LIMA 2023: Naval Group Presents SISTELA Naval Combat Management System
Naval Group presented its SISTELA naval combat management system at the 2023 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.
According to a Naval Group representative, SISTELA is a development of the SETIS combat management system supplied for Malaysia’s Littoral Combat Ships. Compared to SETIS, SISTELA has been adapted to better meet the Royal Malaysian Navy’s operational requirements, with all system development conducted by Naval Group’s Malaysian branch.
Naval Group is offering SISTELA for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Next Generation Patrol Vessel and Fast Attack Craft programs, and as an upgrade solution for future upgrades to the Navy’s Lekiu-class frigates and Laksamana-class corvettes. Naval Group’s display at LIMA featured two simulated SISTELA stations, alongside models of the Malaysian Littoral Combat Ship and Scorpene attack submarine. Two Scorpenes are currently in Malaysian service as the Prime Minister class of submarines, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Razak.
When asked about the current status of Naval Group’s involvement with the Littoral Combat Ship program, the representative stated that the company’s priority was the completion of the troubled program. According to the representative, Naval Group is continuing its offers to take over more program work from shipbuilders Boustead Naval Shipbuilding (BNS), expanding its role from providing the basic and detailed designs of the frigates. The Littoral Combat Ship is based on an expanded version of Naval Group’s Gowind-class corvette design.
Aside from SISTELA and the Littoral Combat Ship program, Naval Group has made several proposals for modernization of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s older ships, including supplying systems for the Obsolescence Program ship rebuilding and rehulling programs, although a company representative noted that the company is still awaiting responses to its offers.
Naval Group’s Malaysian branch has been in operation since 2013, supporting design work for the Littoral Combat Ship program. A separate joint venture with Boustead Heavy Industries (BNS’ parent company), Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation Sdn. Bhd., has been responsible for developing Malaysian capabilities to support and refit the Malaysian Scorpenes.