Strategy Document for RMN 15to5 Transformation Programme

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STRATEGY
DOCUMENT FOR

#15TO5MALARYNOSAYIAVANYL

TRANSFORMATION
PROGRAMME

First Published Nov 2018
Royal Malaysian Navy

ISBN 978-983-99615-5-3

© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Some images used are provided by a third party ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied, included but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a
particular purpose, or non-infringement. All reasonable attempts to attribute the sources of

the images have been made by the Royal Malaysian Navy.

RMN Reference : BRL2-2 Strategy Document for RMN #15TO5 Transformation Programme

Published by Printed by
ROYAL MALAYSIAN NAVY NURFA RESOURCES
SEA POWER CENTRE
2-3-8, 3rd Floor
Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra
Jalan 34/26 Taman Sri Rampai
54100 KUALA LUMPUR
53300 KUALA LUMPUR

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MALAYSIAN WATERS

569,845INCLUDE AN EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC ZONE: SQUARE KM
329,758TOTAL
LAND AREA:
SQUARE KM
65,035TERRITORIAL
WATER:
SQUARE KM
6,037TOTAL
COASTLINE:
KM
THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

600SEPARATES SABAH & SARAWAK
FROM THE PENINSULAR: KM

EDITORIAL AUTHOR , ORIGINAL IDEA & CONCEPT CO-AUTHOR/CHIEF EDITOR
Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman First Admiral Baharudin bin
bin Haji Ahmad Badaruddin Wan Md Nor

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#15TO5MALARYNOSAYIAVANYL

TRANSFORMATION
PROGRAMME

4 VISION & MISSION
7 CHIEF OF NAVY FOREWORD
8 RMN #15TO5

TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME

10 MALAYSIA’S MARITIME IDENTITY
16 BLUE ECONOMY
18 ROLES OF THE RMN
20 MILITARY
24 CONSTABULORY
28 DIPLOMATIC

CONTENTS 34 DISPOSITION OF RMN
BASES
MARITIME SECURITY CHALLENGES 
AND FUTURE FORCE LEVEL

36 DEVELOPMENT
44 WHY WE NEED TO TRANSFORM
51 VISION FOR THE FUTURE
58 GAPS & FUNCTIONAL SOLUTION ANALYSIS
60 RMN’S 10-STEP APPROACH TO
TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY EXECUTION

64 SCOPE OF TRANSFORMATION
76 FLEET #15TO5
TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME

78 RMN #15TO5
TRANSFORMATION GOALS

80 RMN #15TO5 TRANSFORMATION MAP
HORIZON 1

82 TRANSFORMATION
INITIATIVE DESCRIPTION

100 RMN #15TO5 AS A BRAND

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VISION
To be a
Credible & Versatile
Force by 2030

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MISSION

To Protect
Malaysia’s Sovereignty

& Maritime Interests

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And prepare against them whatever you are
able of power and of steeds of war by which
you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your
enemy and others besides them whom you do

not know(but) whom Allah knows.

- Surah Al Anfaal:60 –

...indeed, Allah will not change the condition
of a people until they change what is in
themselves...

- Surah Al Ra’d:11 -

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FOREWORD BY CHIEF OF NAVY

Assalamualaikum
Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Praise be to the Almighty for granting us the strength and wisdom to work for
a better future. Our leaders, past and present recognise the fact that Malaysia
by all accounts is a maritime nation. Our economy, security, identity and to a
large extent our way of life are dependent upon and shaped by the sea. The sea
connects us as a people, has brought us untold prosperity as well as attracted
foreign influences. Our people were once renowned seafarers. In the distant
past, well before Columbus started his journey, our ships had already reached
the shores of China and the Arabian Peninsula. That was made possible largely
because navies of the Malacca Empire and various kingdoms before that were
bold and competent seafarers.Those were the notable achievements of the past.
However, today we live in a ‘blue century’ with a very different set of challenges.

Past glories and achievements have never granted any nation the right to rest
on its laurels. Ours should instead be accepted as lessons that guide us in our
future endeavours. Today, the Royal Malaysian Navy contributes to the devel-
opment and security of the new Malaysia and remains as an important national
instrument of power. This stems not just from our unique ability to operate on, under, above and from the
sea but also from retaining our relevance and ability to steadfastly advance Malaysia’s national interests
in peace, crisis and in war.

When I first stood at the helm of this great ship 3 years ago, I inherited a very stable vessel that for many
years now has been steering ahead in the direction of modernization and capability enhancement. We
began with small, pioneering groups of gallant men and today we have grown into a modern navy; a force
well respected. This evolution is due in no small part to my predecessor’s effort. But the recent rapid pace
of technological change has increased not only the geo-strategic dynamics, but just as importantly, the
financial challenges and higher expectations are a game changer. They require a change of course, else
we risk running aground and becoming stuck in a sea of irrelevancy.

It is for that very reason the navy came up with the RMN #15to5 Transformation Programme. It is a
measure designed to ensure the navy will be able to deliver better results, while adapting to the needs
of future environment. This blueprint will serve as a principle document to guide our journey through the
next thirty years in transforming the navy. It sets forth our vision for the future, what it is we intend to
achieve and why such measures are important. It describes better ways of developing and managing our
people, of changing the way we conduct our enterprise to increase our efficiency, and of how we plan to
implement our future force structure.

While the programme calls for bold actions, it has employed data to manage risks. The results are pru-
dent choices that align our resources to the country’s strategic interests. I am sure this programme will
enable us to safely sail into the future while exploring new opportunities along the way. Now, we must
ensure the successful execution of the plan. We owe our future generations of #NavyPeople that much
and the nation expect nothing less.

ADMIRAL TAN SRI AHMAD KAMARULZAMAN BIN HJ AHMAD BADARUDDIN
CHIEF OF NAVY

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RMN #15TO5
TRANSFORMATION
PROGRAMME

Together, our Armada and our people have been the bedrock
of selfless service to the country. For eighty four years they
have provided Malaysia with a safe and secure maritime
environment upon which our security and economic prosperity
has depended on and grown from. However, new challenges
abound. They demand that we change how we manage our
most precious resource - our people, the way we run our Navy
and how we design the composition of our future fleet.

Todays frontline assets such as RMN SCORPENE class submarine and RMAF F/A-18D
fighter jets form the mainstay of our conventional warfare capabilities

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The future of RMN rest on the shoulder of these young recruits.

The Royal Malaysian Navy #15to5 Transformation Programme provides us with a
renewed impetus and an opportunity to shape the future of the navy. It is the first
time that such a holistic and all-encompassing plan has been formulated. The aim
is to move us forward as an organization toward our vision for the future. This
thirty year programme addresses a multitude of challenges: from long standing
difficulties to ensuring we are able to meet the increasing operational demands
placed on us; to the complex task of reinventing the way we develop our human
capital to creating a new culture that fosters efficiency, adherence to our navy’s
core values and military ethos.

Towards this end, the Chief of Navy, who is the chief architect of the transformation
programme, has directed the Naval Transformation Office to embark on the largest,
most inclusive consultation and engagement exercise ever undertaken in the history
of the Navy to chart its new strategic direction. 51 engagement sessions were
conducted within and outside of the naval premises. These sessions have enabled
the naval leadership to craft new goals with associated strategies that support the
transformation process. These strategies are in turn supported by 15 initiatives with
over 100 projects revolving around three main thrusters - People, Processes and
Platforms.

