REPORTED "INTRUSION" OF UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT IN JOHOR

nWo SG

Source: Bernama

March 17, 2006 22:17 PM

Air Control System Did Not Detect Violation Of Airspace, Says Najib

JOHOR BAHARU, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's air control system did not detect any violation of airspace by unauthorised foreign aircraft over Gelang Patah in Johor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday.

He said the aircraft that reportedly circled above Gelang Patah two days ago was actually in Singapore airspace and had not entered Malaysian airspace at all.

"The Defence Ministry was informed of the matter and it is clear that our control system did not detect any trespassing aircraft," he told reporters after a visit to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex project construction site in Bukit Chagar, here.

Najib said the ministry had identified the type of aircraft but no action could be taken as it was in Singapore airspace.

The people of Gelang Patah, especially Kampung Tebing Runtoh and several other villages, had complained of the persistent drone of an aircraft circling in the airspace above, and the ministry launched a probe that would be completed in a week.

-- BERNAMA

nWo SG

Source: Bernama

March 17, 2006 16:15 PM

Unidentified Aircraft Heard Over Johor Not In M'sian Airspace, Says PM

PENANG, March 17 (Bernama) -- A preliminary probe indicated that an unidentified aircraft reported to have been circling in the airspace over Gelang Patah in Johor two days ago was actually outside Malaysian airspace, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.

He said the findings of the initial investigation obtained from the police, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Defence Ministry showed that the aircraft was in the airspace of neighbouring Singapore.

"The aircraft was most probably Singapore's and it was not in Malaysian airspace," he told reporters after opening the Northern Region Marine Police Base in Batu Uban, here.

Abdullah, who is also Minister of Internal Security, said the aircraft was circling an area not far from the Johor coast, and its drone seemed to come from somewhere close owing to Johor's proximity to Singapore.

When asked what could have been the motive of the aircraft, he said that the plane was not in Malaysian airspace and it was therefore unnecessary to determine the motive.

Two days ago, the residents of Gelang Patah had complained of the persistent drone of an unidentified aircraft circling in the airspace over their villagers, and the government initiated a probe.

In KUCHING, Chief of Defence Forces Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said the whole process of the investigation was expected to be completed in a week.

Speaking to reporters after opening a 1st Division community rehabilitation centre here, he said the investigation was launched with interviews of eye-witnesses and ascertaining their location at the time they spotted the plane.

Mohd Anwar said the probe would ascertain whether the mystery aircraft was actually in Malaysian airspace or that of Singapore in view of the proximity of the two countries.

He also said that the armed forces would open more community rehabilitation centres at army camps in the country to help handicapped or special children of soldiers to get an education.

-- BERNAMA

praetor81 SG

They come in pieces

kotay SG

Well that's that settled then ... nice speculation all.

Just some comments on the speculations put forward (I know this is in hindsight) ...

(1) It can't be an ultra-light as the reported aircraft is Grey. Ultra-lights are usually colourful.
(2) It won't be a civilian craft as these are almost always never Grey. Dirty White maybe but not Grey. Grey aircrafts are almost always military.
(3) It won't be a jet as the complaint was of a droning sound ... ie. Props.

The one anomaly is that Gelang Patah is hardly 500m from the border, more like 5km. However Kampung Tebing Runtoh is 500m from the border. Look at the map, faint letters just under Bandar Nusajaya. A bit of creative reporting perhaps? Making the incursion seem further inland than it is.

Kampung Tebing Runtoh is also conveniently opposite our training area. They are most probably being bothered by our UAVs. Heck, even our own troops get cheesed off by the droning of our UAVs. Smile

BTW, not trying to offend, but if you see something it's "visually", if you hear it ... "aurally".

tankee1981 SG

Thanks kotay...btw can you blow up the map a bit beacuse its really very hard to see the fine print...thanks Very Happy

sgf SG

Well as Najib admitted, it wasn't even in their air space.

If it WAS in their airspace, it'll be indeed a joke that their radar didn't pick it up in the first place. Rolling Eyes

tvdog SG

A statement from a politician is usually a calculated one. Badawi, unlike Mahartir (spelling?) is a bit more of a peacemaker. So it is entirely possible that some diplomatic exchanges with Singapore were made before that statement was issued.

