Thales Shows Rapid Ranger Configuration of Starstreak of TDM

21 April 2018

Starstreak Rapid Ranger configuration (photo : Shephard)

Thales, in conjunction with local partner Global Komited (a Weststar subsidiary), exhibited a Starstreak very short-range air defence system mounted on a URO Vamtac 4x4 vehicle at the DSA 2018 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

The system, in the Rapid Ranger configuration, is currently being delivered to the Malaysian Armed Forces. Shephard understands that six such Rapid Ranger systems were ordered. Each has four ready-to-launch missiles, plus additional Starstreak missiles are stored in the rear of the Vamtac.

A crew of three operates the Rapid Ranger – the commander, driver and missile operator. While the Rapid Ranger can operate autonomously, it can also be cued from a vehicle-mounted Thales Ground Master 200 radar installed on a 7m mast. The radar will be delivered ‘soon’ to complete the programme.

Malaysia also acquired the Lightweight Multiple Launcher - Next Generation (LML-NG), which features three Starstreak missiles ready to launch, as part of its 2015 order worth approximately $130 million.

Starstreak LML on tactical vehicle configuration (photo : Malaysian Defence)

Thomas Pistre, Malaysia country director for Thales, explained that Starstreak is a joint procurement between the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), and he said the programme is ‘completely on track’.

Pistre said Thales had been present in Malaysia for 40 years and had a significant installed base, including a joint venture with Sapura that focuses on communications. Indeed, all new communication systems for the Malaysian Army are being supplied by Sapura, which also exports to places like Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

On the six new 3,100t Littoral Combat Ships being built by Boustead for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Thales will supply the SMART-S Mk2 surveillance radar, SATCOM link, Vigile electronic support measures and CAPTAS-2 sonar.

On the RMN’s six Kedah-class New Generation Patrol Vessels that were commissioned from 2006-10, Thales provided the Sceptre-X electronic support measures suite and communications.

The RMAF has been operating a single Ground Master 400 radar in Kuching, Sarawak for a couple of years, but Pistre believes Malaysia will need more radars in the future.

Damocles targeting pods are fitted on RMAF Su-30MKM fighters, and last week trials for laser-guided rockets on Hawk and F/A-18 aircraft were completed. New FZ220 composite launchers will be installed on the army’s awaited MD 530G scout helicopters.

Three Fulmar X UAVs are now operational on those New Generation Patrol Craft already handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) while a fourth is in transit and two more are awaited. 

Starstreak Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML) (photo : Malaysian Defence)

Pistre said the Fulmar X is invaluable for catching illegal fishermen, which poach 3 billion ringgits’ worth of fish annually. These unseen UAVs can catch offenders red-handed, and legal issues of using such imagery in court prosecutions are now being worked through.

At the moment it appears that the MMEA’s three new offshore patrol vessels will not be equipped with UAVs.

Additionally, Thales has a significant input into the AV8 armoured vehicle programme. The company’s AS 4000 fire control solution will also accompany the recently announced acquisition of LG1 105mm towed howitzers from Nexter.

Pistre also mentioned Malaysia’s plan to buy new maritime patrol aircraft, for which it believes the AMASCOS mission system is an ideal solution. Pundits believe the ATR 72 and Airbus C295 are currently the top contenders for this requirement.

The company’s AMASCOS mission system is presently installed on just one RMAF King Air B200T aircraft, but there are plans to migrate it onto another legacy aircraft platform possessing a longer range.

Finally, Thales Australia exhibited its Bushmaster MR6 at DSA 2018 as well. The vehicle is making its way home to Australia after participating in trials in the UK for the Multi-Role Vehicle Protected programme.

(Shephard)