Malaysia Expected To Order Fighters In 2016-20

Mar 23, 2015 Bradley Perrett Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Malaysia’s long-running requirement for a MiG-29 replacement is expected to turn into an order in the country’s 2016-20 planning period, with the Saab Gripen looking like a prospect because of the drop in oil prices that has created additional budgetary pressure on the oil-producing country.

Malaysia issued a brief request for proposals for fighters in 2011. With the two main parts of its territory separated by the South China Sea, it wanted a fighter with two engines, eliminating the Gripen.

But the price of crude oil, a key factor supporting the national finances, has halved since then.

“I don’t think the requirement for two engines is set in stone,” says Kaj Rosander, head of major programs for Saab.

The other contenders for the order are larger, have two engines and should be somewhat more expensive: the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and possibly the Sukhoi Su-30. Lockheed Martin appears not to be offering the F-35.

Malaysia needs fighters to replace MiG-29s under the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft program. It introduced 18 MiG-29s in the early 1990s; about 10 remain in service. The industry has been expecting Malaysia to order about 18 replacement fighters, but that figure is probably not firm. Malaysia adopts the common practice of five-year government planning periods, so the industry expects the order to appear in the next one, covering 2016-20.

Apart from two engines, the 2011 request for proposals, which was a preliminary document more like a request for information, specified a radar with an active electronically scanned array. Contracts for Malaysian manufacturing and exports to offset some of the value of importing the fighters are likely.

Saab expects Malaysia to adopt the increasingly common practice of specifying a required capability, measured as annual available flight time, rather than a certain number of aircraft. The Swedish firm thinks 16 Gripen C/Ds could provide the flight time that will probably be required.

The timing of the program is not ideal for Boeing. No decision is likely within a year, but Boeing’s Super Hornet program manager, Dan Gillan, said this month the company would have to decide in the middle of the year whether to support continued production of the type. To remain a candidate for Malaysia, the Super Hornet will need further orders from elsewhere.

Howard Berry, vice president for Super Hornet sales, emphasizes the payload-range capability of the Super Hornet, which has twice the empty weight of the Gripen C/D. It also has the advantage that the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates the F/A-18D Hornet, of which the Super Hornet is an enlarged derivative.

Rosander and Berry spoke to Aviation Week at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia last week, where Andy Lavin of BAE Systems also detailed the offer of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Officials from Dassault and Sukhoi representative Rosoboronexport were not available.

The clear advantage of the Gripen C/D is that it presents a relatively low challenge to the Malaysian budget. Malaysia wants all of the candidates to reduce the fiscal challenge by offering a lease deal, something that the Swedish company has experience in doing. The Czech Republic and Hungary lease their Gripens.

Saab must offer Gripens of the C/D version, because the enlarged Gripen E/F, which will replace the C/D in production, must first be built for Sweden and Brazil. But because the C/D is leaving production, an order would be needed within a year, which is unlikely. If Malaysia moves too late, then C/Ds could be supplied otherwise, Rosander says. He declines to be more specific, but the obvious source would be secondhand aircraft, perhaps supplied as interim equipment pending later deliveries of E/Fs.

Posted : 2015-04-07 15:47
Updated : 2015-04-07 19:20

GE seeks to supply engines for KF-X program


An employee assembles an airplane engine at a GE plant in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. GE is seeking to supply its F414-GE-400 engine for Korea's next-generation indigenous fighter jets. / Courtesy of GE Korea

By Lee Hyo-sik

General Electric (GE) wants to supply state-of-the-art aircraft engines for Korea's next-generation indigenous fighter jet program.

The world's leading infrastructure and technology firm plans to offer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a preferred bidder for the Korean Fighter experimental (KF-X) program, to use its F414-GE-400 engine.

The F414 has been selected to power fighter jets in six countries ― Australia, Brazil, India, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

It is used in the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, Saab Gripen NG and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mark II. More than 1,200 F414 engines have been sold around the globe, according to GE.