The RMN #15to5 Transformation Programme is an anticipative action designed to
ensure the navy will be able to deliver better results at optimal cost while adapting
to future challenges and needs. The programme has its roots in the Malaysian
Armed Forces long term development plan and fully supports the aspirations of
the National Defence Policy. It is a comprehensive and robust plan for the gradual
and sustainable transformation of the navy. The first phase will carry us through to
2030. In essence this strategy document sets out the “what”, “why” and the “how”
of the fundamental changes that are required. Although the targets set appear to be
daunting and ambitious, they are entirely achievable.

The successful conclusion of this plan hinges upon our steadfast belief in our ability
to do better; a laser sharp focus on set goals, a strong leadership involvement, and
overall changes in our collective mindset. To meet this challenging future, we are
blessed that we can depend on countless young #NavyPeople who choose to serve
their country with pride and enthusiasm. They will not just be the beneficiaries, but
will also be on watch to navigate our Navy towards a better future.

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BACKGROUND

MALAYSIA’S
MARITIME
IDENTITY

Malaysia is truly a maritime nation. Malaysian waters comprise
an Exclusive Economic Zone covering and area of 569,845
square km extending beyond 65,035 square km of Territorial
Waters. Its total coastline extends over 6,037 km and the
sea area is more than twice the size of our landmass. In the
past, Malays were known to be great seafarers. At its peak,
the Malacca Sultanate was an empire that covered much of
maritime Southeast Asia, with Malacca itself being the most
important regional port of the 15th century. With the formation
of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, Malaysia grew to
include Sabah and Sarawak, the two states located along the
northern shore of the island of Borneo. The South China Sea
separates the two states from the peninsular at approximately
600 km at its closest point. The notion of a “Maritime Nation”
was further enhanced when
the government declared their
objective of attaining a maritime
nation status for Malaysia in the
4th Malaysia Plan (1982-1986).

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is situated
adjacent to one of the world’s busiest shipping

lane - The Malacca strait.

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The Malacca Straits serves as one of the global shipping superhighways

Malaysia, with its unique geography has several maritime neighbours. Maritime
boundaries between Malaysia and its two close neighbours, Indonesia and Thailand
have been successfully delineated through bilateral agreements. Two bilateral
agreements between Malaysia and Indonesia covering the boundaries of the
territorial seas and the continental shelf in the Straits of Malacca were signed in
October 1969. Another agreement signed between the same two countries in early
1970 defined a 174-nautical mile long line separating the territorial seas of both
nations. In the past, decisions by the International Court of Justice regarding the
dispute over the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, located off the Sabah coast, helped
settle a potentially explosive situation that would have added to the complexity of
regional security environment. Nevertheless, recent unilateral declaration of new
maritime boundaries through Peta Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia which
encroached into what was previously Malaysia’s maritime territory is likely to be a
new thorn in bilateral relationship.

Malaysia and Indonesia are two coastal states that straddle the Malacca Straits.
Over 95,000 vessels transit the straits annually carrying a quarter of world’s trade,
thus making it the busiest straits and one of the most important trade routes in the
world. To the east, Malaysia borders the Sulu and Celebes Seas, providing another
important maritime trade route but one that is vulnerable to piracy, sea robbery,
kidnap-for-ransom and acts of terror. In the South China Sea, Malaysia is a party
to a six nation overlapping claim over an area known as the Spratly Islands. The
area is not only coveted for its strategic location but also its rich natural resources.
Since 1974, over 30 military clashes and standoffs have occurred in the Spratlys.
Exacerbating the situation is the return of great power competition in the South
China Sea which has been prompted by attempts to change status quo. All these
issues complicate the security environment as they threaten to escalate disputes
and regional stability with each having the potential to directly affect Malaysia’s
maritime security and national interest.

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Despite its many challenges, maritime sector remains a very important component
of the Malaysian economy. The expansion and globalisation of world economy has
contributed to the increased significance of our ports and shipping industry. In 2017,
Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas handled 12,060,000 and 8,330,000
Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), positioning them as the 12th and 19th busiest
container ports in the world. Both continue to record growth in their capacity. The
fisheries industry is another important contributor to the Malaysian economy and is
a source of income for 134,000 fishermen. In 2016, the fisheries sector produced
1.74 million tons of fish valued at RM10.18 billion and generated additional trade
worth RM6 billion. Aquaculture production too is gaining prominence and today
it is a source of employment for over 30,000 fish farmers and culturists. With the
present government’s emphasis on enhancing agricultural productivity, including
that of the fishing and aquaculture industry, these numbers are set to increase.
All of Malaysia’s oil field are located offshore and protecting them require persistent
presence in the maritime domain

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PETRONAS CONTRIBUTION

Components of Contribution to the Federal and State Governments of Malaysia

In RM Billion

FY2017 16.0 17.4 8.7 0.6 42.7
FY2016
FY2015 16.0 13.4 7.1 0.4 36.9
FY2014
FY2013 26.0 15.9 10.2 0.6 52.7

29.0 32.5 12.6 1.2 75.3
33.3
27.0 12.0 1.1 73.4

Dividends Taxes Cash Payments Export Duty

PETRONAS contribution to the Federal and State Governments of Malaysia for the year ended 31 December 2017
amounted to RM42.7 bilion, higher by RM5.8 bilion compared to 2016, consistent with the improved performance.

Malaysian oil and gas industry is predominantly maritime in nature. All of our oil
and gas fields are located offshore. In 2016, Malaysia’s petroleum production
totaled three quarters of a million barrels per day. As of January 2017, our proven
oil reserves stood at 3.6 billion barrels – the 4th highest proven reserves in the Asia
Pacific region. In 2016, Malaysia exported 1.2 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG), accounting for 10% of LNG exports worldwide. We are the
third largest exporter of LNG after Qatar and Australia. Malaysia’s LNG is valued
at RM47 billion and is worth 6% of the country’s total export. Our natural gas
resources are estimated to be 100 Tcf. Together, oil and gas account for almost
20% of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product. A local shipping company - Malaysian
International Shipping Corporation Berhad is the world’s largest LNG carrier.

DOLLAR PER BARREL 110.00 110.00
100.00 100.00
2015 2016 2017 2018 90.00
90.00 80.00
80.00
70.00 74.34
60.00
50.00 70.00
40.00 60.00
30.00 50.00
20.00 40.00
10.00 30.00
20.00
2014 10.00

5/10//2018

Crude Oil WTI (NYMEX) Price

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Ship building and repair at Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd.
Maritime tourism and recreation is another sector that contributes to the overall
Malaysian economy. Malaysia’s maritime assets, which include its pristine coastline
and islands, are a major tourist attraction. Traditionally, marine tourism in the
country involves a short trip to the beach for recreation and relaxation. This trend
however is presently shifting towards developing offshore islands into major tourist
destinations, where resorts serve a wider range of marine-related recreational
activities such as open sea diving, yachting and sport fishing. Arguably, Malaysia
owns some of the finest island resorts in the world. Marine based activities and
ecotourism constitute yet another important segment of tourism that has a great
potential for expansion.

