Muchas Gracias, Terimakasih, Colombia!

SHAH ALAM: As we are about to embark on the LCS/SGPV project, lets take moment to show our appreciation to the Colombian Navy for their forward thinking in upgrading their 4 HDW FS 1500 frigates, the Almirante Padilla-class, which are similar to the two Kasturi-class ships operated by the RMN.

Why we should be grateful to the Colombians you may ask? Because they choose to upgrade their frigates with much of the sub-systems that had been chosen for our LCS/SGPV (I still call them Laksamana -class frigates). 

Unlike the Colombians which embarked on a modernisation programme for their SLEP, we chose the much cheaper option when extending the service lives of KD Kasturi and KD Lekir. All six ships – four from the Colombian Navy – are about the same vintage.

KD Kasturi (25) as seen at Lumut on Jan 15, 2014

From a Thales press release:

Thales and DCNS announce the comprehensive modernisation programme of the Colombian Navy’s four Almirante Padilla class frigates has been concluded with a successful Sea Acceptance Test of the class’s fourth ship. The contract with the Colombian authorities was signed early 2009, with DCNS acting as prime contractor and Thales as the lead systems integrator for the combat system and communications suite.

An illustration detailing the Orion Upgrade Programme for the Almirante Padilla class frigates.

In the scope of this modernisation programme, Thales and local shipyard, Cotecmar, have installed and integrated the SMART-S Mk2 surveillance radar, STING EO Mk2 electro-optic weapon control system, MIRADOR optronic weapon control system, VIGILE 200S electronic support measures (ESM) system, communications systems and Terma’s SKWS decoys launching system, on the four Padilla class ships. Thales has also modernised the vessels’ Altesse communications intelligence (COMINT) systems.

Apart from this, new MTU-93 engines were fitted to the ships. The MTU engines are probably the same ones to be fitted to our LCS/SGPVs. Again, Terimakasih, Colombia.

Two of the Almirante Padilla class frigates 

at sea after their upgrades.

With almost all of the sub-sytems for the LCS/SGPV already operational in the four frigates much of the integration for the LCS/SGPV project had been validated. Yes they still need to validate the SAM and some other sub-systems but as shown by the press release, much of the integration work including for the the SETIS CMS provided by DCNS had been validated and operational. 

We may still need to run tests for our own ships but much of the guess work had been solved by DCNS and Thales for the Colombian project.

Problems could crop up of course during the LCS/SGPV building – the South African Navy MEKO A200 first vessel was delayed after faulty wiring was installed on the ship – but this could be prevented by rigorous quality control checks.

Previously, during the run-up to the construction of the Kedah-class, I had written that it would have been great for us to test out the sub-systems by installing them on the Kasturi-class ships first. It did not happened of course and in the end, the ship’s troubles were not connected with the integration process but were mostly due to financial shenanigans. 

The same opportunity presented itself with the LCS/SGPV but I guess the lack of funds had prevented the same option. Anyhow, I sincerely hope BNS and its suppliers, DCNS and Thales will use the experience with the Colombian ships to ensure that LCS/SGPV project goes on time and under budget. Anything less will be disgraceful.

Will the LCS/SGPV escaped RMN’s new ship’s hodoo? Only time will tell.
Sumber :  Malaysian Defence