"GE is a proud, long-term supporter of Korea's aviation industry. We now want to be part of the KF-X program," GE Korea CEO Chris Khang said. "We are ready to offer the most capable and competitive engine solutions with F414, a proven platform with the latest technology and a strong track record of reliability and operability that KF-X requires."

Khang said GE will also transfer its manufacturing technology, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities, if it is chosen to work with KAI.

"We are confident that we have done much more localization in Korea than any competitors," he said. "We have purchased a wide range of core components from our Korean partners, worth over $200 million. This proves our strong commitment to the development of the country's aviation industry."

One of the important factors for KF-X program's success was the exportability of the fighter jet, Khang said, adding that GE supported KAI's T-50 and FA-50 export programs to Indonesia, Iraq and the Philippines.

"We have been supporting KAI's export programs for the two aircraft and the Surion helicopter," he said. "With GE's strong global network and technology leadership, we will continue to play a key role in facilitating Korea's efforts to sell its next-generation aircraft abroad."

The $7.7 billion KF-X program to build F-16 plus class jets with the help of global defense contractors, including GE, will replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s. KAI will provide 120 twin-engine aircraft for the Air Force by 2032.

For the past 35 years, GE has been collaborating with the defense ministry and private aviation companies here.

More than 1,300 GE engines power 600 aircraft and ships operated by the Korean military, including F110 and F404 engines for fixed-wing fighter aircraft, T700 and CT7 engines for rotorcraft and turboprop airplanes, and LM500/LM2500 engines for naval vessels.

Rafale deal done, defence minister Parrikar wants Apaches

Shishir Gupta, New Delhi| Updated: Apr 13, 2015 01:17 IST



Long sought by the depleted Indian Air Force, Apache attack and Chinook heavy lift helicopters seem set to punch in through the opening created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Rafale breakthrough. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought the mandatory finance ministry approval for purchase of 22 Boeing Apache attack helicopters from the US as a prelude to moving the Cabinet Committee on Security. The $2 billion purchase has been hanging fire since 2009 with the US defence major offering its 11th extension on price till June 30, 2015.

South Block officials said that Parrikar has also directed defence finance officials to fast-track the acquisition of 15 Chinook heavy helicopters from the US or record their reservations, if any, for the CCS to take a final view. “Acquisition cannot remained mired in red tape. If the officials have any concerns, they should record it on file so that the political leadership can take a decision on either to concur with their view or reject it. Sitting on the file is not an option,” said a senior South Block official. Manufactured by Boeing, the Chinook deal is worth around $1.1 billion and has been in limbo as long as the Apache.

The Apache qualified in the attack helicopter category as the other contender did not meet the specifications, Chinook qualified for the heavy copter tender as the lowest bidder on grounds of landed price, fuel efficiency and maintenance for 10 years after beating the Russia-made Mi-26 in 2012.

The IAF has only two squadrons of the roughly 25 years old Mi-35 attack helicopters, it has only three Mi-26 heavy lift helicopters with low serviceability. The IAF desperately requires attack helicopters like Apache to counter any aggression from the west and needs rapid deployment capability along the 3,488-km mountainous Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Boeing has offered India 15 Chinooks (CH-47F) with the option of purchase of seven more of the twin rotor helicopters that can carry 55 combat-ready troops or up to 11,000 kg of cargo.

In case of the Apache, Boeing has offered 22 platforms with the option of buying another 11 through both government-to-government and direct commercial sales route. The US manufacturer has offered state-of-the-art Longbow radar with Hellfire fire-and-forget all-weather missiles, Stinger missiles and rockets. Both helicopters use top-of-the-line technology and have been battle-proven in the Afghanistan and Iraq theatres.

Navy eyes 'better than Chinese' subs

9 Apr 2015 at 08:16
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS 
WRITER: WASSANA NANUAM

Some navy sources, however, were not opposed to Chinese submarines, saying they could be on a par with European ones if they are properly developed and built.

Elements within the navy are expressing doubts over a proposal to purchase Chinese submarines.

The concerns come as Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon is set to discuss the possibility of a purchase deal with his Chinese counterpart during his three-day visit to China that began yesterday. 

