Export subs

Export RDM submarines for Malaysia

 

Check out the Subs shipped to Malaysia page for photos of the transport from The Netherlands to Malaysia.

 

Telegraaf - 5 Aug 2005

The Dutch Ministry of Defence will take RDM to court on Monday in order to force them to srap the two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy Zwaardvis-class submarines, or get then back to the Netherlands.

The subs are already in a Malaysian port. The MOD is afraid the boats might get confiscated because Van den Nieuwenhuyzen has not payed his bills. This could result in the subs, and or parts of it, getting in the wrong hands.

With the court case the Dutch MOD will try to force Van den Nieuwenhuyzen to start scrapping the subs before September, or to get them back to the Netherlands.

ANP - 13 Apr 2005

The Dutch Ministry Of Defence has given the business man Joep van den Nieuwenhuyzen till April 24 to come up with a plan to scrap the two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy Zwaardvis-class submarines, Zwaardvis (2) and Tijgerhaai (2). If he does not come up with a plan the MOD will go to court.

The MOD has urged the the business man to scrap the subs because the subs are still not sold and the bills of the Malaysian port authorities and increasing. The MOD want to prevent that the yard will confiscate the submarines or that the vessels are scrapped by using child labour. The MOD also wants to prevent vital parts like torpedo tubes and radar from getting in the wrong hands.

Originally this plan has to be ready before January 1st. But Van den Nieuwenhuyzen magaged to get the dat posponed again. But now the MOD is fed up and wants a plan according to the agreements in the contract.

Joep van den Nieuwenhuyzen stated that he has 3 potential buyers for the submarines and that he will pay the yard as soon as the subs are sold.

Spring 2002

In the Spring of 2002 Malaysia officially announced it will go for a deal with the French. Early June a deal for the delivery of 2 French Scorpene submarines (first to be delivered in 2007) was signed. A refitted French Agosta 70 will be used to train RMN submariners.

 

Jane's Defence Weekly 21 Nov 2001

Jane's Defence Weekly reports that France is close to securing a contract to supply submarines to Malaysia. . . . .Their source (a report in the Paris Business Daily of Nov 5) follows an announcement last month by Abdul Razak that Malaysia would no longer be considering a proposal by the Netherlands-based RDM shipyard to supply two used Zwaardvis-class, the Zwaardvis and the Tijgerhaai, and two new build Moray-class SSK's to the RMN.

 

Business Times Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 20

The Malaysian government is finalizing negotiations to buy four submarines and is expected to award a contract next month. Talks are continuing with at least three companies that have tendered for contracts to supply the submarines, a government official said, adding that "contracts will be awarded next month... probably for two submarines first, and two more sometime next year." Among the bidders are France's DCN International, the Netherlands' RDM Submarines, and the German-Turkish Submarine Corp led by Germany's Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Ferrostaal.

 

Source: NRC/Menno Steketee 24 Oct 2001 

The Malaysian Minister of defence stated that the Malaysian government will acquire two second hand submarines and two new ones. He also stated that the two ex-Dutch submarines off the Zwaardvis class will not be part of the deal. This is a major set back for RDM since this Dutch yard counted on the deal and therefore already shipped the two submarines to Malaysia last year. The plan was to refit these subs at the Penang Shipbuilding and Construction-Naval Dockyard before leasing them to the Malaysian Navy.

Last year there was talk that Malaysia intended to sign the lease contract and even wanted to buy  two new Dutch Moray submarines (app. 500 million guilders a piece).

It is reported that RDM is still talking to the highest authorities in order to get this deal closed.

Some other bad news for RDM is that US shipyards might use Dutch blueprints (Seadragon class) in order to help Taiwan getting its submarines. If this plan is realized the US could also offer this design to Egypt, which is an other potential customer for RDM.

 

Email, 22 Sep 2001.

