LANGKAWI: Two Contenders for MRSS. Despite the MOU between Boustead and PT PAL, there is yet no guarantee that they will build the MRSS. Facing off against the offering is one from China though it is not clear which ship or the shipyard. Although, one China firm is taking part in LIMA 17, CSSC, it did not display a LPD-type ship, similar to the MRSS concept. In the previous LIMA, they had of course. PT PAL of Indonesia, in the other hand had a model of its MRSS and the picture of it as the backdrop of its booth. Basically its a refinement of the model shown in Indo Defense last year. Boustead, meanwhile, did not have a model although it touted the MOU with PT PAL with a banner. I did not find anyone who could speak about the MRSS or even the LCS and LMS for that matter but I guess there is still time to speak with them in the next few days. Hopefully. I am not sure whether the competition from China is a serious one or simply an attempt to make the Boustead/PT PAL offer an honest one. I am told the project will be funded soon, likely to be in 2018, if all goes well in the economic and political spheres, of course. I am told a point defence system is needed while a medium calibre gun is also specified. Of course, if they decided on a China made ship, it is likely to be fitted with China made weapons system as Western companies are not allowed to fit military grade stuff on such vessels. The Boustead/PT PAL model has a 57mm gun so I guess that is probably the choice of the builders. Interestingly, KRI Banjarmasin, the third Makassar class which the MRSS based on is fitted with a 40mm L70 Bofors gun as main gun. The ship is taking part in LIMA 17. Anyhow, work on the MMEA OPV is expected to start early next year. The three ships will be built at the TTHE shipyard in Pulau Indah, THHE officials confirmed. As reported previously, the ship will be built to the Damen 1800 OPV design. However, unlike 1800 design, the MMEA OPV will not come with a hangar for an embarked helicopter. It can land and refuel helicopters up to an AW139, however, as well as UAVs. No decision has been made on the UAV. It will be fitted with four Caterpillar diesel engines with two screws for a design speed of 20 knots. It will be 83 meters long and crewed by 70 personnel.
i thought MRSS was not on the RMN priority list???
Is it possible for malaysia JV with Russia and maybe also India to set up service center or spare parts factory in malaysia? Perhaps this will solve the maintenance problem.
A combat operation that legends are made of just occurred under the cover of darkness on March 21-22 as US Special Operations troops and elite Kurdish special forces parachuted deep into deep into ISIS-held ground while other US-backed SDF troops made an amphibious assault that succeeded in retaking the Tabqa Dam from the Islamic State who were caught by surprise.
Some of the following information is unconfirmed but comes from our trusted sources and will give a more in depth look at what happened beyond the “official” CJTF-OIR statement.
The airborne troops jumped from at least a half dozen rotary-wing aircraft into at least two different drop zones onto a peninsula west of Raqqa near Abu Asi. There are even rumors of a high altitude jump taking place. The Syrian democratic Forces (SDF) have proven to be the top indigenous fighting force in the region, without a doubt. Yet, a very very small population within the ranks of the SDF is airborne qualified, and there were indeed Kurdish troops on the jump. This means that the Kurdish Counter Terror Group (CTG) from northern Iraq was definitely there leading the way. It’s also possible, and even likely, that the CTG’s Syrian counterpart, the Syrian Kurdish Anti-Terror Forces Command (HAT) were also in on the Airborne operation, considering the high echelon of their training. The key strategic ground now held on the Western flank cuts off the main ISIS supply route flowing from Aleppo to Raqqa.
Meanwhile, a massive amphibious mission was underway. The SDF’s Kurdish YPG and Syrian Arab Coalition fighters led by Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) boarded Zodiac watercraft and whatever boats they could find, and made a more direct assault onto the dam itself, east of the airborne drop zone. The dam was being used as an ISIS headquarters, a prison for high value individuals, and a training camp. They were successful in taking the dam.
As the footholds across the Euphrates were confirmed, bridge boats were loaded with combat vehicles, supply trucks, and command and control vehicles, and they made their way for the beach heads to reinforce the initial shock troops who were carrying very little water, ammo, and supplies in order to stay highly mobile.
According to our reports, the fighting was intense, but somewhat brief, as Islamic State forces were caught of guard, most likely overconfident after the coalition’s recent failed attempt to take the dam. ISIS had also most likely pushed a good portion of their force to fortify the east of Raqqa after a recent night of successful raids by these same elite SDF troops and US commandos. Some ISIS fighters were killed, while most panicked and retreated into the actual town of Tabqa. Reports on twitter say that IS is now pushing troops to reinforce and entrench Tabqa for a fight.
While airborne and amphibious assaults were happening, ISIS was taking an absolute beating from the skies. AH-64 Apache helicopters rocked enemy fighting positions and scattering fighters. The newly arrived Marine artillery unit pounded IS targets all night. Fighter jets continuously stayed on station scorching through the sky in order to keep enemy heads down while the ground forces could set up shop.
US-SDF forces now have Raqqa blocked on three sides and hold some critical high ground. The coalition forces are wasting no time and have now initiated airstrikes and clearing operations to purge the tactically useless, but necessary, town of Tabqa and will also be conquering the strategic Tabqa airfield to the south.
Another important aspect of retaking this ground, the airfield, and getting Raqqa completely surrounded has just as much to do with our competitors as it does with the Islamic State. Russian and Syrian regime forces have been steadily making their way toward Raqqa from Homs and Palmyra to the south. They’re too late. This latest successful operation has all but blocked Syrian and Russian forces from meddling in the Raqqa operation and the rest that will follow in the region.
ISIS is on their last leg in Raqqa, and while they will undoubtedly fight wildly like a cornered, desperate animal, using seemingly unlimited SVBIEDs, booby trapping every house and street, and fighting from hidden tunnels below the city… they are dead men walking. It’s over, but they just don’t know it yet.
Death toll rises as 13 Philippine Marines are killed in Marawi city yesterday
Philippine Army reinforcements enter the outskirts of Marawi city
The Philippines military suffered its biggest one-day loss since 10 troops were killed in a friendly-fire incident on June 1.
Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera announced there had been 13 Philippine marines killed in the battle, a setback in the government's quest to retake the city.
He said the marines were conducting clearing operations died after an "intense" house-to-house firefight during which they encountered improvised explosive devices and were attacked by rocket-propelled grenades.
The deaths take the number of security force members killed to 58, with 20 civilians and more than a hundred rebel fighters also killed in the Marawi battles.
Last time friendly fire 10 KIA, now another 13 KIA . U guys think how long would it be for the PH army to retake the city?
Military Thread V24, Celebrating 60th Malaysian Merdeka Day 
Mar 21 2017, 06:18 PM
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