Speaking at an event to mark the 128th anniversary of the Defence Ministry prior to leaving for China on Wednesday, Gen Prawit said he would discuss a plan to buy two submarines for 36 billion baht with his Chinese counterpart during his visit.

However, several navy sources said they do not want the Chinese submarines after raising concerns over their reliability and the fact that China has little or no track record in building submarines.

They said 36 billion baht may have to be spent on vessels which could be too risky to use under water. Long-term maintenance costs of the submarines are another concern, they said.

For whatever reasons the navy wants to buy submarines, the key concern is that submarines, like aircraft, require maintenance and confidence in their reliability, a navy source said.

If maintenance is not comprehensive or there is no confidence in the craft, submariners will not venture with their vessels under water, the source said.

The sources said the navy may use the submarines for the first four or five years and after that they will not go under water again.

They said European vessels would be more worthwhile, adding the price tags on European and Chinese vessels are not that different. 

Some navy sources, however, were not opposed to Chinese submarines, saying they could be on a par with European ones if they are properly developed and built. 

The sources said the navy has yet to make decision on where it should buy submarines from. 

The navy is looking at Chinese submarines, German U-boats and subs from South Korea, they said.

Gen Prawit says the purchase of submarines would require money from five fiscal budgets, adding the Defence Ministry has agreed in principle to the purchase. 

Speaking about the visit to China, Gen Prawit said talks will also touch upon joint military training between the two countries. 

Joining him on the trip to China were defence permanent secretary Gen Sirichai Distakul, Supreme Commander Gen Worapong Sanganetra, the armed forces chiefs, and Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

RSG, PT Dirgantara Indonesia Team Up to Deliver Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Platform for the Indonesian Armed Forces

Rotorcraft Services Group, Inc. (RSG), announced its teaming agreement with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for the development and integration of an advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare suite for the Airbus AS565 MBe Panther helicopter.

FORT WORTH, TX, April 14, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rotorcraft Services Group, Inc. (RSG), an industry leader in aircraft technical services, announced its teaming agreement with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for the development and integration of an advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare suite for the Airbus AS565 MBe Panther helicopter. The integrated mission equipment suite will include L-3 Ocean Systems DS-100 Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) and Raytheon Mk46 or Whitehead A244/S lightweight torpedo launching system. The systems modular design will allow the multirole ASW helicopter to be quickly reconfigured for non-combat roles, including Maritime Surveillance, Search and Rescue, MEDEVAC, Utility and External Cargo Lift operations.

"We look forward to leveraging our company's unique blend of expertise, customer commitment and drive for innovation to deliver the most advanced and cost effective ASW platform for the Indonesian Armed Forces in partnership with PTDI, L-3 Oceans systems and Airbus Helicopters " said Fida Waishek, President of RSG AeroDesign "The HELRAS has been demonstrated through numerous NATO naval exercises to be the highest performance helicopter dipping sonar in the world for both shallow and deep water operations. The low frequency system uses high resolution Doppler processing and long shaped pulses to detect submarines at very long range and near-zero Doppler target signal." In addition to its long-range surveillance and search capabilities, the DS-100 is well-suited to redetection, target localization and weapon delivery against deep and shallow water targets.

RSG is an approved supplier for leading Aerospace OEMs worldwide including Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Airbus Helicopters, Changhe Aircraft Industries Group Co., Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, Hafei Aviation Industry Co., Helicopter Support Inc., Korean Aerospace Industries, L-3 Communications Ocean Systems, L-3 Communications Wescam, MD Helicopters, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Safran USA, Inc., Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Sikorsky Global Helicopters.

WEDNESDAY, 15 APRIL, 2015 | 15:30 WIB

Eurofighter Offer to Assemble Typhoon in Indonesia



TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Representative of the European-based jet fighter manufacturer, Eurofighter, had visited Indonesia and displayed a replica of the company's famous fighter jet, Typhoon, in a hangar belonging to state-owned aircraft company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI). Eurofighter is currently trying to promote the Typhoon to replace the Indonesian Airforce’s aging F-5 fighter jets.