It is reported that: "there will be some important Dutch submarine news during or just before/after the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA). The exhibition is held 9th - 14th October 2001."
This news will probably have to do with the two ex-Dutch Navy subs that are to be leased to Malaysia or with the possible sale of new subs to Malaysia.

 

Email, 20 Sep 2001.

The Apr. 22 report that one of the ex-Dutch Navy Swordfish submarines is expected to be "towed'' to Langkawi for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) can not be confirmed anymore. According to the latest news none of the Swordfish submarines will be present at this exhibition.

 

Jane's Defence Weekly 14 May 2001.

RICHARD SCOTT, JDW Naval Editor Singapore.

Malaysia is engaging in talks with three European submarine builders as it once more strives to realise long-held ambitions to establish a submarine arm.

France's DCN International, RDM Submarines of the Netherlands and the German Turkish Submarine Corporation (led by Germany's Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft [HDW] and Ferrostaal) have each put forward proposals for the initial transfer of two second-hand boats, to be followed in the longer term by two new-build submarines.

All three contenders are continuing discussions with the ministries of defence and finance, and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). Various lease, purchase and lease-to-buy arrangements are being explored.

DCN International is proposing the transfer of two ex-French Navy Agosta 70 submarines, with NAVFCO providing crew training and instruction to the RMN. This would be linked to the follow-on purchase of two new-build Scorpene submarines.

RDM Submarines' offer revolves around the two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy Zwaardvis-class submarines Zwaardvis and Tijgerhaai, which were last year shipped from Rotterdam to Lumut at the company's own cost. RDM Submarines is proposing that they should be overhauled and reactivated at PSC Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd in Lumut to serve as training boats.

For the RMN's longer-term requirements, the company is promoting its Moray-class design.

HDW and Ferrostaal are proposing a deal in conjunction with Gölcük Naval Dockyard and the Turkish Naval Forces Command (TNFC). This would initially involve the lease of two Turkish Type 209/1200 boats with an accompanying training package from the TNFC.

This would be followed in the longer term by the delivery of new-build Type 209/1400 submarines assembled in Gölcük Naval Dockyard using German-supplied materiel kits.

Some observers believe a source-selection decision could be forthcoming at the LIMA defence show on Langkawi Island in October. However, other industry sources remain more cautious, pointing out that political and financial uncertainties could again see the RMN's submarine acquisition plans put on hold.

 

By Zulkifli Abd Rahman The Star 26 Apr 2001.

The Royal Malaysian Navy will acquire four submarines in a move to enhance its defence capability, Royal Malaysian Navy chief Laksamana Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdul Jamal said yesterday.

He said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was expected to announce the details of the acquisition of the submarines soon.

"The submarines that we will acquire will be a mix of new and refurbished vessels.

"We have received offers from several countries wanting to sell their submarines to us.

"Their interest can be judged with the confirmation of several countries that they will send submarines for this year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace show,'' Laksamana Abu Bakar said at the Defence Ministry yesterday.

He was speaking to journalists during a meet-the-press session in conjunction with the RMN's 67th anniversary.

Submarine manufacturers from Germany, France, Sweden and Holland are bidding to supply submarines to Malaysia.

It is learnt that the navy has listed down two manufacturers to be chosen to supply the vessels.

Laksamana Abu Bakar said the submarines would help complement the Armed Forces' underwater defence capability and protect Malaysia's rich sea resources.

Laksamana Abu Bakar added that the submarines would help the RMN become a credible force in protecting the country's Exclusive Economic Zone and Malaysian ships using the Straits of Malacca.

"To us, the most important reason for acquiring submarines is to ensure that peace and stability will prevail in the region,'' he added.

Laksamana Abu Bakar said naval personnel had been undergoing submarine training overseas and here to prepare themselves to operate the vessels.

Singapore operates a fleet of four second-hand Swedish submarines while the Indonesian navy operates a fleet of German submarines bought from former East Germany

 

The Star 22 Apr 2001.

