Malaysia test-fires new multiple rocket system
Army chief says the expansion of nation's modern weapons arsenal is
not an attempt to establish an offensive military capability
LUMUT (Perak) - Malaysia has test-fired its newly acquired multiple
rocket launching system, which has been touted as a new addition to
its deterrent defence capability, at a cost of RM17 million (S$7.8
million).
The Malaysian army fired a total of 48 live rockets towards a
designated sea area about 80 km from the launching site in Tanjung
Hantu near Lumut on Thursday.
The event was held in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the
army which was celebrated on March 1.
The test was done to ascertain the handling by the local personnel
of the system newly-acquired from Avibras Aerospacial, based in
Brazil.
The demonstration involved the firing of 24, 300-mm SS-60 rockets
and 24, 300-mm SS-80 rockets into the sea.
The 300-mm SS-60 rockets have a range of 60 km, while the 300-mm
SS-80 rockets have a range of up to 89 km.
Known as the ASTROS II or Artillery Saturation Rocket System, the
multiple rocket launching system was acquired by Malaysia in
October last year to enhance its surface-to-surface combat
missions.
Speaking to reporters after the test, army chief Wira Mohamed
Shahrom Nordin said Malaysia's expansion of its modern weapons
system should not be interpreted as an attempt to establish
pre-emptive or offensive military capability.
He said the purchase of new weapons systems was part of the armed
forces move to equip themselves with 'deterrent defence
capabilities' in the face of mounting threats and uncertainties in
global security.
'Of course, our recent purchases have been more artillery weaponry
for ground and air defence to increase our military capabilities,
but due to recent political developments in the region, the move
has been generally misunderstood.'
The army chief said the armed forces would continue to expand their
'deterrent defence capabilities' in the coming years by purchasing
powerful weapons such as the IGLA, ANZA and JERNAS air defence
missile system and domestic warning radar system.
General Shahrom said the purchase of more lethal and accurate
weapons systems was important to ensure the army - the backbone of
the country's defence - and other units of the armed forces are
well equipped in every combat mission in the future.
He said the army was preparing an infrastructure development
framework to organise the distribution of the acquired and
soon-to-be-acquired weapons systems to each unit under its
wing.
The event was also attended by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan
Ismail Petra, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Artillery
Regiment and Raja Perempuan Kelantan Tengku Anis.--New Straits
Times, TheStar/Asia News Network
