Imagine not long after QZ8501 went down an airline advertisement reads:
“Our planes land at airports, not at sea.”
Or,
“Our planes may be older but they are safer.”
But the above never happened. Imagine if it was another airline that had gone down. Guess who would be quick to make fun of the situation?
It happened when Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing in the Southern Indian Ocean. The Air Asia in-flight magazine came up with an extremely distasteful article:
But of course, Air Asia is the fun airline. Everything is about having fun and making fun.
According to a statement carried by The Star, the airline said each applicant was briefed for her consent on the process before the checks were carried out.
“Grooming checks for visible marks are conducted privately by female supervisors in a professional manner and is part of the interview process,” it said.
“Herein candidates are briefed ahead and consent from each candidate is required prior to proceeding to ensure that no prominent marks will be visible while wearing the uniform,” it said.
How different are the uniforms?
Cabin crew uniforms: Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Malindo Air
Malindo Air cabin crew wear a finer white kebaya top. If you have ugly scars or tattoos, they would show up easier than if you are wearing the uniforms of Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia.
As expected, Air Asia was quick to take a CHEAP shot at Malindo Air’s unfortunate episode:
It may all seem funny to Air Asia and ridiculous to many, but how does Malindo Air’s policy on body marks fare compared to other airlines?
Ryanair’s cabin crew
RYANAIR
Perhaps like Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Air Asia, tattoos that can be covered by the uniform are acceptable. No visible tattoos are allowed.
Emirates’s cabin crew
EMIRATES
Emirates has a similar policy. Tattoos that are visible while wearing their uniform are not allowed. The tattoos cannot be covered by cosmetics or bandages.
Etihad Airways’s cabin crew
ETIHAD
Etihad Airways has the same policy as Emirates’s. You cannot have tattoos that are visible while wearing their uniform and no covering using cosmetics or bandages are allowed.
Qatar Airways’s cabin crew
QATAR
If you look at the uniform you would think that Qatar Airways has the same policy as the ones adopted by the airlines mentioned above.
WRONG!
Qatar Airways does not allow tattoos no matter where they are located – PERIOD. The airline did not hesitate to make redundant senior employees when the policy was introduced.
How do you think did the interviewers find out about where their tattoos are? By stuffing remote cameras inside the candidates’ clothes?
Generally, any airline policy would say that cabin crew cannot have visible distinctive marks, be they scars, birthmarks or tattoos.
Normally a candidate is required to declare if she has any of such mark on her body and where are they exactly positioned.
If the candidate refuses to declare such marks, it would eventually be found out during the physical or medical examination stage. If they find a mark that you have not declared, you will be asked to go home.
Even if you get employed and decide to have a tattoo, your airline medical examination will uncover this and your employment contract will be ceased immediately.
Singapore Airlines is strict on tattoos as well. Although more liberal than Malaysia is, visible tattoos, scars and marks are not allowed to be on any of its cabin crew.
This is firstly because of the branding of Singapore’s icon. Whoever had read the book “Branding Strategy: The Singapore Airlines Story” would know what I mean. Branding in Singapore Airlines lingo means uniformity – Asian hair (no blonde Asians), Asian features, similar makeup, nails and service attitude. You cannot even talk on your mobile phone while walking in the Singapore Girl uniform.
Secondly, the branding of Singapore Airlines, or of any airline for that matter, is about superficiality. Being in an airliner is like being in a five-star hotel. Everyone wants to be served by a pleasant and well-groomed waiter/waitress, or in this case, stewards and stewardesses.
So it is not as easy as Air Asia’s claim of zipping up and you can become a cabin crew no matter if you have pock marks or pus-filled acne on your face.
Malindo Air’s cabin crew, like the ones Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines have carry that image of elegance. You know you are not on board an Air Asia flight when on board any of the other three airlines mentioned.
In short, although it offers inexpensive fares, Malindo Air maintains its brand and class. It certainly does not feel like a no-frills airline.
If you look up the definition of no-frills you will see that it means, among others, providing only the basic necessary of service – in another word: CHEAP.
A few months back I criticised a Malay TV drama about how a rape victim marries the rapist and implying that it is alright and love between the victim and the rapist would eventually grow. That is the kind of TV programme that is being forced down the throat of the people nowadays.
No wonder I see dumb people walking everywhere, students barely out of their teens dumping babies.
Then I saw the following:
Shabudin Yahya, the Member of Parliament for Tasek Gelugor was objecting to an amendment to the Child Sexual Offences Bill which was being proposed by DAP’s Teo Nie Cheng who wanted the bill to also include the invalidity of child marriages.
The former Syariah Court judge said that girls between the ages of nine and twelve are physically and spiritually ready for marriage.
He explained further that it is not fair to assume that a rapist would continue being a bad person.
“Maybe he repents, or regrets. Marriage can be an exit clause for this problem. A wife who was raped , if she can marry the rapist she would not go through a bleak future. At least she has someone who can become her husband. This will be a remedy for social problems.”
Both my Facebook and Twitter timelines exploded with people in rage over the MP’s comment and invited a tweet from a liberal.
Then came this person trying to defend the indefensible:
For the benefit of all including the MP and his supporters, the government was being responsible by proposing a bill to protect minors from sexual predators. Many do not understand that although the consensual age for sex in Malaysia is 16 by birth date and above, those below 18 are legally minors! The MP’s statement is tantamount to inviting predators to have consensual sex with minors and then “repent” and marry their victim(s). One cannot get anymore disgusting than that.
If the rapist is irresponsible enough to rape a minor, how can he/she be a responsible husband/wife?
It does not matter if the MP was a Syariah Court judge. He should know that he was in Parliament and every word would be scrutinised. In times when people doubt the dual-legal system that has been around since the birth of Malaysia, comments from Shabudin certainly adds fuel to the fire of fear against Islam.
Fellow MP and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan expressed his disappointment in a statement posted on his social media accounts:
Rape is rape. There is no beauty that comes out of rape. Therefore, Shabudin should apologise in Parliament and in a press conference without making any attempt to defend his stupidity and beg for the Speaker of the House to strike his statement off the Hansard.
I cannot for my life believe that people are still capable of making stupid statements right under the public’s nose.
Condensation forms over the leading edges of an RMAF F/A-18D Hornet as it makes a high-speed maneuver
The 14th edition of the biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition ended last week leaving many in awe of the performances and displays in both the aerospace and maritime segments. Kudos to the EN Projects Sdn Bhd as the main organiser and also to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Transport as well as the supporting government agencies.
The 14th edition of LIMA saw an increase in the number of exhibitors compared to LIMA ’15. 555 exhibitors participated this time compared to 512 in 2015. While 39, 689 trade visitors visited LIMA ’15, 40,280 trade visitors were at LIMA ’17, surpassing the target of 40,000 trade visitors. 139,478 public visitors were at LIMA ’15. The target for this edition was 140,000 public visitors. Surprisingly, 236,689 public visitors visited this year’s LIMA – 104,557 visitors on the first open day, and 132,132 on the final day making a total of 276,969 visitors to LIMA ’17.
It must have been a boon to the Langkawi economy to have that increase in the number of visitors over five days and definitely helpful to the small traders especially in the Padang Matsirat, Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Kedawang, and Kuah areas.
A special commendation should be given to the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy for lending their support in driving the industries as well as foreign armed forces’ participation in all the activities during LIMA 17.
QUALITY OF EXHIBITORS
His Royal Highness The Sultan of Selangor visiting one of the exhibition booths
From my personal observation, since the 13th edition of LIMA there has been an inreasing number of unrelated government agencies and companies exhibiting at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre such as the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and a Private Limited printing company!
Unless there is a masterplan to annouce Langkawi as an aviation and maritime hub, I do not see the relevancy in having LADA at the aviation exhibition hall. MARA would be relevant if it provides assistances for students to study maritime or aeronautical-related studies or for local small and medium enterpreneurs to participate in the local maritime and aviation industry which is rather limited.
What did not happen was for local universities to showcase their research projects in order to secure fundings from local and foreign aviation and maritime giants. LIMA would be a perfect platform for local universities to showcase their research in both the industries.
Local shipbuilders, other than the local giants in the defence sector, were largely missing from the exhibition. Local shipbuilders are mainly into constructing oil and gas and transportation of cargo, crude and gas products should have showcased their capabilities at LIMA. This is where the Ministry of Transport could help in getting the participation of more civilian-transport applications providers to exhibit at LIMA.
