Malaysia looks forward to construct 8 Batch-II Littoral Mission Ships within 2 years

One of the Batch I LMS Keris-class ship, the KD Rencong (114). Photo c/o RMN.



The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has high hopes that it could award a contract for its planned Batch-II Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) soon, to enable the construction of the ships between years 2022 and 2023.

RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Sany has confirmed that the service has been working to reach its goals to implement the construction of Batch-II LMS, which is yet to be awarded to a competing shipbuilder.

The RMN has successfully procured 4 new Batch-I LMS, now known as the Keris-class, which were built in China and has been delivered in 2021, and the last ship of the class commissioned in January 2022.

Originally, local shipyard Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC) was suppose to build 2 of the ships, but the contract was revised by the Malaysian Government to reduce the project cost by having all 4 ships built by Wuchang Shipbuilding in China.

Asia Pacific Defense Journal reported back in September 2020 that the RMN received at least 5 proposals, which includes Germany’s Fassmer, American shipbuilder Swiftships, Dutch shipbuilder Damen, a joint venture between Malaysian company Destini and Damen, and another Malaysian company Preston. 
Fassmer offered a 70.2-meter design, while Swiftships offered a 70.7-meter long, 11.3-meter wide patrol vessel design based on their current line-up that can be armed with a 40mm cannon.

The Batch-II LMS will be funded under the 12th Malaysia Plan covering years 2021 to 2025, and is expected to allow the RMN to increase its capability to patrol and defend its maritime borders and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The LMS was identified as one of the major requirements of the RMN under its “15 to 5 Transformation Program” which aims to cut the number of ship classes in RMN from 15 to just 5 by 2040.

Also planned for procurement are 13 Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC), which will be used for maritime policing against illegal migrants and piracy.





Malaysia looks forward to construct 8 Batch-II Littoral Mission Ships within 2 years Malaysia looks forward to construct 8 Batch-II Littoral Mission Ships within 2 years Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on February 02, 2022 Rating: 5

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