MAF team departs for Philippines on March 6 to monitor ceasefire with MILF

IMT plays an important role in monitoring ceasefire between the Philippine Government and the MILF. Source: Rappler

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian International Monitoring Team - Mindanao 11 (IMT–M11) will depart for Mindanao in the Philippines on March 6 and 13 to continue monitoring and overseeing the ceasefire between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Jen Tan Sri Roslan Saad told a press conference on March 4 that the team, comprising of 16 personnel will be in Mindanao for 12 months.

"The sending of IMT-M11 is a continuation of the IMT-M10 which has been serving there for 12 months since March 14, 2015.

Cambridge Pixel Supplies Radar Simulator Software to OSI Maritime for Malaysian Navy Contract

Cambridge Pixel, an award-winning developer of radar display, tracking and simulation subsystems, has supplied radar simulator software to OSI Maritime Systems (OSI), a world-leading provider of integrated navigation and tactical solutions for the naval market.

OSI is supplying an Integrated Bridge System to the Royal Malaysian Navy for use in the soon-to-be commissioned Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The fully-functioning radar simulator supports OSI's need to perform integration activities in advance of installation and commissioning on the vessel, and includes comprehensive software emulation of the radar control interface.

Malaysian Aviation body takes flight

Source: Qantas

PETALING JAYA: A new agency that will manage the economic side of Malaysia’s aviation industry has taken off.

The Malaysian Aviation Commis­sion (MAC) will have its eye on commercial flights here and, among others, manage airline licences, traffic rights and routes.

Speaking to The Star, its executive chairman Jen (Rtd) Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad expressed surprise over his appointment.

“It’s a real surprise to me that the Government still considered me to lead this very important course in the aviation industry,” he said.

Formerly in the Royal Malaysian Air Force , Abdullah said he retired from service about 10 years ago.

RAKAM Is Best Communication Network For Maritime Community And Enforcement Agencies

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 29 (Bernama) -- The Maritime Community Friendly Interaction Programme (RAKAM) is the best communication and discussion network between the maritime community and enforcement agencies.

Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Region 2 commander, Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar Yahya said via RAKAM, enforcement agencies including the RMN, marine police, Fisheries Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the maritime community could conduct discussions to solve problems in the community.

Malaysian Army To Get Used Blackhawks From Brunei

Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk. Source: BorneoBulletin

KUALA LUMPUR: The army is expected to receive four used Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk helicopters from Brunei this year, said army chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Raja Mohamed Affandi said those helicopters will strengthen the security in Sabah.

On top of that, he added that the army is also expecting the delivery of 56 units of locally-assembled Armour Vehicles 8x8 (AV8) in stages this year, which will be sent to Sabah.

"So far, we have 27 units of AV8 in Tawau, Sabah. We believe all of these assets including Black Hawks will provide full protection for people in the east of Sabah," said Raja Mohamed Affandi, during a media conference in conjunction with the 83rd Malaysian Armed Forces Day at Wisma Perwira Tentera Darat, Kem Perdana Sungai Besi. (New Straits Times)

Cambodia Requests 2 Warships From China

PLAN Type 054A Frigate (Source: Xinhuanet)

PHNOM PENH, Feb 25—Cambodian defense officials have requested two warships from China, saying they are needed to help Cambodia defend its maritime territory.

Cambodian Navy Admiral Tea Vinh asked for the two modern military vessels during a meeting with Chinese Rear Admiral Yu Manjian. Their talks in Phnom Penh followed joint maritime rescue drills conducted by the countries' naval forces, which ended Wednesday.

During the exercise, three Chinese ships - two frigates armed with guided missiles and a supply ship - were docked on display at the port of Sihanoukville.

Australia unveils ‘massive’ increase in defence spending

Operation FIJI ASSIST 2016. Source: Australian DOD

SYDNEY: Australia unveiled a massive new investment in the nation’s defence capabilities on Thursday to address what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called “high stakes” and “momentous times” in Asia.

Citing increased defence spending around the region and potential flashpoints in the South China Sea and the Korean peninsula, he said the government was committed to combating the most challenging strategic environment “we have faced in peacetime”.

“These are momentous times. The stakes are high. And as the opportunities expand, so does the cost of losing them,” Turnbull said in launching a new Defence White Paper in Canberra.

The Edesix VideoBadge - Body Worn Cameras for Security Professionals

The VideoBadge series from Edesix consists of easy-to-use, robust and secure body worn cameras (BWC), capable of efficiently recording evidence-ready HD video and audio footage. Together with Edesix’s custom developed VideoManager software, these BWCs offer frontline workers the capability to deter aggression, capture evidential footage and store & share data from a multitude of locations.

Edesix’s VideoBadge Series consists of the VideoBadge VB-100, VB-200 and VB-300, these unique BWCs, often styled as an ID holder, were designed to meet the daily needs of the frontline worker. Each badge is fully encrypted, has day and night recording capability along with a comprehensive audit trail, ensuring evidential footage is protected from camera to court.

Malaysia's DPM: Militants can't come home

KUCHING - Over 130 Malaysians who are now in Syria and Iraq fighting for the Islamic State (IS) will not be allowed to return home, said Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said police were working with Interpol to ensure that these militants do not come back to Malaysia.

"The decision to bar them from returning home is to safeguard the country's peace and stability," said Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister.

BHIC gets three-year extension to service Navy’s helicopters

RMN Fennec. Source: Airbus Helicopters 

KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd’s (BHIC) subsidiary BHIC AeroServices Sdn Bhd has received a three-year extension worth an additional RM30.8mil on its in-service support (ISS) contract for six Royal Malaysian Navy’s Fennec AS555SN helicopters.

BHIC told Bursa Malaysia that BHIC AeroServices previously had a three-year contract totaling RM32.4mil, expiring last month, and the consideration under the letter of agreement (LOA) and extended LOA had been revised to RM63.2mil.

The ISS contract extension is effective from Feb 7, 2016.

BHIC AeroServices is a joint venture between BHIC’s unit BHIC Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (51%), Prestige Pillar Sdn Bhd (30%) and Airbus Helicopters Malaysia Sdn Bhd (19%).

BHIC shares were last traded on Monday at RM1.80.