Kudos should also be given to both the Minister of Defence as well as the Minister for Youth and Sports in driving the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) programmes for the youth at LIMA. LIMA should also be about providing avenues for the youth to participate in the aviation and maritime industries.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin and YB Khairy Jamaluddin at the Defence Dialogue and Press Conference TN50 during LIMA ’17
LESSONS FROM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
The Malaysian Oil and Gas industry has its biennial Asian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Engineering (OGA) Exhibition and is into its 16th edition this year. Unlike LIMA, OGA is fully industry-driven. The event is supported by the British-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Malaysian Gas Association, Malaysian Offshore Contractors Association, Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation, Offshore Support Vessels Owners Association and the Malaysia Oil and Gas Services Council.
LIMA is co-organised by EN Projects Sdn Bhd and the Ministry of Defence, supported by five ministries, the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Services Department, and the Royal Malaysian Customs. I am surprised that none of the industry councils and associations play the supporting role instead of just collaborating role.
We have so many defence and security contractors yet they all have to rely on the ministries and agencies above to put together an event for them to participate. Why does the government have to do the hard selling on their behalf? Isn’t it time, after 14 editions, for the industry players themselves to come together and become the co-organisers or event supporters?
Lined up at sea off Tanjung Malai were military vessels or vessels chartered by the military. I did not see a single vessel from the Malaysia Shipowners’ Association, or civilian and military boatbuilders showcasing their products at sea.
LIMA could be bigger than just a military/security party. Airlines did not send their aircraft this time around. At LIMA ’15 there was an Airbus A320-200 belonging to Air Asia. This was absent at LIMA ’17. Imagine a daily flypast of aircraft – perhaps an arrowhead formation with an Airbus A380 followed by an Airbus A330 and A320 flanked by Boeing 737-800s and Boeing 737-900s, followed by a smaller diamond four formation of ATR-72s.
The above will never happen unless industry players take the lead in supporting LIMA.
OPPORTUNITIES
For the Royal Malaysian Air Force, opportunities to replace the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29N comes in the form of the Dassault Rafale. LIMA ’17 saw Dassault Aviation pulling no punches when promoting the Rafale for Malaysia. LIMA ’17 was followed by a visit by French President Francoise Hollande who also put the sale of the Dassault Rafale to Malaysia on the agenda. Although Malaysia had said that it was not time to purchase the Rafale, it is important to note that the F/A-18D Hornets will be 30 years old in 10 years while the Sukhoi Su-30MKM will be in its 20th year of service in the RMAF.
The other interesting Euro-Canard contender is the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. The Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen participated in the aerobatic display in the first four days. Touted as a more affordable but equally potent as the Dassault Rafale, the Gripen’s cost would prove to be an attractive candidate to replace the MiG-29N.
At LIMA ’15, Saab had offered the Malaysian government a lease deal for 16 JAS-39C/D Gripens.
However, the tragedy involving a RTAF JAS-39 Gripen that killed its pilot earlier this year still plays in everyone’s mind. The Gripen was performing in Hatyai for the Thai Children’s Day. Footage of the accident shows the Gripen starting a slow aileron roll; once inverted, the aircraft fails to complete the maneuver, stops rolling and takes a nosedive crashing near the airfield’s runway.
There has been ten accidents involving the Gripen with nine hull losses and one fatality. At least two of the accidents have been attributed to Flight Control Software issues. The incident in Hatyai is still being investigated.
Of course there is also the option to upgrade the surviving 16 MiG-29Ns as a stop-gap mesure. At LIMA ’15, Malaysia’s Aerospace Technology Systems Corporation offered upgrades that would only be a fraction of the cost of purchasing new MRCAs.
The upgraded aircraft will be called the MiG-29NM and will include a Zhuk-ME FGM-229 slotted phased-array fire control radar that will provide an air-to-ground capability not available on the baseline aircraft, which are optimized for the air defense role.
The avionics system incorporates a night vision goggle-compatible glass cockpit, with two color multifunction displays and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) functionality.
Weapons systems and pylons will be upgraded, making the MiG-29NM capable of carrying the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons available to Malaysia’s Su-30s.
