Page 28 - ADT APRIL 2022 Online Magazine

and the only operator of the type in the Asia-
Pacific region. The RMAF took delivery of its
fourth aircraft in 2017, becoming the first oper-
ator to stand up a full squadron. The RMAF
recently upgraded one of its A400Ms with
tactical capabilities, enabling the aircraft to
perform missions such as aerial delivery, full [ SHOW REPORT ]
paratrooper deployment, or low-level flight. The
RMAF operates four A400Ms and primarily
uses the four-engine aircraft to transport pas-
sengers and cargo (particularly heavy cargo),
while air-to-air refuelling trials have also been
performed. In operation with the RMAF since
2015, the A400M has undertaken varied addi-
tional missions such as cargo and personnel
transport, humanitarian and disaster relief mis-
sions, transport of heavy equipment.

Eyeing Market Opportunity
At DSA 2022, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)
showcased its HDL-13000 Multi-Role Support
Ship(MRSS) which is being offered to the RMN.
With a displacement of 13,000 tons, the HDL-
13000 has a length of 160 meters, 25 meters
beam, and a height of about 12.5 meters. The
ship is able to carry two medium-sized helicop-
ters inside its hangar and has enough space for
three helipads on its deck.

HHI is also offering its Littoral Mission Ship
(LMS) design for the RMN as well as the Multi-
Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) for the Malaysian
Coast Guard. The South Korean company is
determined to follow up on its success in the
South East Asia region after achieving suc-
cess in exporting two 2,600 tonnes Jose-Rizal
Kongsberg also displayed a model of its Naval Strike Missile (NSM) class frigates to the Philippine Navy, both of
at the defence exhibition. The NSM has been selected by the RMN which have been commissioned in July 2020,
to arm its future Littoral Combat Vessels. Kongsberg’s NSM was and March 2021respectively. Furthermore, in
also recently named as the preferred surface-to-surface missile December 2021 the Philippine Navy has also
candidate to arm KRI Golok (688), the first low-observable fast awarded a contract HHI for two HDC 3100-
attack craft (FAC) of the Indonesian Navy. A live firing test is cur- class corvettes. With a length of 116 meters,
rently being planned which will likely take place in the next few 14.8 meters beam, and a displacement of
months. It was also been recently revealed that Kongsberg has col- around 3200 tons, these two ships are able
laborated with Thales Australia to pair a twin NSM launcher with a to reach a maximum speed of 25 knots, with
Bushmaster utility vehicle to become a land-based anti-ship missile a maximum range of around 4,500 nm under
system called “Strikemaster” for the Australian Army. The company a cruising speed of 15 knots. Both ships are
believes that the first production version of the Strikemaster could said to be armed with South Korea’s own SSM-
start to enter active service as soon as in the next 2-3 years. 700K C-Star anti-ship missiles and VL Mica air
defense missiles.

RMAF Global A400M Fleet Leader Navantia showcased its Landing Platform Dock
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has completed more than (LPD) offerings, displaying a scale model of its
10,000 flight hours with its A400M, completing more flight hours ATHLAS 13000 Landing Platform Dock (LPD).
and flight cycles than any other operator of the type. Airbus has The Spanish shipyard is offering the ship to
recognized the RMAF as the A400M global fleet leader, serving compete in the RMN Multi-Role Support Ship
as a valuable reference for all existing A400M customers and (MRSS) programme. Two ships of this class
the company. The RMAF is the A400M’s first export customer have already been in active service with the

28 | April 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT