Other stuff that need to be bought

These weapon system have been mentioned by Mindef for procurement since 4,5 years ago.But since then,nothing concrete about the procurement programme have ever surfaced,other than rumors and possibilities mentioned by top brass within MAF.Some of the system already being tested before,however until now no significant decision has been made.

Among those weapon system are:


1-self propelled howitzer(SPH)

SPH system offered much flexible role than towed howitzer of similar caliber.It's maneuverability means it is less vulnerable to enemy counter-battery fire.It can also bombard one particular area and move to another location to do similar task,faster.

among system that has been tested by Malaysian Army include:

K9 Thunder

 http://www.military-today.com/artillery/k9_thunder.htm

Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder 155mm/52caliber SPH can be considered as one of the best SPH in the world.Currently it has only 2 true counterparts(another tracked SPH with 52 caliber gun) which is:PzH-2000(Germany) and (quite)recently, PLZ05(China).K9 can shoot a target up to 60km away with RAP ammunition,and recently they already developed a new ammunition that can shoot a target up to 100km away.Turkish Army already acquired manufacturing rights from Samsung Techwin and developed SPH based on K9 system with some modification.

Caesar

http://www.military-today.com/artillery/caesar.htm

Caeser is a lightweight SPH made by French GIAT for French Army.Being lightweight,it can be transported by C-130,A400(both which is operated or will be operated by RMAF).Also of 52caliber,which means it can also shoot RAP ammunition up to 60km away.Currently,Thailand already operated it,along side M109 SPH,in their arsenal.


2-mid-range surface to air missile system

GAPU("Gerup Artilleri Pertahanan Udara",or "Air Defence Artillery Group" in english) has operated a wide mix of weapon system ranging from bofors AA gun to Rapier SHORADS(SHOrt Range Air Defence System).However one similarities about these weapons is that it is only used for short range air defence task(less than 10km away).Anything more than that and they need to depend on their air force counterpart for assistance.Problem is RMAF right now doesn't have much aircraft to spare(currently 18 Su-30MKM+8F/A-18D,MiG-29 will be retired.and then there's the ocean to patrol and stuff like that).Over-reliance to RMAF will strain their fighter wing.

These are the system that have been reviewed previously:

Buk-M1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BUK-M1

Designed as replacement of SA-6 'KUB',Buk-M1 are capable to detect and engage multiple targets simultaneously from up to 50km,depending on the missile.Optical target seeking system means that it can also being launched without using radar to avoid anti-radiation attack(from missiles such as American HARM or british ALARM) and has better resistance to ECM.The missile itself has undergo changes as well,with current missile has effective range of up to 66% than previous one.Currently it serve with various nation including India and Syria.Current version,Buk-M1-2 (NATO code name SA-17) is available for export.


KS-1A

 http://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/hongqi12.asp

KS-1 is developed to replace aging Chinese-copy of SA-2 in service in the 80s.It is the first Chinese SAM that used phased-array radar.Little is known about this missile except that it has general resemblance to MIM-23 HAWK.China has offered the system to Malaysia along with ToT.


3-attack helicopter

Attack helicopter proved useful in many conflict,from conventional war(such as in Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom) to fighting insurgency(such as in Pakistan recently).It can be used for anti-tank role,reconnaissance,close air support and fighting guerrilla.Unlike a fighter aircraft(or ground attack aircraft),attack helos can spend time loitering at one particular are for a significantly longer time,and unlike medium size transport helicopter,it is more agile and smaller size means that it is harder to be detected/locked on.

Malaysia was almost have its own attack helos in the nineties( Denel AH-2 Rooivalk from South Africa) until financial crisis forced Mindef to hold,and ultimately canceled the deal.Denel already close Rooivalk production so Malaysia have to find another options.Based on the price and the availability,the author (me) has shortlisted only 2 helos that would be a possible options for Malaysia.

AH-1Z

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-1Z

AH-1Z,also known as "Zulu(Z) Cobra",a continuation of the legendary Cobra series,is currently being used by USMC(US marine corps).Among upgrades compared to its predecessor includes four-blade, bearing-less, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system.Its main armament is 3-barreled 20mm gatling gun and can be equipped with 2.75 inch rocket and can carry AIM-9 air-to-air missile and up to 16 AGM-114 hellfire missile(just like AH-64D belongs to Singapore).No export have been made for this variant yet,and Bell already offered this helos to Malaysia.

Eurocopter Tiger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_Tiger

Eurocopter Tiger started its development as an advanced attack helicopter to fulfill French and Germany requirement in the eighties.It has several variants,from multipurpose combat helicopter to fire-support variant,depending on requirement.It is armed with 30mm cannon and can carry a combination of rockets,machine gun pod,and also Hellfire missile.Current operator include France,Germany,Spain,Pakistan and Australia.Like Bell,Eurocopter also offered this helo for Malaysia.

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All systems mentioned above have been reviewed by MAF for future acquisition.However due to decrease in funding,more pressing replacement(like new MPSS,APC and transport helicopter) and fvcking idiots(read:opposition party) in the parliament, these will not be materialized in near future.God Willing,we'll be able to acquire this after more urgent replacement is done and we'll be able to concentrate on bolstering our capabilities again(towards 3rd phase of modernization)