The Klimov RD-33 Series 3 engines of the MiG-29N will remain, but a conformal fuel tank added to the spine of the aircraft, together with an extra ventral tank, will increase operational range by 30 percent.
Malaysia, however, had declined this offer deemed expensive.
It would be interesting to note that other than the Indian Air Force, the Myanmar Air Force had also recently upgraded its MiG-29s at RAC MiG facilities near Moscow. This upgrade, said to be cheaper than what was initially offered to Malaysia, is now being offered to both Malaysia and Bangladesh which operates eight MiG-29B and is also seeking upgrades.
It would be interesting to see what the government’s decision on the MiG-29Ns would be.
Opportunities such as this is what local companies should get involved with. The aerospace industry that had taken off with the introduction of LIMA still remains status quo. Indonesia has gone on commercial production with its aircraft lines while we are stil struggling to even produce components that would be accepted internationally.
MOVING FORWARD
LIMA is here to stay. Other than the Singapore Air Show, this is one that is looked at in this region. While the Singapore Air Show is huge, LIMA is just of the right size for mission-specific companies to participate in. It is just unfortunate that the industry is not helping out to drive the show instead of relying on the government’s goodwill.
Hopefully EN Projects Sdn Bhd together with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Transport would flog the industry players to play a much bigger role in helping to drive LIMA into the exhibition every global industry player would look forward to.
Those who believed Lim Guan Eng’s lies back in March 2008 are among those who believed the promise that the Tokong would be able to solve the 40-year flood woes in just eight months.
A hundred and eight months later there seems to be no end in sight to the recurring floods in Penang.
In the latest episode, torrential rain that occurred just before sunset yesterday saw Jalan Kampung Relau, Bayan Baru, Farlim, Jalan Paya Terubong, Sungai Dua, Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan P Ramlee inundated by flood waters for the second time in one week.
Perhaps, this is the reason Tokong doesn’t need a swimming pool in his bungalow. Flood waters would give him an instant one. After all, how many times do you jump into a swimming pool in a year if you have one?
The Tokong is notorious for not fulfilling promises made.
Yesterday the Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof asked Tokong for an update of the studies that are being done to support Penang’s request for a third bridge.
Fadillah said that Tokong had submitted the request to the ministry in May last year and that three months later, the Penang Chief Minister acknowledged that the RM305 million studies for the project had not been completed.
Tokong then told the Ministry that the studies would be submitted either at the end of 2016 or early 2017.
“As it was the end of the first quarter and past the deadline stated by Lim, it is well within our right to ask for an update,” Fadillah said in a statement yesterday.
Tokong revealed that the feasibility studies for the undersea tunnel were now “stuck” at 87% completion because the state had not received the master plan for the 650ha reclamation around the Butterworth Outer Ring Road.
What surprised me is that although no approval has been given by Tokong’s government since the master plan has yet to be completed, reclamation works off Gurney Drive is already in full swing.
“This master reclamation plan has yet to be completed despite the project being awarded in 1999 and despite DAP running the state for nine years. We are aware that large-scale reclamation has started on the island and has progressed at a good pace since a year ago,” Fadillah explained.
Does this mean that the Tokong is accustomed to doing things without following procedures which have been there to curb abuses?
Perhaps this practice has become a norm now in Penang, which is why Emperor Lim Kit Siang is seeking to contest in Penang should his son’s imminent jail term commence.
Penang is a money pot and the dictatorship of both Tokong and the Emperor ensures that no dissenters are allowed.
I would be surprised if the corrupted Tokong and his dictatorial father will continue to have a hold on Penang.
Then again, there will always be the April’s Fools.
Of course, Pascal is as credible as Sarawak Report itself, which is even less credible than Bill Clinton’s claim that oral sex is not sex at all. With great sadness I would like to remind Pascal that his father’s life was far cheaper than the amount he had claimed.
Yes. It only cost RM20,000 to kill Hussain Ahmad Najadi.
For USD30 million, I would rather pay voters RM100 each and get 1.29 million votes. Or kill your father using 10 cruise missiles just to make sure he’s really dead and a further 9 to blow your ass to smithereens (a cruise missile costs approximately USD1.51 million).
Many would have thought that President Rodrigo “The Punisher” Duterte of the Philippines as a difficult man to come to a deal with.
When the President visited Malaysia last November, there were five Malaysians being held captive by bandits in the south of the Republic as a result of Kidnap-for-Ransom incidents.
Many criticised Najib Razak’s joining in Duterte’s karaoke diplomacy but as a seasoned diplomat and a leader Najib knew that it was Duterte’s way of asking him to loosen up before concluding business.
As a result, Duterte himself oversaw the rescue efforts and as a result the five Malaysians held as hostages were returned to their families.
Last night, as a result of another masterstroke conjured by both Najib Razak and another seasoned and internationally-respected diplomat Anifah Aman who worked behind the scene to secure the release of Malaysians held in Pyongyang since 7 March 2017.
The RMAF Global Express jet upon arrival
This morning a Royal Malaysian Air Force Global Express jet arrived in Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian embassy staff as well as their family members.
Anifah Aman was there waiting.
Anifah Aman with family members of the Malaysian embassy staff waiting at the airport
Speaking later to reporters Anifah said that the efforts to bring back the Malaysians showcases diplomacy at its best.
“There can be no substitute for diplomacy, for level-headedness in dealing with such situations, and this has served Malaysia well in this instance,” said the Foreign Minister.
He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for placing his trust in the Foreign Ministry to lead negotiations with North Korea.
There is no substitute for level-headedness and skillful diplomacy, and definitely no substitute for a great leadership and solid friendship that delivers each time.
Doris “Dorie” Miller was a Petty Officer (Sergeant equivalent) Ship’s Cook Third-Class on board the battleship USS West Virginia in the US Navy. That was about the only trade available for African-Americans when World War Two broke out.
It was a time when racial segregation and discrimination was strong in the US of A.
Yet, Dorie Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for helping move his mortally wounded Ship’s Captain Mervyn Sharp Bennion from further danger and saved countless other wounded crew.
Miller was never given any training to handle any weapon but took it upon himself to man a .50-caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine hun to shoot at Japanese airplanes.
Despite working in a system that discriminates him, he gave his all for his country as expected of him.
In Malaysia, civil servants have integrity problems. Five teachers have been slapped with a show-cause letter each for participating on an Opposition stage openly criticising the government-of-the-day.
Their action is in breach of Regulations 4(1) of the (Peraturan-Peraturan Pegawai Awam ( Kelakuan dan Tatatertib) 1993 – P.U.(A)395/1993.
When I was an Officer Cadet my instructors told me that as an Officer of His Majesty’s Service I must remain impartial at all times but may vote for those whom I think deserves to represent the people.
Civil servants must remain impartial as they represent the government. This ensures that integrity of the civil service and the trust of the people are not affected.
The Ministers who head each of the Ministry are elected into their positions, get a feel of what is happening on the ground before formulating policies to steer the machinery of the Ministry he or she is in-charge of in line with whole direction the nation is moving towards.
I turn it is for the civil servants to implement these policies on the ground and ensure the effectiveness of the policies, if not, provide feedback. They are not independent from the government-of-the-day they must serve and for that their impartiality is paramount.
Therefore, civil servants must refrain from openly expressing their political views what more stand on a political stage spewing hatred and anger towards the government they work for.
Even the Prime Minister lamented that the government is facing a huge challenge as it is easier for the people to stoke anger and hatred.
The tactics to incite and spread hatred and anger now ate the same as the ones used to create racial and religious disharmony and hatred towards the government in the months preceding the 13 May 1969 tragedy.
It is made worse now as disgruntled civil servants now join in the fray and speak against the government thinking that it is part of their democratic rights.
The need for teachers to preseve political impartiality was stressed even in Indonesia by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
He said that teachers need to instead maintain their professionalism and focus on providing education to students.
In Singapore, the need for civil servants to remain politically impartial is enshrined in its Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.
It says that the civil servants must conscientiously serve the government-of-the-day.
Political impartiality is also important to maintain public confidence in the civil service.
For this I agree with the Education Minister that although Malaysia is a democratic country and it is within the rights of the five teachers to support whomever they wish to, the teachers are still subjected to the regulations for civil servants.
“If they are teachers, appearing on the Opposition stage criticising the government, and there is slander and malicious intent then it is better for them to leave the teaching profession and contest in elections,” added the Minister.
Ask yourself what would you do if your domestic helper openly criticise you in front of your neighbours?
“It’s business- friendly and efficient,” said Alibaba’s Jack Ma at the launch of the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ).
The DFTZ is the world’s first Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) outside of China, which has the potential to double the growth rate of Malaysian small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) goods exports by 2025.
It is also estimated to be able to support US$65 billion worth of goods moving through DFTZ. Additionally, DFTZ is expected to create 60,000 jobs by 2025.
Of course and as usual nothing good in Malaysia for the rakyat is good for the Opposition that is now suffering from a dearth of issues to spin as they get debunked every time an issue is raised.
DAP’s Ong Kian Ming was quick to prove his stupidity by questioning the RM15 million spent for the launch of that event versus the potential billions in US Dollars to be made via the DFTZ.
If he is concerned about the well-being of financially-pinched Malaysians especially those who scrambled for holiday deals at the recent MATTA fair then why not question the need to ask taxpayers to pay more than the tax they have paid to pay the two jokers below just to eat with them?
RM10,000 per table? What kind of food is served at the dinner? Tiger meat?
Three RMAF Airbus A400M aircraft perform a fly pass at the LIMA ’17 exhibition
Defence expenditure is likely to rise as this region and beyond continue to face traditional and non-traditional threats. The role of the defence industry is also changing dramatically, as new and changing threats require further research and development, increasing the overall costs and pricing of defence products and services.
This was the gist of the message conveyed by Dato’ Sri Najib Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the opening ceremony of the Langkawi International Aerospace and Maritime 2017 (LIMA ’17) exhibition this morning.
“We need to equip our fighting men with the capabilities required to face modern warfare, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, and LIMA ’17 brings together major aerospace and maritime firms from around the world to demonstrate their state-of-the-art static and aerial displays and cutting-edge technologies,” he added.
One of the exhibitors, Leonardo Helicopter Division, a division of the Leonardo S.p.A that is headquartered in Italy, celebrated today the successful reaching of the impressive 100,000 flying hours milestone with the Weststar Aviation Services’s AW139 fleet.
Weststar Aviation Services is the largest South East Asian offshore helicopter services provider and largest helicopter operator of the AW139 in Asia.
Dato’ Sri Najib Razak visiting one of the booths at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Center in Langkawi after the opening of LIMA ’17
Leonardo has also brought the ATR-72MP aircraft which is being proposed for Malaysia’s requirement for an advanced new maritime patrolcapability. In the Electronics Warfare segment, Leonardo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hensoldt (the new name for Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security) to offer Mode-5 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) solutions to customers around the world. This collaboration between two European leaders in defence electronics technology shows how, by joining forces, the team can position itself as market leader for cutting-edge new requirements. The two companies, working together as “Team Skytale”, have already been selected as preferred bidder by the UK Ministry of Defence to upgrade IFF systems on more than 400 land, sea and air vehicles.
The ATR 72MP is a multirole Maritime Patrol, Electronic Surveillance and C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) aircraft with very affordable costs, developed and built by Leonardo’s Aircraft Division from the platform of the modern ATR 72-600 regional turboprop (pic courtesy of Leonardo Company)
The IFF technology allows operators to electronically identify friendly forces, distinguishing them from potential enemies. It does this by sending out an interrogation signal to unidentified platforms and verifying the automatic responses that are sent back, effectively a modern-day challenge and password system. Ensuring that ground, air and naval crews can reliably recognise their compatriots is one of the main ways of avoiding ‘friendly fire’ incidents. In 2020, all NATO nations are mandated to switch over to the new, more-secure ‘Mode-5’ version of the technology and other nations looking to operate alongside NATO forces will also need to be able to interact with the new standard. Mode-5 uses the latest cryptographic techniques to avoid the threat of deception by adversaries.
In another development, Thales has been selected by AirAsia to supply avionics systems on AirAsia’s new fleet of 304 A320neos. Thales will equip the 304 single-aisles with its market leading Flight Management System (FMS), the navigation solution of choice for Airbus aircraft, alongside the THALES/ACSS T3CASsurveillance platform, the preferred solution for all Airbus single aisle aircraft.
AirAsia’s Airbus A320neo (pic courtesy of Economy Traveller)
Thales has been partnering with AirAsia, leading LCC in Asia, since 2005, forging a close relationship in support of the airline’s growth strategy. AirAsia already equips their entire Airbus fleet with Thales systems and has selected the group for all maintenance and support operations for Thales systems equipped across their entire A320 fleet of 200 aircraft. In addition to the avionics suite, Thales will continue to provide a Repair-by-The-Hour (RBTH) long-term maintenance contract to support AirAsia’s fleet expansion. The agreement provides guaranteed turnaround times on repairs and offers a commitment of reliability with reduced operational risk.
Malaysia Minister of Defence, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, meets with representatives from five countries to discuss asymmetrical threats by Da’esh
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Minister of Defence, Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, met with representatives from five countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia and Qatar to present his view on how to combat the Da’esh threats. The establishment of the King Salman Center of International Peace was also on the agenda of this meeting.
The RoKAF Black Eagles performing the “Bomb Burst” formation over Langkawi
Making its debut in Langkawi is the Republic of Korea Air Force’s 53rd Air Demonstration Group. Commonly known as the “Black Eagles” the RoKAF team buzzed the skies of Langkawi in their KAI T-50B Golden Eagle supersonic advanced trainers. The T-50B is one of the few supersonic trainers currently available in the world.
The Russians is well-represented. The “Russian Knights (Russkiye Vityazi)” aerobatic team showcasing their Sukhoi Su-30SM aircraft for the first time outside Russia, while the Royal Malaysian Air Force performs aerobatics in its Sukhoi Su-30MKM.
The air aces of the two countries, whose performances constantly evoke admiration of the audience, highly praised the flight characteristics of their supermanouverable aircraft.
President of Irkut Corporation Oleg Demchenko marked the high skills of pilots and their ability to use the maximum extent of the fighter’s capabilities while First vice-president of UAC Alexander Tulyakov said: “Positive evaluation of aircraft given by pilots is very important for us – the developers and manufacturers”.
The meeting resulted with a joint photo shoot against the background of Su-30SM and Su-30MKM aircraft.
Sukhoi Su-30 pilots from the Russian Knights and the RMAF’s No.11 Squadron pose together
Russian’s Rostec State Corporation is working with the government of Malaysia to expand cooperation through the supply of civilian products and aviation.
“Over the last 20 years Malaysia has been a strategic partner of the Rostec State Corporation. We are actively involved in military and technical cooperation in a number of areas: aviation, the army and the military navy, and in recent years our cooperation has gained momentum. We are currently engaged in arms supply programs and are upgrading technology that was previously supplied to Malaysia.
We are also looking to extending our cooperation to civil areas that have growth potential: electronics, composite materials and IT. The civil aviation market, especially the helicopter sector, is also showing great potential for us,” said Head of the joint delegation from Rostec and Rosoboronexport at the 2017 LIMA exhibition Viktor Kladov, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy Department of the State Corporation.
“LIMA-2017 is the most important event for the aviation and military navy markets of Malaysia and the surrounding region and our participation in it is a long-standing tradition. LIMA-2017 is attracting representatives of various countries of this region and we are looking to conducting fruitful negotiations both with the Malaysian Government and delegations from other countries,” he pointed out.
In the afternoon, the Prime Minister Najib Razak officiated the Maritime Segment which also involved major exhibitors such as THALES, MAST, ACS and SAAB, showcasing the latest technologies in defence products and a demonstration by the elite forces of Malaysia’s security enforcement agencies.
This year’s opening gimmick had the elite forces searching for a box containing a key for the Prime Minister to activate the launch sequence. The key was located using technologically-advanced, unmanned equipment that assisted the forces, including from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and was handed over to the Chief of Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Haji Ahmad Badaruddin who then handed it to the Prime Minister.
Following the launch, a live action demonstration from the RMN Special Forces, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Marine Department of Malaysia with the setting being a hostage rescue mission at sea.
Demonstration by the Royal Malaysian Navy’s special forces, the Marine Operations Force of the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Department performs a demonstration
Later, Najib officiated the naming ceremony of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s latest Offshore Patrol Vessel, the “KM Pekan”. In attendance were Defence Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as well as Japan’s Deputy Minister of Land Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, Tanaka Ryosei.
The “KM Pekan” is one of two offshore patrol vessels donated by the Japanese government to the MMEA in 2016. Both vessels are 92 meters in length with speed of 20 knots and endurance of 30 days, suitable for enforcement missions in the South China Sea as well as in eastern Sabah. Both are equipped with a helideck and state-of-the-art radars.
According to the Director-General of the MMEA, Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Seri Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, a set of crew has been sent to Japan to bring home the second vessel.
The Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 will be more exciting than the previous editions because there is a marked increase in floor space as a result of the re-introduction of the Maritime Segment at the Resorts World, Langkawi.
There will be the array of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) that will be on display such as the United States Air Force MQ-1 Predator, United States Navy MQ-8 Fire Scout, Thales Fulmar Mini-UAV, SAAB AUV 62AT, and the TBN UAV from Ukraine.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will be debuting the newly-received offshore patrol vessel ‘KM Pekan’ donated by the Japanese government.
LIMA ’17 has confirmed 555 exhibitors from 36 countries and is expecting over 180,000 trade and public visitors from all over the world. LIMA ’17 will be held from 21 to 25 March 2017 in Langkawi. This year will mark the 14th edition in its 27 year history and is expected to be the best and biggest one to date.
Irkut Corporation of Russia will be featuring the Russian Air Force’s aerobatic team ‘Russian Knights’ in their spanking new Sukhoi Su-30SM. This would be the return of the Russian Knights’ to LIMA and their first tour outside the Russian Federation in the Su-30SMs.
Sukhoi Su-30SMs of the Russian Knights at the Langkawi International Airport
Irkut will also be featuring its scout/attack helicopter, the Kamov Ka-25 “Alligator.”
Irkut Corporation will be featuring aircraft models of the entire Irkut product line will be presented at the UAC stand: the Su-30SME fighter, the Yak-130 and Yak-152 training aircraft, and the new MC-21 commercial liner.
Irkut Corporation comes under the Russian pavillion which is under the charge of JSC Rosoboronexport, which is a part of the Rostec State Corporation. Rosoboronexport is in-charge of the united Russian stand at LIMA’17 showcasing over 500 products from 20 enterprises of the defence industry complex of the Russian Federation.
LIMA’ 17 also serves as the perfect platform to encourage further co-operation between Malaysia and regional & global allies in both the maritime and aerospace industries, specifically on asset acquisition as Armed Forces around the world are modernizing their asset bases. For example, the Chiefs of Navy Roundtable Talk at LIMA’17 this year will bring together 12 Chiefs of Navy and 24 representatives to discuss about “Naval Capability Based Acquisition Reform”. Subsequently, the LIMA’17 Air Chiefs Conference will also be taking a similar approach this year, and the attending Chiefs of Air Force and other senior air delegations will be tackling the “Air Force Capability Based Acquisition Reform”.
The Ministers of Defence and Transport viewing the preparations at the Maritime Segment before the Press Conference cum High Tea on board the Royal Malaysian Navy frigate KD Jebat
Another first for LIMA 17 will be the involvement of youths from across the country. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, together with the Ministry of Defence have invited over 500 young individuals from Briged Sukarelawan Khidmat Negara (BSKN), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Perlis, Parlimen Belia Malaysia, iM4U, Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM) and our Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES). They will be attending a Comprehensive Educational Tour throughout LIMA ’17 and attend engagement sessions with leaders in the defence sector. On the final day, a Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) Townhall Dialogue on defence to encourage the youth to play a larger role and capture their aspirations about the future of Malaysia’s security.
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM — A B-1B Lancer soars over the Pacific Ocean after air refueling training here Sept. 30. The B1B Bomber is deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the Pacific Commands continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional security and the U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific. The B1 is from the 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Other than the Russian Knights, the Black Eagles, the aerobatic team of the Republic of Korea Air Force will be making a first-time appearance this LIMA. The Black Eagles’ performance involves 9 KAI – T50B jet aircrafts. LIMA 2017 will also see the TNI-AU’s Jupiter as part of the aerobatic demonstrations on show. Our very own Royal Malaysian Air Force’s SU-30 MKM and F/A 18D jets, the Rafale from France, the Gripen 39C/D from Thailand and 2 Supersonic B-1 Bombers from the United States Air Force will also perform flypasts during the exhibition.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM will be performing solo aerial displays throughout the five-day exhibition in Langkawi
You must be logged in to post a comment.