Mindef officials at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2001 will be spoilt for choice of submarines with at least four manufacturers displaying their craft at the biennial exhibition.

The four, which have supplied submarines to several navies of the world, are said to be the Swedish Kockums, the German Submarine Consortium (GSC), the Dutch RDM and French DCNI.

All four are "interested'' in offering their submersible products to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) which announced last year that it was shopping for submarines.

The Government had approved an allocation under the Eighth Malaysia Plan for the RMN to operate a submarine fleet.

It is learnt that Mindef has sent out invitations to selected countries on the possibility of sending their submarines for exhibition at Lima 2001.

"Submarines are Government-to-Government concerns. No manufacturer can just send their submarines without a G-to-G clearance,'' a defence source said here yesterday.

There are now two Swordfish-class submarines --a private venture between PSC Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd and Dutch RDM-- harboured in Lumut.

One of the submarines is expected to be "towed'' to Langkawi for the maritime exhibition.

The two diesel-electric powered submarines have been berthed in Lumut since December for refurbishment and upgrading work.

 

The Star 20 Dec 2000.

LUMUT: In anticipation of a purchase of submarines by the Government for the Royal Malaysian Navy, PSC-Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd has brought in two Swordfish-class submarines to be refurbished and modernized.

The work will be done under a partnership with Dutch submarine builder RDM Holdings.

SET FOR UPGRADING .. welding supervisor Azizan Hamid checking the mooring rope of one of the submarines in Lumut yesterday.

PSC-Naval Dockyard group managing director Azlan Shah said the submarines, which served with the Royal Netherlands Navy until 1994, would be offered to the Malaysian Government or other interested parties after they were upgraded.

He said Malaysia and neighbouring countries were potential clients of RDM, which was scouting for customers in the region.

Azlan told reporters after touring the naval dockyard and one of the submarines here that the offer to the Royal Malaysian Navy would comprise a comprehensive package that would include training locally and abroad.

The two 66.5m-long vessels, each with 67-man capacity, were transported from Rotterdam to Malaysia by a heavy lift ship and arrived here last Wednesday.

The long-range diesel-electric submarines have a submerged displacement of about 2,700 tonnes. With six torpedo launching tubes and a maximum submerged speed of 20 knots, they were used for anti-submarine operations during the Cold War.

Azlan said PSC-Naval Dockyard and RDM were negotiating the work scope for the refurbishment.

Emedia 20 December 2000

Local shipbuilding giant PSC-Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd (NDSB) is teaming up with the Dutch RDM (Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij) Submarines to supply the Royal Malaysian Navy with submarines.

PSC-NDSB managing director Azlan Shah Omar Shah said yesterday the partnership would be offering two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy Zwaardvis class submarines to the RMN to be used as a training platform.

"We will refurbish and upgrade the submarines before making an offer to the Government. Our effort is in line with the Government's needs for a submarine force," he said after unveiling the submarines at the PSC-NDSB Shipyard in Lumut.

Besides training future Malaysian submariners, the partnership would also spice up its offer to the Government by building a submarine centre here and possibly supply two newly-built submarines to the RMN, he said.

"We can supply the nation with new submarines," he said, adding that the vessels would likely come from the modern Moray class submarines.

Asked if his company was confident of securing the contract in the face of intense competition, Azlan Shah said: "It's up to the government but we are confident of getting the contract from RDM."

The two Zwaardvis class submarines were built in 1970 and decommissioned by the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1994 as a result of the end of the Cold War.

The diesel-electric powered submarines, capable of carrying up to 20 torpedoes, were then acquired by RDM Submarines to be re-sold to other countries.

The inclusion of PSC-RDM Submarines in the race to supply Malaysia with the necessary submarine fleet meant that there would now be three companies offering the same weapons.

Besides PSC-RDM Submarines with its Zwaardvis class submarines, the other two contenders are a German company with its HDW-209 class submarines and France's DCN International with its Agosta class.