If it indeed was an incursion by Singapore, then Badawi did the smart thing by first issuing a statement to prevent further public outcry in MY and then make private protest to the SG government not to make such further probes.

If droning was reported, then jet fighter can be ruled out. And from their description it didn't sound like a light aircraft either. So it could very well be some overly enthusiatic SAF guy operating a UAV.

It is easy to speculate that Singapore will want to test UAVs in aerial recce of Johore coast if nothing else to test its "stealth" qualitites. Well, the test has proven that UAVs are easily detectable by civilians if not by radar.

Is it unusual that Singapore does intelligence gathering? Not at all. In fact, even Australia had protested in the past about Singapore's spying activites. That Malaysia could be a potential adversary - and a very nearby one - just make the spying even more intense.

warspite SG

Well, it could have been the Hermes 450 UAV that they saw. I had seen it flying last week while doing my ICT in the Lim Chu Kang area. Smile

RSAF had probably tested it out after its display in AA2006.

nWo SG

Source: Utusan Malaysia Online

Dalam Negeri

Pesawat misteri dikenal pasti milik Singapura buatan Israel

IMEJ gambar pesawat tanpa pemandu yang berlegar dekat Johor Bahru, kelmarin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOHOR BAHRU 17 Mac - Pesawat tidak dikenali yang dilapor berlegar di ruang udara Gelang Patah dekat sini seperti disiarkan akhbar semalam, dikenali pasti sebagai pesawat peninjau tanpa pemandu (UAV) buatan Israel milik Tentera Udara Republik Singapura, kata seorang penganalisis pertahanan.

``Ia jenis Searcher UAV buatan syarikat Israel Aircraft Industries. Ia bukan sesuatu yang rahsia, Singapura menggunakannya sejak dari 1998,'' kata penganalisis itu yang enggan namanya disiarkan.

Bernama difahamkan, operasi pesawat UAV terbabit dijalankan oleh Skuadron 40 Tentera Udara Republik Singapura yang berpangkalan di Kem Murai, tidak jauh dari sempadan dengan Malaysia.

Kehadiran pesawat itu menimbulkan keresahan penduduk Gelang Patah kerana menyebabkan bunyi bising ``hinggakan nelayan pun tidak dapat menangkap ikan''.

Laman web Kementerian Pertahanan Singapura menyebut ia menggunakan UAV jenis Searcher yang berupaya beroperasi sejauh 100 kilometer dari pangkalannya dan selama lapan jam tanpa henti.

Republik itu dilaporkan mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya 40 pesawat jenis itu.

Mengulas isu itu, Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong-Penyokong Kerajaan Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, berkata negara jiran perlu memaklumkan kepada Malaysia mengenai operasi pesawat tentera mereka terutama yang berhampiran kawasan sempadan bagi mengelak rasa curiga dan bimbang di kalangan penduduk tempatan.

Katanya, tindakan memaklumkan tentang kehadiran dan operasi pesawat tentera negara jiran bukan sahaja akan membantu mengelak kekeliruan tetapi juga selaras dengan amalan berbaik-baik antara dua negara jiran yang rapat.

``Walaupun kehadiran pesawat terbabit adalah untuk mengawal sempadan atau mengelak kemasukan secara haram pendatang asing, mereka (negara jiran) patut membuat kenyataan dan memberitahu Malaysia (tentang kehadiran pesawat itu).''

``Apabila pihak berkuasa negara ini tahu mengenainya, mereka boleh menjelaskannya kepada penduduk tempatan agar tiada kekeliruan dan rasa curiga di kalangan mereka,'' katanya kepada Bernama di sini hari ini.

Shahrir berkata, apa yang berlaku di Gelang Patah adalah akibat kegagalan Singapura memaklumkan kepada Malaysia tentang kehadiran pesawat itu sehingga mengakibatkan keresahan di kalangan penduduk tempatan.

