Malaysia considers options to resolve delays on Littoral Combat Ship program

Launching of 1st ship of the class, the Maharaja Lela (2501) in 2017. The ship remains uncompleted. Photo c/o RMN.

The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has started to consider options on salvaging the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), as delays continue to hamper completion of even 1 ship.

According to Defense Minister Datuk Sari Ismail Sabri Yaacob, none of the six LCS vessesls ordered from Malaysian shipbuilder Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNSSB) has been completed, and has logged a delay of 31.1 months for the entire project.

He also said that the MINDEF would not provide additional funding to the project anymore, and would only allow the use of the remaining contract ceiling should additional funding be needed.

Among the options of MINDEF that will be presented to the Cabinet are:

1. Appointing France's Naval Group (NG), which is currently the design authority of the project, as a rescue contractor through a deed of assignment with BNSSB, and using the remaining contract ceiling to complete the construction of the first 2 ships;

2. Allow the project to continue with BNSSB, while using the remaining contract ceiling to complete the first 2 ships;

3. Cancel the contract with BNSSB, and allow MINDEF to make efforts to save the project.

An option to save BNSSB from debt is also out of the options, although the Malaysian government is willing to pay for the design rights. It would also claim the completed blocks of ships and all equipment purchased by BNSSB using government funding.

So far, LCS 1 is 59.79% complete, LCS 2 at 48.09%, LCS 3 at 43.75%, LCS 4 at 36.49%, LCS 5 at 20%, and LCS 6 has not been started.

The LCS is planned to be the most capable surface warfare assets of the RMN, equivalent to frigates and will be equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems, including the Kongsberg Naval Strike anti-ship missiles and MBDA VL-Mica air defense missiles.

The ship will displace at around 3,100 tons, has a length of 111 meters, a beam of 16 meters, and are powered by 4 MTU diesel engines in Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) configuration allowing a maximum speed of 28 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.


[1] Bernama
[2] Jane's