The need to maintain a credible strike and patrol force has to be balanced out with the need to have amphibious deployments, especially for the smaller navies, in particular for those nations that have regions divided by a wide expanse of water like Malaysia or those with a long coastline that would render its borders quite porous to defend unless forces can be easily deployed to the area. Therefore the navy is supposed to be able to transfer and support any military initiatives in disparate areas of operations in times of war. Peacetime crisis would also require the navy to assist in the provision of humanitarian efforts in situations like disaster relief and evacuation. The RMN themselves can trace their amphibious roots to the time when the Royal Navy’s Malay Navy seamen manned converted merchantmen that were later used to evacuate evacuees after the fall of British Malaya and Borneo. When the Malayan Naval Force was institutionalised, their first formal warship commissioned was the LCT Mk3 numbered as 341(MRC 1401), signifying one of the core roles the Force was expected to assume. After the Royal Malaysian Navy was established, procurement of assets required to carry out amphibious tasks was not overlooked, using both British and American designs. This started with the Ex-HMS Counterguard, a LCT Mk8 renamed as KD Sri Langkawi which was subsequently replaced by an American 511 class LST also named as the KD Sri Langkawi and later followed by two newer 542 class LST vessels, the KD Sri Banggi and KD Raja Jarom. Although designated as amphibious ships, the RMN actually used these ships in various supporting roles. This led the RMN to decide to bring in the following vessels that are still active in the logistic role for the fleet today although a second flare up that occured on the Inderapura class LST in 2009 has now left the navy with only two serviceable logistics ships. Nonetheless this incident seems to have accelerated the process to purchase new multirole support ships to enhance the navy's logistics role even further.
KD Sri Indera Sakti 1503 1979/1980
KD Mahawangsa 1504 1981/1983
Warships on operations at sea need the support of "mother" ships or tenders. In the RMN, this job is undertaken by two Multi-Purpose Command and Support Ships, the KD Sri Indera Sakti and KD Mahawangsa. These ships are however also usable as command and control ship and troop transport as a large operations room, vehicle holds and diver compression chamber is included in their configuration. The KD Sri Indera Sakti, commissioned on November 7, 1980 is armed with one 57mm Bofors MK 1 forward gun and two 20mm single guns that are controlled by a fire control system. Bremen Vulkan in West Germany built the ship. The sister ship, KD Mahawangsa, was built in South Korea by Korea Tacoma and commissioned on May 16, 1983. Physically she differs slightly from the KD Indera Sakti in that she is fitted with two instead of one 57 mm Bofors MK 1 single guns, the incorporation of additional special capacity to load ammunitions and the enlargement of the helicopter deck by the repositioning of her engine funnel. Nevertheless both ships have the same dimensions and have similar capabilities, including helicopter-landing decks. They are generally used as logistics support ships for the RMN fleet for long distance voyages or patrol and as supply ships. In addition to their general duties, they are used as training ships for cadets since in addition to a crew component of 140 officers and ratings; they are able to accommodate additional 215 men. These ships can travel up to a maximum distance of 22,400 km without refuelling and is fitted with replenishment equipment including a 15-ton crane. It can carry 1,300 tonnes of diesel and 200 tonnes of fresh water, with 300 square metres of provision space. On deck, there is also space for 10 20-foot containers. In addition up to 17 armoured vehicles and 600 troops can be carried allowing these ships to be used as transports for Malaysian international missions, especially into war torn areas. Their weaponry also ensures that they are able to defend themselves even when operating alone. Moreover, they can also provide firing support for the navy's amphibious operations. All these capabilities prove that these ships are true Multi-Purpose Command and Support Ships.
Displacement: 1800 tons standard, 4300(4900 1504) tons full loadDimensions: 100 m (103 M)x 14.9m x 4.8m
Guns: 1(2) x Bofors 57mm/70 Bofor SAK Mk 1, 2 x 20mm Oerlikon GAM-BO1. (Range : Main 17 Km, Aux : 2 Km/ 1.6 Km)
Electronics: Decca TM 1226, Naja Optronic Fire Control System
Propulsion: 2 x Deutz S/BMV6 540 diesels at 5986hp to two shafts, bow thrusters, controllablepitch propellers
Speed: 16.5 knots, range 7400 Km at 14 Knots.
Crew: 140 + 215
Aircraft: Platform Aft
Sri Gaya Class Fast Troop Vessel
KD Sri Tiga 332 1998/2001
The RMN in May 2001 commissioned their newest vessels, the locally built KD Sri Gaya and KD Sri Tiga in Labuan, Sabah. Named after islands in Sabah, they were originally built in 1998 as fast ferries for a local ferry service company but the order was cancelled. Instead, the Navy will now use them as Fast Troop Vessels (FTV). Costing RM16 million each, the 37.5 metre aluminium monohull FTV's were built by PSC-NDSB using Australian technology. These vessels are specially designed to suit the local environment in having reinforced structure for rugged use and are also designed for easy manoeuvrability in shallow waters. Both vessels will serve with the 33rd Supply Squadron that serves the navy's offshore stations besides handling rapid troop movements to locations off Sabah and Sarawak, in their role as light logistics vessels. Built on a modular system, the FTV's configuration depends on the platform installed in the centre deck whether to carry troops or supplies in its 20-foot containers, four of which can be fitted. The FTV can also be configured to perform a host of other missions with. It can carry general cargo, marine ambulance and even be used as diving platforms. In addition, the FTV will boost the navy's surveillance capability over national waters in Sabah as they can also be used to patrol the seas in an auxiliary capacity with the installation of a 20mm gun. The FTV's multi-mission function is the vessel's plus point in the navy's operation.
Displacement: 116.5 tonnes
Dimensions: 37.5 m x 7.2m x 1.4m
Guns: Test fitted for Giat 15A 20mm
Electronics: Furuno Radar
Propulsion: 4 x MAN D2842 LE 408 at 1971hp to 4 Hamilton 521 waterjet propulser
Speed: 28 knots, range 1000Km at 14 knots
Crew: 8 + 32 in FTV role, 8 + 232 in ferry role.
Combat Boat 90 H FPB
21-24 1999
25-36 2001
As a maritime nation that has numerous small islands, it is necessary for the Royal Malaysian Navy to be equipped with many small patrol boats for efficient island patrols. Although designed to carry half a platoon of troops, the CB90H version C fast patrol boat is the Royal Malaysian Navy's latest acquisition for rapid deployment missions in the nation's territorial waters. Four of the dynamically shaped boats produced by Swedish firm Dockstavarvet entered the RMN inventory in 1999 to fulfil patrolling tasks of Offshore Station Units, especially in the disputed Spratly Islands chains and for surveillance and interception duties against illegal activities in the nation's large river systems and islands. In 2001, an additional 12 units were progressively inducted into the fleet for use in Sabah waters to face serious incursion threats from neighbouring criminal elements. The CB90H are also used for evacuation and search and rescue missions by the RMN. These boats uses a waterjet system for propulsion in place of propellers with a reverse bucket system for forward and reverse motion giving it the ability to operate even in shallow depths. The CB90H is also equipped with an integrated computerised navigational system. The CB90H has a welded aluminium construction with a reinforced bottom to withstand rough landings on all types of shoreline through her forward bow ramp. One of the most spectacular stunts it can pull of is a complete stop from full speed in less than two and a half boat lengths (37m). The maximum speed is 45 knots but when embarked with assault troops the speed is reduced to 38 knots. The boat carries a crew of four for ordinary patrol and eight for special operations. In maritime operations, it can carry up to 22 fully equipped troops or two tonnes of cargo. Consistent with her role for patrol and reconnaissance, the boat is also able to carry a number of mines that can be released directly from the boat. The boats can also operate for a period of 10 hours at sea with a constant speed of 40 knots. For weaponry, the boat can also be fitted with a heavy machine-gun or twin 120mm mortars, mines or SSM. With these features together with its small size, these combat boats can ably shoulder the navy's responsibilities in guarding the nation against low-level threats.
Displacement: 12 tons standard 15.8 tons full load
Dimensions: 14.9m x 3.8m x 0.8m
Guns: 2 x 12.7 GPMC, 1 x 20mm Giat 15A tested, mine-rails with room for 6 mines
Electronics: Navi-Sailor and digital charts with Trimbel 8-channel differential GPS, Furuno Search Radar
Propulsion: 2 x Scania DSI 1475M diesels giving 1286hp to 2 unit Kamewa/FF jet 410 water jets Speed: 45 knots, range 440 Km at 30 knots
Crew: 3 + 22 fully equipped personnel or two tonnes of cargo.
2 comments:
My father was the first CO of KD Sri Inderapura and was the team lead who went to NAB, Virginia to pick-up the boat.
Since Malaysia gov decided to purchase the damn boat, plague with so many problem.
Our Navy needs a fleet of those LST's and a port big enough to support it. If Iderapura longsided at Lumut, heck, the rest of the boats there can't come in.
We need a credible and thinking Navy like Singapore and a Navy managed and decided by the Navy, not by crooked politicians.
So well and nice posting , I like it.
Bathmate
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