Aselsan's RCWS systems for new Malaysian Offshore Patrol Vessels.

Remotely Controlled Weapon Systems designed and produced by ASELSAN of Turkey will continue to be in service of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the company said on February 23, 2018.

A MMEA OPV
(Credit: Malaysian Coast Guard)

The defense system solutions provider of Turkey, ASELSAN, has signed a contract with a Malaysian shipyard in scope of her 30mm SMASH Remote Controlled Weapon System, High Accuracy Stabilized Gimbal (HASG) and Pintle Mounted 12.7mm Machine Gun to be integrated on new Offshore Patrol Vessels of the MMEA.

The delivery of the systems will be completed between 2019-2020.

As of today, ASELSAN products and systems have been exported to 60 countries worldwide, including some EU and NATO member countries. ASELSAN Remote Controlled Weapon Systems are in use of fourteen countries worldwide. The recent contract stands as an indication that, the delivery of ASELSAN Remote Controlled Weapon Systems to Southeast Asian countries will continue in the upcoming years.

ASELSAN's weapon system is a remotely controlled and stabilized pedestal with an independent electro optic suite consisting of thermal camera, day TV camera and laser range finder. The system has automatic target detection / tracking capabilities as well as night operation under harsh weather and terrain conditions. The main function of the system is better locating and tracking (automatic when desired) the target as well as maximizing the hit accuracy while providing maximum security for the gunner.

Due to the stabilization feature, the system can perform precise firings against stationary or moving targets while the platform is on-the-move. This shoot-on-the-move capability has vital importance for crew survivability, especially when faced with multiple armed adversaries shooting from different directions.

The system can be automatically slewed onto targets assigned by a command control system. It's advanced fire control computer incorporating sophisticated algorithms maximizes the hit probability of the system.

As per the commitment of ASELSAN of Turkey, on technology and know-how transfer to Malaysia, National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), Malaysian Industry-Goverment Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and ASELSAN MALAYSIA Sdn. Bhd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 February 2018. The parties agreed on the local development of Remote Controlled Weapon Systems in Malaysia and the co-development of R&D programs that are to be determined.

ASELSAN MALAYSIA SDN. BHD., which is %100 owned by ASELSAN, established in 2017 with the purpose of local production of Remote Controlled Stabilized Weapon Systems and act as a hub for sales, after-sales and R&D activities. In this context, the local 30mm SMASH System assembly, integration and tests were the first steps of ASELSAN MALAYSIA SDN. BHD. and the company targets to make further investment in Malaysia for the serial production and R&D.

The Remotely Controlled Weapon Systems designed and produced by ASELSAN will continue to be in service of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) at MMEA's new Offshore Patrol Vessels. On 22 February 2018 ASELSAN has signed a contract with a Malaysian shipyard in scope of her 30mm SMASH Remote Controlled Weapon System, High Accuracy Stabilized Gimbal (HASG) and Pintle Mounted 12.7mm Machine Gun to be integrated on new Offshore Patrol Vessels of the MMEA. The delivery of the systems will be completed between 2019-2020.