Malaysia plans to acquire 13 more indigenous Fast Interceptor Crafts
One of the six active FIC of the RMN. Photo c/o Malaysian MOD. |
The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced its plans to acquire at least 13 additional Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
The boats are expected to be worth more than MYR120 million (US$29.25 million) and will be used for border patrol.
Malaysian Senior Minister on Defence, Dato Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was in RMN’s Lumut Naval Base in Perak on 26 April 2021 to witness a demonstration of the new FIC’s capabilities.
According to the Senior Minister on Defence, the RMN has already received six units with a total worth of MYR80 million (US$19.50 million) which were delivered to the service on 19 March 2021 as part of the Operation Benteng (Op Benteng) to secure borders from illegal immigrants.
The FIC boats were built by Gading Marine Industry Sdn Bhd, and were assigned with the RMN’s Fast Combat Boat (FCB) Squadron and are able to provide surveillance and interdiction capabilities in littoral waters.
The new FIC, which are based on the G2000 FIC 18M design from Gading Marine, will be slightly larger than the CB-90 at 18 meters long and 4.6 meters wide, are equipped with an electro-optical tracking system (EOTS), and are powered by two MAN 1550 diesel engines propelling two Hamilton Jet HM 461 water jets.
The boats are expected to replace the RMN’s ageing fleet of Swedish-built CB-90 fast assault boats.
[1] Malaysian Ministry of Defence
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal
No comments