Despite the fact that Malaysia is a country of two halves, namely Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, separated by the South China Sea, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is rather underpowered compared to the scope of its tasks: it consisted of only 39 surface ships and 2 submarines. The smallness of the NMR becomes even more acute when considering the fact that Malaysia makes up half of the Straits of Malacca and the extent of Malaysia's claims to the 200 NM EEZ - which includes portions of the disputed Spratly Islands also claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines and Brunei. Matters for the RMN are not helped by the fact that a significant portion of the surface fleet is more than 20 years in service, resulting in these ships spending increasingly more time in maintenance and repair. Since the 1990s, the RNM has continuously planned to increase the size and capabilities of its fleet, but much of its plans have been hindered or hindered by the Malaysian government's approach towards defense development, where defense programs planned are carried forward or postponed. based on political expediency. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Two cases illustrate this, the first of which is the RMN's Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MPSS) requirement. This was originally intended to be implemented under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001-2005), but has yet to be achieved, despite the loss in a fire in 2009 of the Royal Malaysian Navy's only amphibious-capable ship , the Newport Class LST KD Sri Inderapura. Instead, the Malaysian government continues to postpone the program on an annual basis despite the RMN highlighting the urgent need for the MPSS program. The second case concerns the canceled Lekiu Batch 2 class frigates. In 2006 the Malaysian government signed a letter of intent with BAE Systems for the construction of two ships following the existing 2 Lekiu class frigates already in service in the RMN. The batch two ships were to be built locally at the Labuan Shipyard and Engineering Shipyard. However, in August 2009, it was reported that both the Malaysian government and BAE Systems had reached an agreement not to go ahead with the deal due to cost-cutting measures by the Malaysian government. Balancing these setbacks in current development was the procurement of two Scorpene submarines and the establishment of an operational underwater capability. However, the circumstances surrounding the procurement continue to be an ongoing source of political controversy in Malaysia. The RMN was inadvertently involved in it and the next announced program will follow the Kedah Next Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) class program currently in service, the RMN Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Despite the LCS moniker, the six ships planned to be built under this program will have conventional hull designs rather than the unconventional designs of the US LCS program. Despite these developments, the NMR will enter 2012 with deep cuts to its requirements. For the 2012 defense budget, the Royal Malaysian Navy requested MYR4.39 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the procurement and purchase of equipment, but instead received only MYR759 million (US$243 million dollars). This cut will not affect the LCS program which is funded by a special appropriation; however, the result is that the RMN will have to postpone some of its planned programs for 2012, such as the procurement of 6 helicopters for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and the strengthening of the armament ofKedah-class NGPV. In terms of operational organization, the RMN is composed of four operational commands with the Fleet Operations Command overseeing 3 area commands. A fifth operational command, the Submarine Command, is in the process of being established to oversee not only submarine operations but also training, support and administration regarding the RMN submarine force. The Fleet Operations Command, located at RMN Lumut, is also responsible for all RMN overseas missions. The RMN currently has only one operational mission overseas, namely "Operation Fajar", an ongoing mission to escort merchant ships belonging to the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation through piracy-infested waters near the Gulf of Aden. The mission was triggered by the seizure of two MISCs in September 2008 by pirates and the RMN has since carried out an indefinite anti-piracy escort mission in the region. RMN fleet ships initially performed these escort missions, but the cost and wear and tear of ships assigned to these missions led the Navy to partner with MISC to provide an alternative solution. This is a MISC merchant vessel converted to function as a naval auxiliary vessel in the region. Therefore, the container ship Bunga Mas Lima was converted to an auxiliary vessel RMN on 1 June 2009, after the completion of modification work on the vessel for its task. Modifications to the 699 TEU container ship (owned by MISC) included the installation of a helicopter landing deck, small arms mounts, military-grade communications and medical facilities, the ability to launch the RMN small craft and a repaint of the ship in RMN colours. MISC personnel commissioned as naval reservists form the ship's crew. Additionally, a combined Special Forces team from all three services of the Malaysian Armed Forces are also stationed on the ship, along with a medical team and a RMN Naval Helicopter Detachment with a single helicopter. The success of this led to the launch of a second naval auxiliary, Bunga Mas 6, in August this year, to operate concurrently in the region with Bunga Mas 5. One ship is escorting westbound ships, while the the other will escort ships heading east. However, budgetary and operational constraints have prevented the RMN from having an additional helicopter detachment to operate, so the sole RMN helicopter in the area will be deployed