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Pulau Layang-Layang situated in the Spratly is one of the Malaysia’s major tourist attraction.
These economic activities are indicative of the growing interest and importance of
the maritime sector to the national economy. They also demonstrate the potential
of a maritime sector that needs to be further developed as a natural component
of a true maritime nation. The idea and concept of a maritime nation as applied to
Malaysia can only be realised if there is a significant contribution from the maritime
sector to the economy. For the sector to flourish there must be a secure and
stable security environment. In today’s volatile and unpredictable world, such an
environment should not be seen merely as an enabler but rather a prerequisite - an
imperative for the successful development of the Malaysia’s maritime industry.
Since the golden age of Malacca Sultanate, a navy has been a major constituent
of sea power in and around the Malay Archipelago. Today, that role is assumed
by the RMN. While its primary role has evolved from protection and expansion of
a Sultanate’s imperial territories to the protection of Malaysia’s sovereignty and
national interest, the Navy continues to be an essential part of Malaysia’s maritime
character. Other than its primary role which is irreplaceable in time of crisis and
war, today in time of peace the navy also makes a significant contribution to the
maintenance of good order, security and safety at sea as well as in the littoral
environment.

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BLUE ECONOMY
The Blue Economy is the sustainable use of oceanic resources for economic growth,
improved livelihoods and jobs, and the health of the oceans’ ecosystems.

The Blue Economy encompasses many activities...

RENEWABLE ENERGY MARITIME TRANSPORT +80%

Sustainable marine energy can play a Over 80% of international YEAR 2030

vital role in social and economic goods traded are transported

development. by sea and the volume of

seaborne trade is expected to

TOURISM double by 2030.

Ocean and coastal tourism can bring jobs and

economic growth to coastal areas, least

developed countries and small islands.

CLIMATE CHANGE
The impacts of climate change on rising sea
levels, coastal erosion, changing ocean
current patterns and acidification are
staggering. Oceans are an important carbon
sink and help mitigate climate change.

US270BIL WASTE MANAGEMENT 80%
GLOBAL 80% of liter in the ocean is
GDP from land-based sources. LAND-BASED
Better waste management on LITTER
FISHERIES land can help oceans recover.
Marine fisheries contribute
more than US$270 billion
annually to global GDP. More
sustainable fisheries can
generate more revenues over
long term.

BLUE ECONOMY Benefits of Blue Economy :
RMN #15to5 Transformation • Providing a boost to coastal and national economies.
Programme will provide • Generating new employment, skill-sets and capacities.
Malaysia with effective • Promoting entrepreneurship in new areas of economic activity.
maritime security which is a • Facilitating the interconnectedness of the regional economy.
necessary component to • Utilising the vast, untapped potential of the Ocean.
enable the country to partake • Contributing to sustainable development and climate change
in the Blue Economy
confidently, within a safe and mitigation.
secure environment.

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MALAYSIA’S MARITIME IDENTITY
AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS

1,400,000 Protecting Sabah Tourism

Tonnes Metric 50,000,000 3.43 million

RM8 billion Tonnes mineral reserve tourists

Yearly RM241 billion RM7.25 billion

RM6 billion Oil & Gas Production tourism receipt (2016)

lost of revenue to IUU 20% GNI 6,610

hectares Aquaculture Project

Malacca Gugusan Semarang
Straits and Peninjau
World’s busiest straits.
crucial sea-lines
of communication

RM42 billion

worth assets
protected by RMN

>95,000 ships p.a.

24%carrying of world trade

Port Klang (12th) The Spratly
Port of Tanjung Pelepas (19th)
Home to rich
Busiest container port in the world natural resources

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ROLES OF
THE RMN

Naval force possesses considerable utility in a wide range
of situations that spans a spectrum of conflict and other
peaceful maritime-based activities. The role of naval force
in this context falls into one of three categories: military
(combat-related), constabulary (law enforcement-related)
and diplomatic (foreign-policy related).

Role of naval force encompass military, constabulary and diplomacy

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SPAN OF MARITIME OPERATIONS

Naval Assistance toBENIGN ENFORCEMNETSearch and Rescue
Civil Community MAINTENANCE CONSTABULARY Environmental and Resource
Management and Protection
Capacity Building Naval Assistance to Civil Law
Assistance to Allied and Enforcement Authorities

Friendly Nations Maritime Barrier Operations
Presence
Counter-piracy
Evacuation Operations
Peace Operations
Preventive Diplomacy
Sanctions and
Coercion Embargoes
COERCIVE
DIPLOMATIC Degree of Force
Employed

MILITARY

COMBAT OPERATIONS AT SEA COMBAT OPERATIONS FROM THE SEA

• Intelligence Collection and Surveillance • Maritime Mobility (Sea Lift)
• Cover • Land Strike
• Maritime Strike and Interdiction • Support to Operations
• Containment
• Blockade on Land and in the Air
• Barrier Operations and Defended Areas • Amphibious Operation
• Layered Defence
• Advance Force Operations
• Protection of Merchant Shipping

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MILITARY

The essence of all navies is their military character. The Navy exists to protect the
wealth, prosperity and peace of the nation’s maritime domain. This is accomplished
by attaining control (or targeted denial) over the sea, frustrating any seaborne
projection of force by an adversary and when necessary being able to project
power into maritime related areas controlled by an enemy. The Navy’s military role
is characterized by the threat or use of force at and from the sea. This includes the
application of maritime power in both offensive operations against enemy forces,
their territory and trade, and defensive operations to protect one’s own forces,
territory and trade. The military role is performed through the accomplishment of
specific military objectives, missions and tasks.

MILITARY ROLES

OBJECTIVES MISSIONS TASKS
Surveillance
Deterrence Limited Sea Control Maritime Strike
Amphibious Operations
Interventions Sea Denial Anti-Submarine Operations
Anti-Surface Operations
Decisive victory Expeditionary Operation Defensive Anti-Air
Operations
Secure Territorial Integrity Blockade
Minewarfare
Influence events ashore *SLOC Protection Operations

Safeguard national assets SLOC Interdiction Electronic warfare
from maritime based
security threats Harbour Defence

Safeguard own citizens from Maritime Domain ***VBSS
maritime based security Awareness Intelligence Gathering
threats

Safeguard own merchant Destruction of an
and commerce from aggressor’s naval forces

maritime based security
threats

Safeguard other national Compulsion
interests from maritime
based security threats

Special Operation

Own force’s protection

Seaward defence

**NCAGS

*Sea Lines of Communications
**Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping
***Visit, Board, Search and Seizure

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RMN AUTHORITIES AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

Among the fundamental responsibilities of a State is the requirement to protect its sovereignty
and territorial integrity as well as to ensure the security of its citizens. The Federal Constitution
in Article 41 states that, “The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the monarch) shall be the Supreme
Commander of the Armed Forces of the Federation”. As supreme Commander, the Yang di-
Pertuan Agong has the authority to direct the Malaysian Armed Forces in the employment of
military force or to execute the law as constitutionally authorized. In performing its roles and
responsibilities, the MAF, and by extension the RMN, adhere to a set of legal authorities and
obligations. Some of these authorities and obligations are stated under the following laws and
conventions:

a. National Security Council Act 2016.
b. Exclusive Economic Act 1984.
c. Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959.
d. Fisheries Act 1985.
e. Environmental Quality Act 1974.
f. Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
g. Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.
h. Immigration Act 1959/1963. i. Customs Act 1967.
j. Penal Code.
k. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
l. Law of Armed Conflict.
m. International Humanitarian Law.