- Bernama

spartan6 SG

Hmmm i cant read malay Embarassed

sgFish SG

all i can see is Israeli, Searcher, and a pic of a UAV. doesn't that say enough Mr. Green

nWo SG

Source: MINDEF

Searcher Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Dimensions
Length: 5.00 m
Wing Span: 7.60 m

Performance
Max Speed: 60 kts
Endurance: 8 hrs
Range: 100 km

The Searcher Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is one of the system operated by the Tactical Air Support Command (TASC). It replaces the older UAV employed for providing real-time airborne reconnaissance and surveillance to SAF ground commanders to survey the battlefield without risking human lives. The older UAV was being used since the late 1980s.

The aircraft is fitted with a small piston engine. Measuring 5 meters in length, it has a wingspan of 7.6 meters. Similar to the older UAV, the Searcher UAV has a control range of up to 100 km, and being bigger, it can carry enough fuel to fly up to 8 hours. The aircraft is made of fiberglass with composite material to reduce radar and infra-red signatures which make them more difficult to detect.

The Searcher UAV utilises a Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation, which enables it to fly accurately based on a pre-determined route. It also has many automated features, and multiple system redundancies for enhanced flight safety and reliability.

Like the older system, it is operated from a ground control station (GCS). Flight information and real time video images are sent from the UAV to the GCS through radio links. The video image is displayed on a television monitor in real time.

The Searcher UAV is used to detect details on the ground such as enemy troops and vehicles. The battlefield commander will be able to have more reaction time and take countermeasures against the enemy's operations with the real-time information provided. The Searcher UAV can provide battlefield surveillance even in high risk areas without risking the loss of personnel. It is a cost-effective means as it is only a fraction of the cost of a manned aircraft.

The UAV Training Simulator

The UAV Training Simulator is the latest trainer simulator system acquired by the RSAF. It is capable of simulating UAV take-off, flying and landing with realistic environmental settings. This allows for effective training of UAV operators in a controlled environment. It will complement actual UAV training in Singapore where the scope is very limited in view of the constraints of local training airspace. A major advantage offered by the training Simulator is that it enables the RSAF to overcome the problem of limited flying airspace in Singapore for UAV training. Additionally, training in the simulator reduces training costs.

spartan6 SG

Hmmm i tought we r using searcher 2 Neutral

lwflee SG

Hmmm max altitude is 5.2 kliks, or about 15000 ft. Anyone knows if that is very high and if it still is aurrally detectable at 15000ft?

tripwire SG

you cant hear it, i can vouch for that.. seen it operate with above my units before.

nWo SG

Source: Bernama via Alert5

March 18, 2006 18:58 PM

M'sia Planning To Procure UAV, Says Army Chief

ARMY CHIEF GEN DATUK SERI ABD AZIZ ZAINAL The procurement of UAVs would complete the defence assets of the army. Filepix: Noriani Ahmad

JOHOR BAHARU, March 18 (Bernama) -- The army has plans to procure Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), said army chief Gen. Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Zainal.

Abdul Aziz said the procurement would complete the defence assets of the army.

"We' ve yet to own this aircraft. We are still in the planning stages in procuring the aircraft as part of our assets," he told reporters after attending the Passing Out Parade of the General Role Graduate Officers, Series 21/2005, at the Army College, Ulu Tiram, near here.

Also present was the deputy army chief Lt. Gen. Datuk Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin and army field commander, Lt Gen Datuk Masood Zainal Abidin.

Gen. Abdul Aziz said this when asked on the UAV, believed to be owned by the Singapore Armed Forces, that was sighted in Gelang Patah, Johor.

The UAV is an unmanned aircraft that is used for aerial reconnaissance and can stay airborne up to eight hours.

Meanwhile, Gen. Abdul Aziz said the investigations on the Allouette III that crashed at the Mahkota Camp in Kluang on Feb 20 would be ready by next week.

The helicopter from the 881 Squadron of the Army Air Team crashed onto the tarmac at the base during a training exercise but all the three crew on board survived.

-- BERNAMA

fudgester SG

I'll translate the article as best as I can. Here goes:

'The unidentified aircraft which was reported hovering over the outskirts of the airspace of Gelang Patah as was reported in yesterday's news has been positively identified as an Israeli-made UAV, property of the Singapore Armed Forces, according to a defence analyst.