on one or the other ship as needed. The RMN's three principal operational commands are COMNAV I, located at RMN Kuantan, which is responsible for the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the part of it in the South China Sea that comprises Malaysia's 200-mile EEZ, claims there, together to the waters along the Singapore Strait. COMNAV II, located in RMN Sepanggar, is responsible for the entire coastline and waters of the eastern Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the various seas surrounding them that are part of Malaysia's 200-mile EEZ claims. COMNAV III, located in RMN Langkawi, is responsible for the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the Straits of Malacca. The RMN divides some of its surface ships evenly among the three area commands while the remaining ships are deployed to the areas depending on operational or training needs. Both submarines are permanently stationed at RMN Sepanggar in the COMNAV II operational area. While all three naval commands are important, COMNAV II is seen as the main operational challenge as the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah, whose waters fall under COMNAV II, faces the South China Sea, Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea. The portion of the China SeaSouthern belonging to COMNAV II includes the disputed Spratly Islands. Malaysia currently maintains 5 military outposts there, the largest of which is Naval Station Lima on Swallow Reef, various works undertaken since its initial occupation in 1983 have resulted in the reef becoming an island approximately 7.3km long and wide 2.2 meters. This gives it a land space of approximately 6 hectares with a runway capable of supporting C-130 transport aircraft and a pier that allows RMN patrol assets to operate from there. Since 1999, Malaysia has not added any additional outposts in the Spratlys beyond the current five. The Spratly Islands and the area of ​​the South China Sea surrounding them are known to the NMR as the “Gugusan Semarang Peninjau” (SPG) operating area, which roughly translates to “Frontier Reconnaissance Island Chain” in English. The importance of the GSP area is illustrated by the RMN's recently acquired Scorpene class 2 submarine base at RMN Sepanggar. The submarines completed their weapons firing test and initial phase of operational capability training with the first fleet exercise involving the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman submarine which took place from 29 July to 6 August 2010 in the South China Sea . The exercise - known as Operation Sea Training Exercise / Fleet Integration Training With Submarine 2010 (OSTEX/SUB FIT 2010) - involved 10 other RMN vessels. These included the frigates KD Lekiu and KD Lekir and the patrol ships KD Perak, KD Terengganu, KD Pahang and KD Kedah and 1,000 personnel from the RMN and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Elements of the RMN special forces, diving and air defense teams also participated. The RMAF deployed 2 BAE Hawks, a Beechcraft 200T maritime patrol aircraft and an S-61 helicopter for the exercise. The exercise was organized by the RMN COMNAV 2 headquarters at the RMN. An official RMN press release on the activity stated that the purpose of the exercise was to assess the readiness of the RMN fleet, develop the capabilities of the RMN and RMAF in submarine operations, highlight the RMN presence in the Sea South Chinese and test emergency conditions plans for the defense of NRM positions located in the Spratly Islands. The RMN, however, held much of the training and firing exercises involving submarines well away from the Spratlys so as not to inflame the claimants there. Still interesting was the fact that the NRM openly stated its need to highlight its presence in the South China Sea and its contingency plans for the defense of the NRM outposts in the Spratlys. A similar OSTEX exercise took place in July this year, this time involving both RMN submarines along with 9 RMN surface ships. The RMN originally held 3 different OSTEX exercises per year, one each in the Straits of Malacca, the Peninsular Malaysia portion of the South China Sea, and the East Malaysia portion of the South China Sea. However, in 2010, budget restrictions led to the exercises being combined into a single activity in the eastern South China Sea. This was the case again this year, the choice of location for the Ostex exercises in 2010 and 2011 clearly indicates the RMN's concern for the Spratly Islands. At the time of writing, it is too early to say which programs the RMN will postpone or defer due to the cut in its 2012 procurement funding requests. A review by the RMN is currently underway following the announcement of the 2012 award in October this year. Among the programs that RMN wants to implement under Malaysia's 10th plan of 2011-2015 is the purchase of 6 ASW helicopters with theUnited States strongly promoting the MH-60R Seahawk to meet this requirement. The six ASW helicopters will add to the RMN Naval Air Wing's current strength of six Super Lynx and six Fennec helicopters. service Kedah-class NGPVs with anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons systems. The ships currently have only a 76 mm main gun and a 2 x 30 mm cannon as their only weapons. With the cancellation of Batch 2 Lekius, it is expected that RMN will have to settle for a possible upgrade and SLEP of the 2 existing Lekius in service. And expected to be delayed once again due to the funding crisis will be the MPSS vessel. The silver lining for RMN will be the expected signing of the agreement to build the six LCSs in December this year at the Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), although it remains to be seen when the planned entry into service of these vessels will take place. In the meantime, however, it is expected that the RMN will carry out its tasks for the next few years with the currently existing fleet. For Malays in the peninsula at least, Lumut would be THE Navy town where the main base of the Royal