April 22, 2014

Royal Malaysian navy needs modern assets

RMNS kasturi (26)-and-lekir(25)



KUALA LUMPUR: THE disappearance of Malaysia Airlines   flight MH370, the Lahad  Datu intrusion and yet another kidnapping in Sabah by Filipino militants have   boosted   calls to acquire new assets for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said sophisticated technological assets were needed not just to protect the country's maritime territories, but also to boost search-and-rescue operations.
"To fulfil our geostrategic needs in the face of multilateral threats, we need to fortify ourselves with new-generation assets to enhance our capabilities as a formidable navy. RMN is turning 80 and it is time to heighten our preparedness against any spectrum of eventualities to protect our sovereignty," he said in an interview in conjunction with RMN's 80 anniversary on Sunday.

Short of implying that finances should no longer be an excuse for compromising safety and security, Aziz said there would be greater savings in the long run by replacing near-obsolete assets with modern equipment that required less maintenance.
One of the immediate measures RMN had undertaken, he said, was the service life extension programme (SLEP) for the 30-year-old frigates KD Kasturi dan KD Lekir.

SLEP involves the upgrades and refurbishments of its anti-ship armaments, radar, sonar and navigation equipment.By 2019, RMN will take delivery of the first of its six littoral combat ships to complement its six new-generation patrol vessels.

Aziz said the celebration's theme would be "Preparedness to Protect the Waters".Of special significance will be the conferment of pennants to the naval special forces base KD Sri Semporna in Sabah and the diving and mines warfare centre KD Duyong in Lumut by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also RMN captain-in-chief, will attend the celebration.

http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/navy-needs-modern-assets-1.575373

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