COMBAT OPERATIONS AT SEA

This operation emphasizes the offensive, bringing to bear information, intelligence,
and tactical initiative against an adversary. This will require a complete and seamless
integration in Command and Control infrastructure within a joint forces environment.
War at sea involves fully integrated offensive and defensive tactics that span the
subsurface, surface, air, space, and electromagnetic environments. The aim is to
acquire freedom of use over the sea’s three dimensions - the surface, subsurface
and air space above the sea while at the same time preventing the enemy from doing
the same. This concept of establishing supremacy over a specific maritime area over
a definite period of time is known as Sea Control. In situations where Sea Control is
unrealistic such as the case when friendly forces are confronted by a superior force, the
aim will be modified into one of Sea Denial. Sea Denial in turn, can be achieved through
Sortie Control, Choke Point Control, Open Area Operations or Local Engagement.

COMBAT OPERATIONS FROM THE SEA

Combat operations from the sea is the extension of naval influence through power
and force projection over the shore. An amphibious assault capability is an integral
component of an effective naval force. Naval forces must not only secure Sea Lines of
Communication (SLOC) to bring troops and equipment to the area of concern, but also
provide a mobile base from which to conduct military operations. Such a capability,
while rarely put into practice in real situations where open hostilities are declared, is a
common feature in joint operations and United Nations mandated missions.

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Malaysian Armed Forces conducting joint exercises
JOINT MARITIME OPERATIONS AND THE MARITIME DOMAIN
While Combat Operations at Sea involve the application of a decisive offensive
force to achieve control of the sea area, Combat Operations from the Sea concerns
the extension of maritime influence through power projection over the shore. In
Malaysia’s context, both of these operations when conducted in the maritime
domain, share common features – they require support from and coordination
with our sister services (Malaysian Army or Royal Malaysian Airforce), relevant
government agencies and in some situations non-governmental organizations.
The maritime domain consists of the oceans, seas, bays, estuaries, islands,
coastal areas, and the airspace above these, including the littorals. Joint maritime
operations occur in blue, green, and brown water and in the landward areas of the
littoral. Operations in blue water (high seas and open oceans) require forces capable
of remaining on station for extended periods, largely unrestricted by sea states,
and with the logistics capability to sustain the force over a sufficiently long period.
Operations in green water (coastal waters, ports, and harbours) stretching seaward
require combatant ships (Littoral Combat Ships), amphibious warfare ships (Multi
Role Support Ships - MRSS) and landing crafts as well as Littoral Mission Ships with
the stability and agility to operate effectively in surf, in shallow water, and the near-

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shore areas of the littoral. Operations in brown water (navigable rivers, lakes, bays,
and their estuaries) involve shallow and congested areas that constrain manoeuvre
but do not subject maritime forces to extreme surf conditions. Operations on land
in the littoral may involve landing forces ashore via embarked aircraft, landing craft,
and amphibious vehicles typically from MRSS.
Joint maritime operations are performed with maritime forces, and other forces
assigned, attached, or made available in support of the Joint Force Commander’s
operation or campaign objectives; or in support of other components of the
Joint Force. The degree of integration and coordination between the Joint Force
Component Commanders and the eventual success of the conduct of the Joint
Operations depends largely on the availability, suitability and capability of assigned
forces.
Whenever we engage in conducting a military operation, domination of the
battlespace is the primary aim. Domination does not necessarily dictate that we
possess a numerically superior force. It can and must focus on employing available
capabilities to the best advantage. This demands that our assets must be maintained
at the highest state of readiness and that they can be operated to their maximum
capacity by cohesive, proficient and highly motivated personnel. This is important
as it helps to ensure a successful conclusion of operations against our adversary. In
this regard, the RMN #15to5 Transformation Programme is designed to enable both
the RMN’s assets and its personnel to become more effective components of Joint
Operation whenever they are conducted in the maritime domain.

His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj is the Captain-in-Chief of the RMN.
HRH has vast interest in development of RMN operational capability

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CONSTABULARY

MILITARY OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR (MOOTW)

MOOTW encompass the use of military capabilities across a range of military operations,
short of war. MOOTW focus on promoting peace, resolving conflict and supporting civil
authorities in response to crises. It may involve elements of both combat and non-
combat operations in peacetime, conflict, and warlike environments. Some of the more
common operations involving navies include:

Rescue of MT Orkim Harmony in Jun 2015 by RMN is an
example of successfull anti piracy operation

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Jan 2011, RMN successfully foiled the attack on MT Assisting civil law enforcement authority
Bunga Laurel by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden

MARITIME BASED RESOURCE PROTECTION

Maritime-based resource protection is one of the most common constabulary roles
of naval forces and remains an important activity. From a primarily fishery protection,
the role has extended considerably in recent years to include the surveillance and
protection of strategic offshore oil & gas infrastructures and other installations, including
the surveillance and monitoring of the maritime environment and the actions of humans
within it.

ANTI-PIRACY

Naval forces have an international obligation to suppress piracy, which by definition is
an activity on the high seas. The continuous presence of warships at sea provides a
visible deterrence to pirates and enhances the confidence of international community
in the safety of patrolled waters.

NAVAL ASSISTANCE TO CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY

Naval operations that provide military assistance to civil authority are usually aimed
at supporting domestic law enforcement at sea. Maritime operations that provide
military assistance to the civil authority include counter-terrorist operations, such as the
recovery of offshore gas or oil installations or ships hijacked by terrorists.

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MH370 and QZ8501 insidents show that RMN is the only maritime agency in Malaysia capable of
conducting extended search and rescue operation outside of Malaysia’s waters
SEARCH AND RESCUE
All vessels on the high seas and aircrafts operating over them have obligations under
international law to assist in search and rescue. The air and naval forces may therefore
be required to engage in search and rescue operations at a very long range and in
extremely demanding conditions with little notice.
DISASTER RELIEF
Naval forces repeatedly demonstrate that their inherent capabilities make them uniquely
valuable in providing both short and long term assistance in disaster relief, not only for
coastal locations, but sometimes further inland. While shipborne helicopters can be
particularly useful, suitably configured ships may act as logistic support bases, hospitals
and command posts for long periods of time. Specialist skills available in ships also mean
that their personnel can be an invaluable source of trained manpower for rehabilitation and
repair work. Naval forces are self-supporting and are not a logistical burden in situations
where the infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged. RMN will need to be
better equipped and prepared to respond effectively to the increasing frequency and
intensity of natural disasters as a result of global climatic change.

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Providing supplies and assitance to remote areas affected by disasters
helps to promote Malaysia’s image and reputation

Naval capabilities are also useful for disaster relief and evacuation
such as during the tragic Palu, Sulawesi earthquake/tsunami.
EVACUATION
Evacuations will almost always be conducted on a joint basis and seek to utilise a seaport
or airport, but an amphibious operation may well prove necessary in undeveloped areas.
Apart from their ability to transport and support large numbers of people, naval forces
also provide significant assistance with shore to ship transport, utilising boats and
helicopters, as well as command, control and communications facilities to coordinate
such operations.
MARITIME FORCE ASSISTANCE TO ALLIED AND FRIENDLY COUNTRIES
Naval force assistance can be provided to other countries in a wide variety of ways. In
addition to the benign activities already listed, naval forces can exercise and assist with
the training of other national forces to increase their effectiveness. Examples include
participating in bilateral and multilateral exercises with other navies as well as the
sharing of intelligence and surveillance data.

