Malaysia to receive 2 new 69-meter Littoral Mission Ships from China by year-end

A CGI of the Littoral Mission Ship of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Photo c/o Baird Maritime.

In a recent speech by the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy's Admiral Datok Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, he confirmed that the service will be receiving their first two Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) from China before the end of 2019.

Adm. Mohd Reza also confirmed that both ships will be assigned in the Eastern Fleet, which oversee naval operations around the Sarawak and Sabah states.

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) ordered four Littoral Mission Ships from China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Co. Ltd. (CSOIC) based on a 69-meter long design. The first two ships are being built in China by Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, while the remaining two ships will be built in Malaysia by Boustead Naval Shipyard. The RMN plans to acquire up to 18 units of the class as part of their 15-to-5 Fleet Modernization Plan.

The LMS will be 69 meters long, displacing 710 tons, and powered by diesel engines with a maximum speed of 23 knots, a range of 2,000 nautical miles, and an endurance of 15 days. It would be armed with two 30mm guns, several 12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns, and are fitted for future installation of missiles, torpedoes, and mines. It also has space to carry up to 3 ISO standard mission module containers to allow different mission profiles.



[1] Air Times News Network
[2] Malaysia Defence
[3] Navy Recognition