RMN moves to strengthen country’s maritime security

LUMUT, March 9: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is set to consolidate all its naval units from 15 classes to five in an effort to strengthen the country’s maritime security.

Navy chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamaru­l­zaman Ahmad Badaruddin said this is part of the RMN’s transformation programme to stren­g­then its armada and also to be cost effective.

“The replacement process will be done in stages. We will focus on the abilities of the local industry and from 15 classes we will consolidate it to five classes.

“The five classes are New Generation Patrol Vessels (NGPV), Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), submarines, Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) and Multi Support Ships.

MMEA ups security with armed forces on vessels

Pic: The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has upped the ante in the battle against any future hijackings at sea by placing armed personnel on vessels. 

Its director-general, Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, said the placement of armed officers on vessels is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether the ships could be a “possible target” for hijackers.

Malaysian Navy needs more ships to improve security

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) will require additional assets, especially ships, in order to step up security in local waters.

At the moment, six more multi-role naval vessels are needed, said Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

MAST welcomes Malaysia move on regional ship security

Maritime security company MAST has welcomed the Malaysian initiative to consider regional cooperation and armed guards on board ships as a step in the right direction but warns that the burden of responsibility will still be with shipping companies to protect their assets and crews.

"Sea Row Overtakes All National Security Concerns"

MANILA, Philippines, May 8 -- With threats from communist and Muslim rebels significantly reduced, preserving the Philippines’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea is now the country’s biggest security concern, the government’s top security adviser told a Senate panel yesterday.

National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia made the observation during a hearing by the Senate committee on national defense and security on China’s island building activities in the West Philippine Sea.

US Ambassador Helps Open National Coast Watch Center to Enhance Philippine Maritime Domain Awareness

April 30 -- US Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip S. Goldberg, cut the ribbon inaugurating the National Coast Watch Center in an action that underscores the US commitment to helping the Philippines manage and secure its maritime domain.

The US has provided $20 million (880 million Philippine Pesos) to date for the center that provides critical information fusion and 24 hour operations to support enhanced awareness of the Philippines’ maritime domain. Future incremental improvements are planned to fully realize the potential of the center.

Saab Indonesia's Scholarship Has Taken Off

April 27 -- Ten naval officers from the Indonesian Navy were in Sweden this month for a Saab training scholarship program. The officers were undergoing training in Swedish innovation systems and developing capabilities for maritime security in littoral environments. The program is an outcome of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Indonesian Navy signed in February 2015 at the Surabaya Naval base.