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DIPLOMATIC

Another facet of the role of naval force is defence diplomacy. This role compared to the
other services is unique for naval force, as ships arrive in overseas ports as a complete
unit and are able to represent Malaysia whenever they conduct port visit. In this role,
the tasks range from activities which are benign to coercive in nature. Although these
tasks do not represent traditional naval roles for the RMN per se, dispensing diplomatic
duties demonstrates the geographic mobility of naval forces which can be deployed
even to the most remote coastal areas of the world. Representing the country in various
geographical areas also presents RMN with the opportunity to contribute in broader
non-combat areas, promote cooperation and at the same time build trust among
countries. By showing its presence in foreign countries and flying the Jalur Gemilang,
the RMN helps enhance bilateral relationships between Malaysia and other countries.
Informal foreign visits by RMN ships also provide Malaysia with the opportunity to
reassure neighbours, show its ability to work with host country’s military, as well as
promote Malaysia to the public at large.

Malaysian Armed Forces contribution to UN mandated mission enhance Malaysia’s reputation as
responsible and caring nation among international community

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RMN’S ROLE DURING THE 2004 ACEH TSUNAMI

On December 26, 2004 an undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 struck off
the coast of Sumatera, Indonesia. The resulting tsunami, the largest and deadliest in
recorded history, caused massive destruction. More than 230,000 people lost their lives
and the damage was estimated to be over USD19.9 billion. Widespread damage to
property and infrastructure, shortage of food and drinking water, as well as the risk of
an epidemic were major concerns.

RMN’s KD MAHAWANGSA along with several ships from Indonesia, were among
the first to arrive in Aceh to provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy. The
Aceh tsunami and other natural disasters such as typhoons and cyclones illustrate
the vulnerability of coastal communities in our region. It is therefore incumbent that all
regional nations be prepared with the necessary resources when assisting others deal
with such crises. In acknowledgment of this, the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) established the ASEAN Militaries Ready Group on Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief (AMRG on HADR) during the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting
(ADMM) on 16 March 2015. To honour Malaysia’s commitment to this noble task, the
RMN proposed the acquisition of a Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) equipped with
multiple tasking capabilities that would be invaluable to saving lives and helping affected
countries deal with disasters.

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ASEAN MILITARIES READY GROUP ON
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF (AMRG on HADR)

“The Defence Ministers of ASEAN Member States adopted the Concept Paper on ASEAN
Militaries Ready Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (AMRG on HADR) at
the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) on 16 March 2015 in Langkawi, Kedah,
Malaysia.”

“ The deployment of AMRG on HADR shall be based on three levels according to the period, the
needs of the Affected State and the capabilities available from the Assisting States:

Urgent : Provide specialists for a needs-assessment team to complement

Emergency Response and Assessment Teams

Immediate : Deploy among others relevant assets and resources such as carriers,

mobile air movement, forklift and fuel, search and rescue team,

temporary shelter and field kitchen

Middle and Long Term : Deploy among others damage assessment team, engineers and heavy

machinery for long term recovery.”

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Lahad Datu incident claimed the lives of 10 Malaysian Security Forces personnel

RMN’S ROLE DURING
LAHAD DATU INCURSION (2013)

On the 9th of February 2013, a group of approximately 235 terrorists from the
Philippines slipped, under the cover of darkness, from the south of the Philippines
and made their way towards the east coast of Sabah. They were relatively well armed
with heavy weaponry including rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and heavy machine
guns. The group went on to seize control of a small village named Tanduo in the
district of Lahad Datu, Sabah. The terrorists called themselves the ‘Royal Security
Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo’, a previously unknown armed
group led by a Tausuk ethnic Filipino called Jamalul Kiram. He was one of many
pretenders staking a claim to the throne of the old Sulu Sultanate which had ceased
to exist in Borneo. This act of terrorism started a chain of events that led to a military
response from the government of Malaysia, which eventually ended the siege on 24
March 2013.

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KD JEBAT conducting naval blockade off Lahad Datu

To ensure the effective conduct of operations against those terrorists and to re-establish
control over the affected territory, a near full spectrum military response was initiated.
While the RMAF conducted bombing runs which were followed by ground assault
from elements of the Malaysian Army, RMN warships were at sea establishing a naval
blockade to prevent reinforcement for the terrorists and to block their escape. RMN
was also prepared to carry out Special Forces insertion or landing troops from the sea
as well as Naval Gun Fire Support if they had been called upon at that time. Despite the
huge sectors and challenging geography within the Operational Area, the blockade was
successful in isolating the terrorists. The presence of RMN warships also effectively
deterred various parties from interfering in the conduct of the onshore operation.

This large-scale act of terrorism by a well-equipped foreign entity with potential
interference or support from an external power against Malaysia’s sovereignty
demonstrated that it is imperative for the Navy to be able to carry out full range combat
operations, both at sea as well as from the sea. The incursion along with persistent threat
from non-state actors has led to the establishment of a “Special Security Area” on 7th
March 2013 which was subsequently re-named East Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE).
The area covers 10 districts from Kudat to the north and Tawau to the South of East
coast of Sabah. The security of the 1400 km long coastal areas is being overseen
by on organization known as East Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM). RMN has
been and will continue to be an active contributor to the security of the area. Since the
establishment of ESSZONE, the Navy alone has conducted 961 operational tasking to
patrol the area followed by various logistical, technical and organizational support to
assist in ensuring the security of Malaysians within ESSZONE. RMN personnel are also
permanently stationed within ESSCOM.

These events proved that maritime-
based or originated threat to Malaysia’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity is
real and cannot be taken lightly. It also
highlights the need for the RMN to be
equipped with capable combatant
platforms manned by proficient
personnel to ensure we are able to
operate in either single service or joint
environment to deal with any such
threats in the future.

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CAPACITY BUILDING
As part of its effort to support Defence Diplomacy, RMN is currently involved in various
forms of bilateral and multilateral naval cooperation aimed at building capacity and
trust. Amongst them are exercises and exchange of officers within ASEAN navies and
also navies outside ASEAN. Long-standing bilateral relationships have existed between
RMN and neighbouring navies like Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and
Brunei Darussalam. These relationships have advanced to a stage where sufficient
trust has been established to enable various arrangements to address regional security
threats. Recent examples of such arrangements include the Trilateral Cooperative
Arrangements (TCA) aimed at eliminating cross border criminal activities such as kidnap
for ransom, human trafficking and other illegal activities that threaten stability, law and
order and sovereignty of member states of TCA.
NAVAL ASSISTANCE TO CIVIL COMMUNITY
Naval assistance to civil community is another dimension that contributes to defence
diplomacy. It differs from aid to the Civil Law Enforcement Authority in that it is related
simply to the provision of help in civil matters and not the enforcement of law and order.
It ranges from education to salvage, environmental management, pollution control and
the provision of personnel and systems to aid community development.

ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ meeting in Pattaya, Thailand Nov 2017

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RMN participation in RIMPAC 2018, the largest naval exercise in the world is a
demonstration of its commitment to defence diplomacy.

RMN AND DIPLOMACY

Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) holds the view that the fast changing and
dynamic global diplomatic environment requires a pragmatic approach to Military
Diplomacy. The ministry has adopted a whole-of-ministry approach to advance
Malaysia’s interest in this regard. The aim is to support the government’s effort in
enhancing Malaysia’s credibility in the international arena through Defence Diplomacy.

In enhancing naval cooperation with non-ASEAN navies within the region, RMN is
engaged in various activities in support of established defence diplomacy channels,
such as Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA), Defence High Level Committee
(DHLC), Pacific Partnership, Naval Working Group (NWG) and Western Pacific Naval
Symposium (WPNS). We also participate actively in numerous international defence
forums, symposiums, seminars and exhibitions. Some of the more prominent extra-
regional partners with whom RMN has had regular interactions include members of
FPDA, the United States Navy, People’s Liberation Army-Navy of China, French Navy,
Indian Navy, Republic of Korea Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

SECURITY DEFENCE DIPLOMACY WELFARE

MY-PRC GBC MY-US READINESS HADR CIMIC

IMT TCA ADMM Exercises MY-US HADR MY-FR Cox’s Bazar
MY-AU TTC DSA FPDA
MSP UN Mission LIMA WPNS TCA Pacific Partnership

To support MINDEF’s aim through Defence Diplomacy, RMN personnel, particularly
those in command positions and senior officers must possess a good understanding
of geo-strategic issues and their associated dynamics so that they can play the role of
unofficial ambassadors representing Malaysia whenever they interact with our partners.
RMN must also be equipped with assets which are sufficiently capable of reassuring
our friends that we are a dependable partner - one that is able to work with them and
support them when the need arises.

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DISPOSITION
OF RMN BASES

HQ NAVAL REGION 3
Langkawi

RESIDENT NAVAL OFFICE HQ NAVAL REGION 1
Pulau Pinang Tg Gelang

WESTERN FLEET COMMAND NAVAL RESERVE COMMAND
NAVAL EDUCATION Sg Lunchoo

TRAINING COMMAND TRAINING CENTRE
SPECIAL FORCE COMMAND Tg Pengelih

Lumut
NATIONAL

HYDROGRAPHIC
CENTRE

Pulau Indah, Klang

NAVY HQ
Kuala Lumpur

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EASTERN FLEET COMMAND HQ NAVAL REGION 2
SUBMARINE COMMAND Sandakan
Kota Kinabalu
OFFSHORE STATIONS
Gugusan Semarang Peninjau

HQ NAVAL REGION 4 FORWARD OPERATION BASE
Bintulu Tawau

RESIDENT NAVAL OFFICE FORWARD OPERATION BASE
Kuching Semporna

Surface Ship Base
Submarines Base
Head Quarters
Forward Base/Station

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MARITIME
SECURITY
CHALLENGES
AND FUTURE
FORCE LEVEL
DEVELOPMENT

A variety of factors, many beyond the scope of the maritime
arena, will have a substantial effect on maritime security in
the future. Most will neither be inherently asymmetrical nor
conventional in nature, but will encompass elements of
each. These forces are already at work today; indeed, many
profoundly affecting the maritime security environment. In
the future, some will retain their prominence and others
will rise markedly in influence.

According to the United Nations, 41 percent of the world’s pirate attacks between 1995 and 2013
took place in the Malacca and Singapore straits

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From a maritime perspective, the sea is a source of prosperity and advancement.
It acts as a medium for interaction between local, regional and global communities.
Enormous amounts of goods have travelled by sea since time immemorial. There
are over 23,000 ships underway everyday transporting about 95% of the world’s
commerce and more than half of the world’s population resides within 100
km of a coastline. When maritime security communities speak about Sea Lines
of Communication (SLOC) they refer to more than mere shipping routes. SLOC
represent access to the renewable resources of the sea such as fishing stocks
and natural resources that can be extracted from beneath it. We continue to be
dependent on free and open access to the sea for our security and prosperity just as
we did centuries ago. The difference is that today the sea has become a dangerous
conduit for various actors who see the general lack of security and attention by
many coastal states as an opportunity to exploit and impose their will. This trend is
expected to continue well into the future.

Despite the absence of universally accepted definitions of “Regional Security”,
the term in a Southeast Asia context relates to a significant degree to maritime
security. Of the 10 ASEAN members, nine are coastal states and they include two
of the world’s largest archipelagic states. Their reliance on maritime security was
clearly demonstrated in August 2017 during the 50th ASEAN Foreign Minister’s
Meeting held in Manila when the joint communiqué emphasized the need for

“...strengthening linkages in maritime cooperation to further
promote mutual trust and confidence to ensure security,
peace and stability including ensuring the safety and freedom
of navigation...”

Maritime security in its strictest and most traditional sense refers to protection from
military threats via seaborne or naval operations carried out by adversary’s forces
with the aim of seizing control over one’s seas. More contemporary and accepted
definitions include security from the threat to coastal states or maritime communities
from activities at sea such as piracy or armed robbery against ships, seaborne
illicit trade or trafficking, intentional and unlawful damage to marine ecosystems
or the environment such as discharging pollutants as well as illegal exploitation of
maritime resources including those via illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

This gradual but significant shift in strategic priorities - away from a strict interpretation
of maritime security as a purely militaristic endeavour will result in ever-increasing
pressures on navies to develop the capabilities necessary to address a wider range
of security challenges.

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Collaboration and partnership in capacity building contributed to effective operations, build trust
and manage risk

Some of the more pressing threats that are directly or indirectly linked to the
maritime domain and has the potential to affect Malaysia’s security include:
1. Territorial Disputes and Maritime Claims

Overlapping and competing territorial and maritime claims continue to be a
source of friction in our region. Actions to change established status quo and
militarization of part of the disputed area have resulted in heightening tensions
between claimants and other legitimate users of the seas. As our economic
livelihood depended so much on the open and free uses of the sea, any attempt
to control or restrict uses of Sea Lines of Communications could severely impact
our economy and sovereignty. These challenges appear to be escalating and are
unlikely to be resolved in the near future.
2. Terrorism and Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs).
Threats posed to Malaysia by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) and other
VEOs have led to increased attention towards counter-terrorism efforts. Although
Malaysia did not experience IS-related attacks since 2017 and the number of
foreign terrorist fighters from Malaysia has decreased, we are still labelled as
a source, transit, and to a lesser extent a destination country for suspected IS
supporters. The March 2013 attacks on Lahad Datu and the five month siege
of Marawi, Philippines in May 2017 demonstrated the type of capability that
terrorists or VEOs are able to field within a short space of time. A range of
extremist actors motivated by ideology, financial gain, clan ties, politics, or other
reasons could result in other similar attacks with little or no warning.

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Abu Sayyaf is the regional off-shoot of IS. It is one of several VEOs operating around the
Sulu-Celebes Sea tri-border areas.

3. Great Power Competition.
Rivalry, particularly between the world’s sole superpower and Asia’s rising power in
this region is a source of concern. Although the probability of military conflict for the
sake of gaining territory between the two powers is remote, their rivalry for dominant
status and influence is equally dangerous. Brinkmanship, followed by a miscalculation
by commanders on the ground could easily lead to conflict and destabilize the whole
region. Malaysia has asked for a reduction in the presence of warship in the South
China Sea as it sees it as being critical to preventing accidents and militarization and as
having the potential to impede freedom of navigation.

4. Natural Disasters
Our region is the most disaster-prone region in the world. About 75 percent of the
Earth’s volcanoes and 90 percent of earthquakes occur in the “Ring of Fire” surrounding
the Pacific Basin where the majority of our neighbours are located and where we are
adjacent to. According to a 2015 UN report, disasters over the last ten years took
the lives of half a million people in the region with over 1.5 billon people affected and
causing damages valued at more than USD 500 Billion. When natural disasters and
humanitarian crises strike, communities are often devastated and left vulnerable, having
little access to life’s essentials such as food, clean water, shelter and basic services.
When there is a disaster, an organized response to alleviate the consequence of a
catastrophe is imperative. If the intensity of natural disasters result in severe humanitarian
crises such as the one that struck Palu in Indonesia recently, a large scale disaster relief
involving emergency response and restoration is necessary. In a maritime region like
ours, large scale disaster relief can only be carried out effectively with the involvement
of military assets, especially from a suitably equipped navy.

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5. Transnational Crime.
Transnational criminal organizations operating across borders are responsible
for the majority of illicit activities and violence in this region. In this instance,
technology is the enabler that disperses such organizations across borders,
while vast local knowledge is used to hide their real activities, thus making
effective targeting of these threats very challenging. The discreet and versatile
nature of drug and human trafficking organizations, smugglers and kidnap-
for-ransom by armed groups often enables them to commit crime without
being detected. Our maritime border areas which are vast and difficult to
patrol are particularly vulnerable to these threats.

6. Cyber Security
Growing interconnectedness between digital and physical worlds and the
increasing dependence on information technology have expanded the risk of
cyber attacks in recent years. Geopolitical tensions further increases demand
among state and non-state actors to collect confidential information, which
in turn drive cyber espionage activities. The risk of cyber attacks particularly
against critical infrastructure information (CII) systems such as those used in
our ports and defense network is a major concern for Malaysia. Successful
cyber attacks can degrade or disable CII systems and as a consequence
disrupt essential services, undermine confidence in the national economy
and affect safety and security. High-profile attacks such as the WannaCry
ransomware attack in May 2017 disrupted livelihood in many countries,
including Malaysia. Cyber attacks have become increasingly sophisticated
and the trend is set to continue.

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7. Proliferation of Weapon of Mass Destruction

Nuclear armament proliferation in several Asian countries is a major threat to
regional security and stability. Countries with nuclear armament within this region
have all increased their warhead inventories over the past several years, albeit
in a muted manner. Malaysia along with other regional countries are particularly
apprehensive when North Korea continues to carry out Intercontinental Ballistic
Missile tests despite sanctions and having agreed not to do so. Elsewhere in
South Asia, ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India remains a long
standing challenge. The nuclear policies of both countries continue to be a
significant source of concern for the region. The two states continue to develop
and test nuclear weapons with land, sea and air-based missile delivery systems
that possess the range that extends well beyond the sub-continent.

8. Climate Change

Average temperatures in Southeast Asia have been on the rise every decade
since 1960. Asian Development Bank estimates that Southeast Asia would suffer
a bigger loss compared to most of the other regions of the world. Left unchecked,
climate change could potentially reduce 11% of the region’s GDP by the end of
the century as it affects important sectors such as agriculture, tourism, fishing as
well as health and labour productivity. As climate change accelerates it will also
shape the region’s major strategic challenges. This includes a host of maritime
security issues such as contested boundary delimitation when demarcation
baseline changes, trans-national migrations as populations flock to greener
pastures and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing when established areas
have depleted their stocks.

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9. Food Security
Malaysia currently ranks 41 out of 113 countries on the Global Food Security
Index. Although the Self Sufficiency Level is healthy, the trend may change in the
future as our population increases and competition for food source intensifies. A
vast majority of our food is either from the sea, or imported into the country via
the sea. In the event of a conflict at seas that surround us or any other incidence
that hampers our ability to extract food from the sea or impedes food supplies
into Malaysia, we could face a severe shortage of food supplies.

10. Energy Security
Energy security is defined as “the uninterrupted availability of energy sources
at an affordable price”. Long-term energy security is about timely investments
that supply energy in line with economic developments and sustainable
environmental needs, while short-term energy security focuses on the ability
of the energy system to react promptly to sudden changes within the supply-
demand balance. Energy security is thus linked to the negative economic and
social impacts of either physical unavailability of energy or large, unreasonable
price fluctuations. As Malaysia’s major source of energy is still petroleum based
and almost all of which are located offshore, any disruption to the production,
storage and distribution of those supplies can have a negative impact on the
economy and our well-being.

Protecting energy supplies and the means to transport them such as this operation in the
Gulf of Aden are increasingly important task for RMN

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To address the challenges stated above, RMN must develop an appropriate force structure
and capability that is credible, versatile and relevant to the needs of the country. This will
enable the navy to stay ahead of both the traditional and non-traditional maritime security
threats.
Designing a force structure cannot be effective unless directed towards clearly identified
needs. While today’s needs are different from the past and may differ in the future, what is
certain is that Malaysia requires a navy that possesses a diverse range of capability instead
of one that is confined only to the realm of combat or fighting a high intensity conflict.
Therefore our fleet or Armada as it is known in our Service, must be evenly prepared and
our force structure be designed to be able to respond to different types of challenges; from
providing assistance to civil community to responding to natural disasters and at the same
time deter potential aggressors.

First Steel Cutting Ceremony of RMN Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) in Wuhan, China. LMS
will provide versatile yet low cost solution for Malaysia’s needs

The high level technology and quality of the vessels within the Armada will be of little use if
the “man behind the machine” and the relevant supporting elements are not performing at
optimum level. To achieve this, RMN must adopt a more pragmatic strategy that not only
focuses on recapitalizing the fleet, but also one that focuses on fielding a balanced Armada,
while enhancing its enterprise processes, policies, structures and most importantly, its
human capital. This will enable us to not only hone existing capabilities but also make
necessary adjustments to meet the increasingly diverse challenges of the future.
As the largest and the only branch of maritime services in Malaysia that possesses the reach
and the means to conduct persistent and out of area operations, the RMN is expected to
continue to play an important role in addressing these security challenges either singularly
or in cooperation with other maritime agencies. In short, RMN will need to balance its
future force structure between one that is capable of fighting at sea, providing support and
influencing events ashore as well as fulfilling other diplomatic and constabulary functions
in an environment where Malaysia’s interests and Malaysian are becoming increasingly
globalised.

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WHY WE NEED
TO TRANSFORM

Throughout our history, we have been called upon to act in time of crises
and in peace, and today the navy is expected to play an even larger and
more vital roles in advancing Malaysia’s maritime-based interests. At home,
we are facing never seen before security challenges which are complex and
evolving. Abroad, as Malaysia’s interests become increasingly global, we
must keep pace and maintain our ability to respond to contingencies in
other parts of the world. As we move forward, we are faced with competing
realities of shrinking defence budgets and rising maritime security challenges.
The current fiscal environment demands that we critically examine every
aspect of our business enterprise to improve effectiveness and at the same
time to drive down the cost of business operations.

Ageing of Royal Malaysian Navy Current Fleet

CLASS 1960
LEKIU 1970
KASTURI 1980

COMBAT LCS 1983
LAKSAMANA 1983
PATROL 1972
KEDAH 1968 1979
PERDANA 1976
HANDALAN
1980
JERONG
SUPPORT KRIS 1978
1966 (1991-25 YEARS)
MPCSS
SUB AUXILIARY
MAHAMIRU

HIDRO
HANG TUAH
PERDANA MENTERI

Ship’s Life Period Point of Diminishing Return SLEP

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The venerable KD HANG TUAH was constructed in 1966. As she aged, return of investment
in term of availability vis-a-vis cost required to maintain her is diminishing

TODAY
1990 AGE
2000
2010 23 YEARS
2020 35 YEARS
LCS1 - 2019
1995 35 YEARS
(2008-25 YEARS) 9 YEARS
46 YEARS
(2008-25 YEARS) 39 YEARS
2009 42 YEARS
50 YEARS
(1997-25 YEARS) 38 YEARS
(1997-25 YEARS) 21 YEARS
33 YEARS
(2001-25 YEARS) 40 YEARS
(1983-25 YEARS) 51 YEARS
9 YEARS
(2005-25 YEARS)
1997
1985 (2010-25 YEARS)
(1991-25 YEARS)

2009

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FROM VICIOUS TO VIRTUOUS: TRANSFORMING LOCAL SHIPBUILDING AND
REPAIR INDUSTRY’S BOOM AND BUST CYCLE

In the absence of a stable and long term shipbuilding plan, the industry is often
faced with a vicious “boom and bust cycle”. This is the consequence of many
years of under-investment and short term, ad hoc building plans. This situation
has resulted in increased cost of construction, wasteful infrastructure investment,

A contincououomtfluopswlsehtoiiopfnbmuooifldneieanycghapnprdorojeljoecsctsst.wofiltlaleleandt taosssuksitllaeidnawbolerkaenrsd lrooobkusfot rshwiopbrkuieldlsinegwhinedruesotrny

VIBRANT SHIPBUILDING ACTIVITIES WITH #15TO5

10 1,200

Comparison of 9 1,000
shipbuilding activities with 8 800
the implementation of 7
#15to5 6

5 600

4

400
3

2
200

1
Number of local Local shipbuilding vendors VS Naval Shipbuilding activities

5 800

4 2008 2009 7200010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030

4 600 No of ships No of shipbuilding acticities

3 No shipbuilding activity. 500
No shipbuilding activity. The vendors either
The vendors either closed down or 400

3 closed down or transitioned into different 300 Secured investment with long
transitioned into different industries. The 200 term shipbuilding programme

2 industries. The remaining vendors 100
remaining vendors survived with naval
survived with naval shiprepair works

2 shiprepair works

1

1

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030

*No of vessels under costruction No of vendors (5to5)

To change this into a virtuous cycle requires a strategic shift in how we deal
with the local shipbuilding industry. As a major domestic shipbuilding customer,
the government, through RMN’s Fleet 15to5 Transformation Programme, can
positively shape the direction of local shipbuilding industry. This can be achieved by
transforming our naval shipbuilding and repair industry with a long term, predictable
and continuous work order for local shipbuilders. It will not only ensure the delivery
of capabilities required by the navy, but will also result in lower costs of construction,
a secure shipbuilding industrial future and retainment of investments made on
infrastructure as well as skilled manpower. Further, it has a spill-over benefit into
other related industries and sectors.

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With a strength of over 17,000 active personnel, today the RMN is the biggest
and most important maritime defence and security agency in Malaysia. While the
number of personnel is deemed optimal, the same cannot be said about our current
force structure. The RMN’s existing Armada is made up of 15 different classes of
ships that include frigates, submarines, corvettes, strike craft, support and auxiliary
platforms. These ships were built in 7 different countries by several shipyards.
This presents us with complex logistical and training challenges. Apart from cost
challenges to keep the ships available for operational commitments, the Armada
also faces obsolescence.

Most of our ships have passed the point in their service life where the returns in
terms of availability and readiness vis-a-vis the cost required to upkeep them has
begun markedly to diminish. Several ships are venerable, having already passed
the 50 year mark. Studies and experience have shown that traditional practices at
prolonging their shelf life through efforts such as Service Life Extension Programme
(SLEP) have failed to provide satisfactory returns compared to the investments made
on them. In fact, in the long run, such efforts have proven to be more expensive than
acquiring new ships.

Having ships built mostly in foreign countries means the RMN is much more
susceptible to foreign industry directions and variations in maintenance and logistical
costs which result in having little to no control over the total cost of ownership. It
also results in a constant outflow of Malaysian Ringgit, little domestic investment
in infrastructure and skill sets, discouraging growth and contributing minimally to
the country’s economy. Although it was necessary when Malaysia had very limited
industrial capacity, the situation today has significantly changed. As we aspire to
attain a developed nation status, it is incumbent that we support the development
of our local shipbuilding and defence industry as part of a larger national endeavour.

Like most other small navies, RMN’s legacy force structure is designed to conduct
defensive operations against an adversary in a short and aggressive campaign
within Malaysia’s maritime territory, deny their objectives and impose unacceptable
costs on the aggressor. The fulfilment of other roles was not a major consideration
but a byproduct of existing combat capability. While current individual ships are
relatively well equipped for their tasks and are operationally able, they lack the
flexibility needed to operate effectively against many of the potential threats and
challenges that we will face in the coming decades. Today, not only are our ships
ageing, they also represent a mismatch between inventory and actual operational
needs. As it stands, RMN’s Armada is hard-pressed to meet their operational
requirements especially when taking into account the required maintenance, crew
training, personnel turnover and operational tempo objectives.

ROYAL

#15TO5MALAYSIAN
NAVY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME

Continued engagement with international partners and allies are crucial in building our
capacity
Although military roles remain at the heart of our force structure and central to what
we do; the demand for RMN to fulfil constabulary and other benign functions has
been on the increase in recent times. In the past five years, for example, Maritime
Security Operations and other constabulary/benign functions constituted over 85%
of the tasks assigned to us. On the other hand, incidents such as the Malayan
Emergency (1948-1960), Konfrontasi (1962–1966), Second Malayan Emergency
(1968-1989) and the Lahad Datu Incursion of 2013 provide a vivid reminder that
RMN must continue to place combat capability at the forefront of its force structure.
The Lahad Datu incident especially and the growing militarisation in the South China
Sea highlight the need for the navy to design a new force structure that comprises
assets that are able to meet both combat and non-combat demands as well as
future maritime security challenges at optimal cost.
Today’s dynamic security environment has multiple challenges from state and
non-state actors characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity
that are often fed by disorder, ideological and great power competition as well
as technological advancements. Developing a versatile and credible force is
imperative if we were to remain relevant to the needs of the country. Transforming
our legacy fleet is the way forward as it prepares us to meet these challenges more
effectively by striking the right balance between capabilities for military, diplomatic,
constabulary and benign functions. To ensure the successful execution of missions
entrusted to us, we cannot depend solely on ships. While it is intrinsically linked
to how capable we are, success requires a more holistic approach that includes
transforming our people and enterprise processes.

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