Martin Elbourne, Eurofighter's Head of Industrial Offset promised that the company will conduct technology transfer if Indonesia was to purchase the Typhoon. "We proposed that the final assembling to be done in Indonesia, at PT DI," Martin said to journalists on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Martin even mentioned that the company planned to make Indonesia one of its production bases following England, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

Martin added that the transfer of technology program will help Indonesia to participate in the KFX/IFX fighter jet program in cooperation with South Korea. The program, Martin asserted, will increase Indonesia's bargaining power in bidding for the KFX/IFX project because currently, Indonesia has no capability to manufacture fighter jets.

INDRA WIJAYA

TNIAU F-16 crash this morning.

Indonesian air force F-16 jet catches fire on take-off

Published on Apr 16, 2015 11:11 AM

JAKARTA - An Indonesian air force F-16 jet caught fire after failing to take off at the Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta Thursday.

Indonesian media reports said the F-16 with the tail number TS-1643 caught fire at about 8.20 am local time (9.20 am Singapore).

The Kompas news portal reported that the right wheel of the plane was dislodged and the tail end of the plane caught fire after it attempted to take off. Photos on social media and Indonesian news websites showed the plane engulfed in smoke, although it was not badly damaged.

No injuries were reported. Reports said the pilot of the plane was able to quickly evacuate and the fire was put out by officers on the scene.

Typhoon CFT

some was saying the after burner fuel pipe leak/burst and onto the hot engine and catch fire

quite possible situation

Eurofighter showcases offer of indigenous capability for Indonesia

News | 19 hours ago

A final assembly facility for the world’s most versatile and reliable fast-jet fighter could be built in Indonesia it has been re-confirmed this week - if the Nation chooses to opt for the Eurofighter Typhoon and the chance to develop its own indigenous capability.

As Indonesia plans the replacement of its existing fighter-jet fleet, delegates from Eurofighter arrived in Jakarta over the weekend to begin a series of demonstrations aimed at underlining the full scope of the offer from the four-nation consortium. Central to the unique offer from Eurofighter is the fact the Country already has a strong and productive relationship with one of its Partner Companies, Airbus - makers of a wide range of military and commercial products.

Joe Parker, Export Director for Eurofighter GmbH, based in Munich, Germany, said: “We recognise that Indonesia has important decisions to make, and that those decisions will leave a lasting legacy. What we bring to Indonesia is not just reliable protection for the Nation, but the opportunity to build and maintain a genuine indigenous capability on the back of a proven partnership and all that goes with it.”

Parker, himself a private pilot, and a passionate advocate of Typhoon, added: “Rapidly deployable and reliable maritime protection is a fundamental requirement for this nation of islands and no other aircraft of this type can fly longer, faster and higher than ours when fully-loaded. Add this to the fact that we would be able to facilitate assembly line capabilities into Bandung enabling the aircraft to be built here in Indonesia by Indonesians and it is easy to see why we believe this a major opportunity making the Indonesian Archipelago a future hub for operations in the Southern Hemisphere.”

“We have already hosted visits to see our Spanish and German facilities,” said Parker, “and they were well received. This is an exciting time for the Eurofighter Programme which has now reached a level of maturity giving the Typhoon an unrivalled range of capabilities and a solid roadmap for the future.”

This week, for the first time, Eurofighter will be showcasing a Full Scale Exhibition Demonstrator Eurofighter Typhoon when it goes on display in a hangar at PT DI’s facilities in Bandung – the potential location for the Indonesian Eurofighter Typhoon production line.

Eurofighter proposes final assembly line, CFT works in RI

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung | World | Fri, April 17 2015, 8:23 AM

The European consortium making the Typhoon heavy jet fighter proposed on Tuesday the possibility of moving a final assembly line from Spain to Indonesia, should Indonesia pick its jet fighter to modernize the Indonesian Air Force fleet.

“What we bring to Indonesia is not just reliable protection for the nation, but the opportunity to build and maintain a genuine indigenous capability on the back of a proven partnership and all that goes with it,” said Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH export director Joe Parker.

He also claimed that no other jet fighter could fly faster, higher and with more weapons when it came to protect Indonesia’s vast maritime territory and airspace.

Parker was speaking at a master class session on Tuesday for aviation and defense journalists and writers.

Other speakers were industrial partnership manager Martin Elbourne and capability promotion manager Paul Smith.

“Our final assembly line in Spain will soon complete its production run as the Spanish Air Force will receive all of its ordered Typhoons by late 2017 or early 2018,” Elbourne said on Tuesday.

“If Indonesia decided to pick the Typhoon, we can move the final assembly line from Getafe to Bandung.”

He suggested sending Indonesian engineers and technicians to Spain to work on Spain’s last units of the Typhoon being made there, as well as to help make the initial number of Indonesia’s own planes.

“After the Indonesians learn the way to assemble the Typhoon, we can relocate the final assembly line,” he said.

Currently there are four final assembly lines for the Typhoon. The three other locations are in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The Typhoon, a heavy, dual-engine jet fighter, is one of among several contenders to replace the ageing, American-made Northrop F-5 E/F Tiger II operated by the 14th Squadron, based at the Iswahjudi Air Force Base in Madiun, East Java.

Other contenders are the French-made Dassault Rafale and Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35; both are also heavy, dual-engine jet fighters. There are also light, single-engine jet fighters under consideration: the American-made Lockheed Martin F-16 and the Swedish-made Saab JAS39 Gripen.

Elbourne said Eurofighter proposed to have the final assembly line at the PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) facilities in Bandung because of the state-owned airframe manufacturer’s long relations with the then Construcciones Aeronauticas Societal Anonima (CASA), which is now part of Airbus Defense and Space in the Airbus Group.

“It is a natural progression for PT DI to move from making transport aircraft to fighter aircraft,” he said.

Other than moving the final assembly line to Bandung, Elbourne also said that PT DI could design, test and manufacture conformal fuel tanks (CFT) for the Typhoon, making Indonesia the only supplier of such enhancements for the jet fighter.

“Indonesia could be the first country to equip Typhoons with CFTs, providing an extra range to reach the country’s vast maritime territory and airspace,” he said.

“Other countries that also need the CFTs would have to buy them from Indonesia as the sole source.”

CFTs are additional fuel storage tanks that allow a jet fighter to fly farther and also to linger longer while carrying more weapons.

CFTs have several advantages, such as a smaller radar signature and drag penalties when compared to drop tanks and they allow more armaments to be placed on hard points under a jet fighter’s wings or belly.

Elbourne said that by making CFTs, “PT DI will get first-hand experience working on a jet fighter, thus increasing its current scope of capability.”

“Such increased capability could be used to leverage Indonesia’s participation in the IFX/KFX jet fighter program.”

The IFX/KFX is a joint development between Indonesia and South Korea in which Indonesia has a 20 percent stake.

Eurofighter is currently displaying a full-scale Typhoon exhibition demonstrator at one of PT DI’s hangars in Bandung.

Other than inviting journalists, Eurofighter also hosted officials from the Defense Industry Policy Committee (KKIP) who came on Wednesday, along with bloggers, university students and lecturers, to learn about the latest technology being implemented on the Typhoon.

DCNS starts the construction of the first GOWIND® 2500 corvette for the Egyptian Navy

04.16.2015

DCNS has today started cutting metal for the very first GOWIND® 2500 corvette under construction in Lorient, in the presence of high representatives of the Egyptian Navy. This vessel is the first of a series of four units that will be delivered to Egypt before 2019.



The cutting of the first metal sheets for the first GOWIND® 2500 corvette built in Lorient symbolises the launch of the ambitious industrial program conducted by DCNS for the Egyptian Navy. It includes the construction of four latest-generation corvettes, both in France and Egypt. The delivery of the first vessel is slated for 2017, i.e., less than four years after the signature of the contract last summer.

A new international success for DCNS

In the frame of an international call for tender, DCNS was able to offer the best product at the most attractive cost. The Group was able to comply with the very tight deadlines to adapt the product to the specific needs of this client for the construction of the vessels in France and in Egypt via technology transfer.

