New provocation from Singapore ..and Malaysia do nothing ...
Apache Prowler
Posted on
December 28, 2018by
hafizuddinsulaiman
Many might have missed a footage by TV3 during the coronation ceremony of His Majesty the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on March 23, 2015 where a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter was caught shadowing a chartered news helicopter which was tasked to provide aerial coverage of the Sultan’s motorcade along the Straits of Tebrau facing Singapore.
When a Malaysian Marine Department’s vessel MV Polaris sit firm at its location near the maritime boundary of Singapore, another Apache was seen ‘keeping’ an eye on the Malaysian vessel.
Unknown to many, the RSAF has been employing its 12 Apaches based at Sembawang Airbase as part of Air Defence Task Force established by the city state in 2010. As one article written by Mike Yeo and published in Defence News described the Task Force,
as part of the Singapore military’s high-readiness core to monitor its skies as well as respond swiftly and decisively against potential air threats day and night. It leverages cross-domain and cross-function capabilities, such as the Air Force’s suite of sensors, flying platforms and ground-based air defense systems within a networked, integrated air defense system that operates around the clock.
The article further explains,
The decision to utilize the Apache in such a role was driven in part by the advantages that the slower Apache has at certain flight regimes, namely against “low and slow” targets such as light aircraft or UAVs; fast jet interceptors may have difficulty keeping station and maintaining visual contact.
Should the need arise, targets can be engaged with the Apache’s Orbital ATK M230 Chain Gun. The Apache crew declined to confirm if aerial targets could be detected and cued with the Lockheed Martin-Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar, although the radar product card says that it is able to search, detect, locate, classify and prioritize “multiple moving and stationary targets on land, air, and water in all weather and battlefield conditions.”
Situation could escalate to the worse had the Malaysians decided to send its AgustaWestland A109LUH helicopter to shadow the Singaporean aircraft. Operated by the Malaysian Army’s No 881 Skn out of Kluang Army Airfield just few minutes flight upnorth, the Agusta is equipped with M134 Gatling gun. Unfortunately with ‘soft skin’ and door mounted gun, it is no match for the Singaporean Apache.
Clearly, the Malaysian Army is in great need for a full fledged attack helicopter not only to support its armoured units but also to provide air policing along the Straits of Johor. It is not like the Malaysians did not have any offer for attack helicopters. As early as 2013, the Malaysians have been offered Airbus Helicopters Tiger HAP attack helicopter at very attractive package. Instead, the MD-530G was selected and six of these have yet to arrive in Malaysian shores despite orders being made since 2016.
The Apache incident was nothing new in Malaysia-Singapore maritime row that previously include claims by both country on Pedra Branca islet. An image of RSAF AS-332 Super Puma helicopter was captured by a Malaysian news entourage in 2002 on-board a Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) patrol boat while sailing near the islet. A decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague in 2008 gave the sovereign right of Pedra Branca to Singapore.