The two submarines, named Zwaardvis and Tijgerhaai, were transported to Malaysia from the Netherlands using a heavy-dock vessel, Smit Explorer. The vessels left the country on Oct 20 and arrived in Lumut six days ago.

Azlan Shah said RDM Submarines' decision to refurbish and upgrade its submarines here spoke volumes for the NDSB's capabilities in the submarines field.

He also said that should its offer to sell the two submarines to the Government fail, the partnership would try to market the submarines to other interested countries.

PSC-NDSB, in collaboration with the German Naval Group (GNG) secured a major defence contract from the Malaysian Government two years ago for the construction of 27 New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV) for the RMN.

Email 24 Nov 2000

The heavy-dock vessel Smit-Explorer with on board the two Zwaardvis (2)-class submarines is expected to arrive in Lumut (Malaysia) on Dec 14th. The submarines will be refitted, with RDM assistance, at the PSC-Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd in Lumut. After the refit they will be offered to the Malaysian navy as lease/training boats.

Check out the Subs shipped to Malaysia page for photos of this transport.

Email Oct 20 2000

Today, the 20th of Oct, the Smit Explorer (a heavy-dock vessel) with on board two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy Zwaardvis (2)- class submarines, Zwaardvis (2) and Tijgerhaai (2) will depart for Malaysia. The deal between RDM and the Malaysian government is not yet closed, but since the subs are already shipped to Malaysia RDM Submarines must be very confident the deal will be closed soon.

Jane's Defence Weekly 18 October 2000

Malaysia is negotiating a five-year lease contract with RDM Submarines of the Netherlands for the transfer of two ex-Royal Netherlands Navy Zwaardvis (2)-class submarines, Zwaardvis (2) and Tijgerhaai (2).

NRC 30 Aug 2000.

It is reported that the RDM yard will probably sell the two decommissioned Zwaardvis (2) class submarines to Malaysia. This news was already reported on this site in April 2000, but after a request of RDM this info was deleted from this site. At a later date RDM will also deliver two newly built Moray submarines.

The two Zwaardvis (2) class subs will be refitted and will be used to train the Malaysian Navy, which currently has no submarines. The newspaper reports that the lease contract for the two subs is already signed.

The talks about the sell of two newly built Moray class submarines are still going on. The cost of a single Moray submarine (probably 1400 or 1800 tons) will be between 450 and 600 million Dutch guilders.

Email Apr 2000.

According to the newest rumours the submarine deal between the Dutch RDM shipyard and Egypt is off. But it is also reported (rumours) that there are negotiations between RDM and Malaysia about the sale of the two decommissioned (and bought by RDM) ex-Dutch Navy Zwaardvis (2)-class submarines. The Malaysian Navy would use one, or both, of these subs as training boats.

 

Star Publications 26 Apr 1996.

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's strategic position along vital sea communication routes used by ships from around the world made it necessary for the country to havesubmarines, a Dutch company official said.

Jouke A. Schotel, general manager of Rotterdam-based RDM Submarines BV, said its important position at the crossroads between West and East Asia made it imperative for Malaysia to have greater surveillance over maritime transport through its waters. In addition, it would also enhance security in the Asia-Pacific region where other countries like Japan, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and South Korea owned submarines, he told Bernama on Wednesday. Closer to home, Indonesia has acquired a submarine, Singapore has decided to buy a Swedish submarine while Thailand was likely to tender for one soon, he said. Schotel, who is representing his company at the Fifth Defence Services Asia (DSA '96) exhibition, said Malaysia could start its submarine program by acquiring a 60-metre 1,500-tonne vessel costing between US$450 million (RM1.125 billion) and US$600 million (RM1.500 billion). "A submarine, which is hard to detect by radar even within a 15km radius, has its own strengths," he said.
On his company's bid to supply submarines to Malaysia, he said it had been making representations since the mid-80s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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