"It is a type of UAV made by the Israel Aircraft Industries. It's not something classified, and Singapore has been using it since 1998", said the analyst who declined to be named.

As Bernama understands, the operation of the UAV was carried out by 40th Squadron of the RSAF based in Murai Camp, not far from the border with Malaysia (PS to moderators: is this classified? )

The presence of the aircraft caused agitation among the residents of Gelang Patah as it create noise to the level that 'fishermen could not catch their fish'.

The MINDEF website mentions that it uses 'Searcher' UAVs which can operate up to a range of 100km from its base for up to eight hours non-stop.

The Republic is reported to own at least 40 aircraft of that type.

Commenting on the issue, the chairman of the Government Supporters' Club Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said that neighbouring countries are expected to to inform Malaysia about the operation of military aircraft especially when it is conducted near the border in order to avoid any agitation or panic in the residential areas.

According to him, such a move to announce the presence and peration of military aircraft does not only help resolve any misunderstandings which might arise but is also in line with good neighbourly practices.

"Even if the presence of the aircraft is to guard the borders or to deter illegal immigrants, they (the neighbouring country) should release statements and inform Malaysia (about the presence of the aircraft)."

"When the authorities of this country knows about it, they can explain the situation to the residents to clear up any misunderstandings or agitation among them", he said to Bernama here today.

Sharir said that what happened at Gelang Patah is the result of the Singapore's failure to inform Malaysia about the presence of the aircraft until it led to the state of agitation among the local residents.

- Bernama'

There.... that's the best I could do to translate it. Any other Malay forummites here, feel free to correct any mistakes I made.

And to the moderators: take note of the comments I put in bold.

Tired and hungry from all that translating. Time for lunch. Mr. Green

cairocks SG

Humm...that picture can't prove anything. One could have drove over to Singapore by the second link, go to LCK cemetary, wait for an UAV or any RSAF planes to fly pass, snap a picture and go back to malaysia. All done within an hour. And claim that a Singapore aircraft had intruded their airspace. Who can prove the blue sky in the background as Singapore or Malaysian airspace?

lionnoisy SG

March 18, 2006 ----Yesterday the Prime Minister clarified that initial investigations by the police and the Defence Ministry found the aircraft was still within Singapore's airspace.

fr the story:''Consensus On M'sia-S'pore Issues To Be Ironed Out At Technical Meeting'',GENERAL

sbst275 SG

Unidentified Aircraft Heard Over Johor Not In M'sian Airspace, Says PM

PENANG, March 17 (Bernama) -- A preliminary probe indicated that an unidentified aircraft reported to have been circling in the airspace over Gelang Patah in Johor two days ago was actually outside Malaysian airspace, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.

He said the findings of the initial investigation obtained from the police, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Defence Ministry showed that the aircraft was in the airspace of neighbouring Singapore.

"The aircraft was most probably Singapore's and it was not in Malaysian airspace," he told reporters after opening the Northern Region Marine Police Base in Batu Uban, here.

Abdullah, who is also Minister of Internal Security, said the aircraft was circling an area not far from the Johor coast, and its drone seemed to come from somewhere close owing to Johor's proximity to Singapore.

When asked what could have been the motive of the aircraft, he said that the plane was not in Malaysian airspace and it was therefore unnecessary to determine the motive.

Two days ago, the residents of Gelang Patah had complained of the persistent drone of an unidentified aircraft circling in the airspace over their villagers, and the government initiated a probe.

In KUCHING, Chief of Defence Forces Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said the whole process of the investigation was expected to be completed in a week.

Speaking to reporters after opening a 1st Division community rehabilitation centre here, he said the investigation was launched with interviews of eye-witnesses and ascertaining their location at the time they spotted the plane.

Mohd Anwar said the probe would ascertain whether the mystery aircraft was actually in Malaysian airspace or that of Singapore in view of the proximity of the two countries.

He also said that the armed forces would open more community rehabilitation centres at army camps in the country to help handicapped or special children of soldiers to get an education.

-- BERNAMA

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