With this contract, DCNS has scored another success for the GOWIND® 2500. The Group had already won a first contract for the Royal Malaysian Navy, which covers the design and construction of six corvettes in Malaysia at the Boustead Naval Shipyard through technology transfer.

The first Egyptian GOWIND® 2500 corvette will be built on the DCNS site in Lorient, one of the most modern naval shipyards in Europe. The three following units will be built in Alexandria within the frame of a construction technology transfer agreement. “This industrial milestone is the concrete output of preliminary work to adapt the vessel to the specific needs of the Egyptian Navy, conducted over the last nine months by the DCNS teams. Today, we have started the construction of the very first GOWIND® 2500 corvette, the reference product on the corvette market. We are proud to produce this latest-generation vessel for the Egyptian Navy, declares Bruno Chapeland, director of the Egypt GOWIND® program at DCNS.

I place my best on dsme news or attack heli 

Mrca highly unlikely 
We don't want to get involved. No point is doing so unless like Pakistan army

Tp artikel dia nampak lain skit. Ade persoalan, are we ready?? Hope we are...... tak nampak mcm procurement..... nampak mcm involvement in something

ke pasal warrior competition ke....

Marine Corp?

My bet goes to this
Looks like something with all the tri-service branch

Join command center ?

Are we ready to operate attack helicopter given our limited experience? Ni satu persoalan juga

Macam are we ready to operate another class of submarine instead of scorpene 

Neh.. i am sure our top brass does not to want to involve in any kind of war. Barang pun tak cukup untuk negara sendiri nak sibuk negara lain. Betul tak?
Oh hold already iinm
Dcns for sure. Cut and straight assemble there

Here we have cut, send to here and assemble

Kemenhan Akan Tender Pengganti F-5 Tiger

SENIN, 13 APRIL 2015 | 05:41 WIB

TEMPO.CO , Jakarta:Kementerian Pertahanan akan membuka tender pengadaan pengganti F-5 Tiger milik TNI Angkatan Udara. Pesawat tempur F-5 Tiger sudah uzur untuk melaksanakan tugas pengawasan wilayah udara Indonesia.

"Tendernya sedang dikerjakan, sebab tender besar tidak bisa satu atau dua hari selesai," kata kata Kepala Pusat Komunikasi Publik Kementerian Pertahanan, Brigadir Jenderal Jundan Eko Bintoro, ketika dihubungi Tempo, Ahad, 12 April 2015.

Sesuai rencana, Jundan melanjutkan, Kementerian Pertahanan akan membuka tender tersebut tahun ini. Sayangnya Jundan belum bisa memastikan waktu pembukaan tender pembelian pesawat tempur baru."Jika dibuka, nanti kami akan berbicara ke media," kata dia.

Soal anggaran, Jundan memilih bungkam. Dia hanya mengatakan bahwa anggaran pembelian pesawat tempur baru TNI AU sudah masuk dalam Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara tahun ini. "Anggarannya sudah ada, tunggu saja nanti hasilnya," kata dia.

INDRA WIJAYA

Some TLDM pilots sent to familiarize with seahawk.

FRCSE hosts Indonesian military for familiarization visit.



Photos by Kaylee LaRocque
HSM-74 pilots and maintenance personnel gather near an MH-60R "Romeo" helicopter with a group of Indonesian naval officers visiting the squadron on Nov. 3. The guests toured several facilities at NAS Jacksonville including the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast and HSM-74.

Malaysia reveals plans for Laksamana-class corvette upgrades

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
19 April 2015

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has given further details of the proposed service life extension programme (SLEP) for its Laksamana (ASSAD)-class corvettes.

The plans, which include a replacement of the ships' surface-to-surface missile launchers and fire-control radar, were outlined by Commander Badarudin Bin Taha, a staff officer from the RMN's plans development division, during the fifth annual OPVs & Corvettes Asia Pacific conference in Singapore.

Other components of the SLEP include replacing the ships' active search and navigation radar, heavy machine guns, combat management system, electronic support measures and integrated bridge and platform management systems. Also being considered for upgrade are the vessels' 105 mm chaff launchers and identification friend-or-foe interrogator.