fast Attack Craft	580t	62m	76mm main gun, 2 30mm cannons, Exocet Anti-ship Missile, RAM anti-air missile	, no helo/helipad	Fast attack crafT	$ 108

Defence cost not exorbitant

A lack of understanding on emerging defence needs is among the factors causing a misconception over defence-related purchases announced by the Government.
Former Royal Malaysian Navy armada systems head Admiral (Rtd) Abdul Rahim Jaafar said the issue became more complicated when some felt that such purchases were a waste of public funds.
“Most people do not understand because they are not in this line. Whether the price is reasonable or not depends on the equipment and weapons installed.
“The latest equipment for warships are pricey, especially if they are purchased from another country,” he said yesterday.
He was commenting on DAP Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua’s allegation in a local news portal that RM6bil to build six Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) was 870% more expensive than what was paid by other countries for similar vessels.
Abdul Rahim said making comparisons with other countries would be difficult as the real cost may not be included, such as the Government Full Expenditure (GFE).
He said Malaysians should take Singapore as an example whereby it was willing to allocate a large amount of expenditure to ensure the country’s defence system was ready for challenges in the new millennium.
For Malaysia, stepping up the capability of LCS would not only protect the country from various threats such as piracy, violence and territorial disputes but also natural resources like oil fields.
Meanwhile, National Defence University of Malaysia centre for defence and international security studies director Assoc Prof Lt-Kol Ahmad Ghazali Abu Hassan said the Government’s purchase price could not be evaluated at a glance because various aspects were involved.
“We cannot say whether the buy is worth it or not because we don’t know what the ship is equipped with.
“If it’s furnished with sophisticated equipment, it will definitely cost more.
“We need to look at the package selected, including training and more,” he said.
Ahmad Ghazali said buying the LCS was a smart move as the country could not be complacent about its defence system.
He added that the system must always be improved by taking into account challenges that might arise in the future

MP’s allegations over ‘high cost’ of ships

Defence analysts have rubbished allegations by an opposition MP that the Government’s move to procure six Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) costing RM6bil, costs 870% more than what other countries paid for similar ships.
Defence and security analyst Dzirhan Mahadzir said the comparison made by DAP’s Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua in a local news portal was based on different ships.
“The government amount is within a reasonable estimate of how much it will cost with the capabilities of the SGPV-LCS (Second Generation Patrol Vessel-Littoral Combat Ships),” he said yesterday when asked to comment on Pua’s statement on the website.

Sophisticated machine: A concept model of an SGPV displayed by Boustead at Lima 2009. Defence analysts say the high cost in procuring the six ships was rational. — Photo courtesy of Dzirhan Mahadzir

Sharing a similar view, Asian Defence Journal editor M. Ghazemy Mahmud said the high cost in procuring the six LCS was rational, taking into consideration the capability and sophistication of the ships.
“Although the vessels were based on the corvette design, they are known as LCS and the equipment is far more sophisticated, capable than and superior to the earlier six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), hence the higher cost,” he said.
Ghazemy said due to the complicated and complex nature of building the naval ship, it was easy to be confused over the actual cost and type of naval ships.
“The figure (RM6bil) is standard ballpark figure in the naval ship building industry. Only those in the industry can understand the complex nature of naval ship-building,” he said.
He said the procurement was part of an overall programme planned more than a decade ago where the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) wanted to built 27 corvette-type warships to replace the British-made patrol vessels bought in the 1960s and 1970s.
On the issue of the purchase of the vessels not being made through competitive bidding compared to other developed countries, Dzirhan said Pua had got the facts wrong.
Dzirhan, a correspondent for Jane’s Defence Weekly, said RMN chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar had earlier said the ships would be built by the Boustead Naval Shipyard, in collaboration with one of the six overseas shipyards which was shortlisted.
“The RMN requested for quotations and proposals solicited from foreign companies at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aero­space Exhibition in 2009.
“In fact, this fact had been reported several times since then, and the Government was looking at the various foreign proposals.
“Also, similar examinations of quotations and proposals were being conducted on the ships’ weapon systems, radar, electronic equipment and sensors, all of which would be sourced from various foreign suppliers,” he added.
He said however, all these were conducted behind closed-doors, “not just because the Government wants it so, but also because the companies do not want disclosure of their proposals and offer prices to be available to their competitors.”
Dzirhan said the experience in building the ships and the transfer of technology and expertise would allow the local defence industry to develop capabilities to meet the Government’s goal of self-sufficiency in defence.

Zahid ready to be probed over RM6bil-vessels purchase

LUMUT: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is willing to be investigated if there are indeed elements of fraud and corruption in the Government's decision to procure six Second Generation Patrol Vessel-Littoral Combat Ships (SGPV-LCS) at a cost of RM6bil.
He said opposition MP Tony Pua should come forward and provide evidence to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to allow the commission carry out an investigation on the matter.
"What is he so afraid of? Please give whatever evidence (you have) to the MACC."
"I'm ready to be investigated, my officers are also ready to be investigated if there are any irregularities in the procurement," he told reporters after a working visit to the Boustead Naval Dockyard here on Monday.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said he would provide a full answer in the next Parliament sitting about Pua's allegation that the Government was buying the six SGPV-LCS at a cost 870% more than that paid by other countries for similar ships.
He said the allegation made by the DAP MP was politically motivated.
"I would like to remind the DAP and other opposition parties not to politicise the country's defence and security."
"We can differ in our opinion but do not ‘spin’ the country's defence and security," he said.
Bernama had quoted a MACC source as saying that the commission was waiting for Pua to come forward with facts to support his allegations so an investigation could be carried out.
However, the DAP national publicity secretary said filling a report with the commission would be irrelevant as he merely wanted the Minister to justify the purchase.
A defence analyst with Asian Defence Journal was recently reported as defending the Government by saying that the figure of RM6bil was a standard ballpark figure in the naval ship building industry.
The analyst added that the high cost of procuring the six SGPV-LCS was rational, taking into consideration the capability and sophistication of the ships

NGV Tech to build ships for RMN

Shipbuilder NGV Tech Sdn Bhd is collaborating with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd (DSME) to construct two 75.9-metre training-cum-patrol vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

"In the period of 24 months, we will collaborate to design, build and deliver the naval vessels," NGV Tech Executive Chairman Datuk Zulkifli Shariff told reporters after the contract signing ceremony here today.

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

NGV Tech builds about 40 ships annually, generating about RM500 million in revenue.

Zulkifli said the company had previously built and delivered naval vessels for foreign countries but the new units were bigger and more elaborate and sophisticated in design and capabilities.

"This will be our maiden project with the RMN. And with our local manpower and experience to be derived from DSME, we are confident that we will produce superb marine vessels for them," he said.

He also revealed that both vessels would be worth about RM150 million to RM180 million each depending on the negotiation outcomes.

Meanwhile, NGV Tech has also offered DSME to design the Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) which the RMN has a need as well.
"We will start the retail design as per the requirements of the RMN and once orders have been confirmed, we can start building immediately," he said.

Currently, the company is in talks with other potential MRSS buyers, namely Nigeria and Egypt.

"By doing the design first, we can save about 20 months as designing this kind of vessels is time consuming, especially when MRSS is a large vessel which is 157 metres in length," he said.

He added, the MRSS could cost potential buyers about RM1.2 billion to RM1.3 billion each. Present at the ceremony today were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and DSME President and Chief Executive Officer Nam Sang-Tae.

Nam said the deal with NGV Tech was the first of its kind for DSME. "I think this is a good starting point for us although we do not see any significant impact in the near term," he said, expecting more collaborations with NGV Tech in future

Publish NST 14/12/2010