Malaysian Navy is located. Therefore many would not be aware that Sepanggar Bay in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah would become another world-class naval base where Command Naval Area 2 or COMNAV 2 is located after being relocated from KD Sri Labuan. This is where our submarines will be based and under COMNAV 3 there are also many units which you can read all about on the COMNAV2 website, although currently only available in English, including Naval Representative Office Kuching (RNO/PWTL) and KD Sri Rejang in Sibu. This assignment would however focus on an isolated area of ​​operations for the RMN, namely the naval stations in Gugusan Semarang Peninjau which since the declaration of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on 20 September 1979, have become outposts to validate the claims of the Malaysia's areas under the EEZ that are at least 156 nautical miles away from Kota Kinabalu. It comprises five stations originally built on outer atolls, with the most developed now expanded into a full-fledged island that is now a popular diving spot in the region. This is in contrast to Layang-Layang Island's origins, when the island began receiving its first human population three years after a claim plaque was erected on the coral atoll. It was June 21, 1980, when eighteen brave Paskal men landed in May 1983 to build the first camp in defiance of the elements. This place is called Wisma Kaki Langit because at the time the only infrastructure available was a helipad for personnel transfer and soldiers had to camp outdoors on the bare coral reef. When, six years later, the actual naval station was built with the construction of a small living and operating quarter, it was also decided that the enlarged island that became the atoll will also be developed as a tourist attraction so that the potential tourist of the atoll the island can be exploited. So in 1995 more buildings were added, including two blocks of air-conditioned accommodation, an airstrip, which can be used by Hercules C-130 and CN235 aircraft, two hangars, a radar station, an air traffic control tower , guard towers and a pier made the island a true island station code-named Lima Station for the Navy men stationed there to safeguard our nation's claims to the area. Patrols are carried out around the island by navy soldiers on CB90H attack ships and larger, faster patrol boats. Several anti-ship and anti-aircraft guns are positioned in different areas of the island and RMAF personnel operate a Starburst air defense system to prevent air attacks onlow level here. Ubi Reef or Station Uniform was one of the stations whose construction was started. in the mid-1980s with the aim of monitoring and protecting territorial waters within international borders. It was built in early 1986 by the Malaysian Shipping Engineering Corporation and in its initial stage was just a module built on a 60 meter long and 30 meter wide barge, anchored on top of the Ubi Reef (Ardasier Reef) which is supposed to be the largest Gugusan Semarang Peninjau coral reef. The station officially opened on April 16, 1986 and is located 16 nautical miles southwest of Lima Station and 25 miles south of Mike Station. In 2000 the station was expanded by infilling around the lagoon basin and a canal was built for the safe passage of the visiting Navy CB90 Combat Boat to enter and dock at the station. A lighthouse was also built about a mile east of the station to signal the guidance of boats into the lagoon. A buoy has also been positioned in the center of the lagoon to facilitate mooring of boats. Overall, the Station Uniform's assets have been greatly improved to increase the station's operational readiness. The next reef to be populated was Station Mike or Mantanani Reef, when a habitat module built by the Malaysian Shipping Engineering Corporation was anchored on the reef in the middle of September 1986 and was officially opened three months later. The 44 meter long Station Mike is located approximately 35 nautical miles north of Station Lima and is close to a Vietnamese settlement on Amboyna Cay just 40 nautical miles away. However, on May 18, 1994, the area around the islet was declared a restricted area, perhaps due to its proximity to competing forces. The history of the founding of Station Sierra or Siput Reef began with the construction of a barge-type module on Jerjak Island by PSCND. The module was specially designed originally as a floating vessel to facilitate towing at sea before being anchored at Siput Reef. The tow was carried out in April 1999 under the code name Ops Sri Petaling, whereby the module was towed in disguise to avoid the attention of neighboring countries in an operation that lasted almost a month. Navigation and towing operations were undertaken with several RMN vessels in escort until reaching the site and anchored approximately 16 nautical miles southwest of Station Mike. Location selection and positioning of the module was carried out at high tide so that it could be anchored more easily at low tide and, once this was deemed satisfactory, the module was landed and filled with concrete and rocks to strengthen it anchoring. This work was completed in early May 1999 and officially named on 10 May 1999. In its first operations, it was stated that the module was built for marine and scientific research to reduce pressure and misunderstanding from requesting nations. The station was further protected by the Sri Petaling Ops Extension for Monitoring and Defense to safeguard the station from any threat, especially from nations opposed to Malaysia's settlement on the islet. Similarly Papa Station was also built by PSCND which was originally a module built on top of a large barge which was towed to its current site in Ops Sri Petaling itself in early April 1999 before being anchored in the middle of the barrier Peninjau reef and located 70 miles north-east of Lima station. Work on anchoring the module on the station's largest reef was completed and then officially opened on the 10th.