Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) update

[Ananda]

Malaysia Inks LOA to Procure Turkish Corvettes for LMS Batch 2 project - Naval News

The Turkish SSB received a letter of acceptance for the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch 2 Project which will be procured for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

www.navalnews.com

Yesterday, Malaysia officialy ink the LoA as part of procurement of 3 LMS2 base on Turkiye corvette Milgem Ada class. As the article (base on previous Xavier video), shown the basic differences with Ada class is existence of 4 VLS cells. Naval News quite certaint that the each VLS will be quad pack with ROK Haegung VL SAM. However seems some Malaysian online enthusiasts not quite certaint on SAM selection yet. Malaysian defense Marhalim still put question mark on SAM choice yet.

LMS2 will be build all 3 of them by Turkiye yard. Not surprising as LUNAS yard still full on the contract with LCS work (together with Naval Group). Putting the contract with Turkiye yard also shown Malaysia now want more predictable time table.

 

[koxinga]

More details released by STM. Only the SAM is unconfirmed.

Interesting they went back to 76mm for the main gun, given the preference for 57mm Bofors for the LCS project and the earlier Lekiu class. Mostly Turkish equipment.

The delivery dates are also aggressive and it means they get the hulls early, while the LCS project is still on-going (timeline wise, 2027 means only 2/3 LCS will be delivered, if they don't screw up again)

 

[Ananda]

After Completing Refit, RMN Receives KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin Back Into Service - Defence Security Asia

After nearly three years of undergoing refit work, the KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin from the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) 24th Corvette Squadron has finally been handed back to the RMN.

defencesecurityasia.com

Back in the Fleet, Part 2 - Malaysian Defence

SHAH ALAM: As reported previously, KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin – pennant number 136 – has been delivered to the RMN after undertaking an extensive 32-month refit at the Grade One Marine Shipyard Sdn Bhd, Lumut. Grade One Marine finally posted on the handing over today on its Facebook page though...

www.malaysiandefence.com

TLDM (Malaysian Navy) complete refit on one of their Fincantieri Light Corvette Laksamana Class. The refit seems more focus re-hull and re-powering. Marhalim blog Malaysian Defense shown indication that they're not changing the weapons systems and sensors. I also don't find other source that shown changes on that area.

Thus seems in my perspective, it is more on TLDM effort to take stop gap measure to keep the light Corvette class operational for several years more, until they can get budget for replacement. Something that their neighbors like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and in smaller sides Philippines done. Only Singapore so far in ASEAN that have enough budget to replace all of their assets within timed schedule. The rest seems has to balance between replacement and refurbishment.

 

[koxinga]

No loss of life, but this will concern RMN given she was refitted recently (2020) and hulls are in short supply now

Navy ship KD Pendekar experiencing 'severe flooding', focus now on salvage ops

JOHOR BARU: The Royal Malaysian Navy vessel, KD Pendekar, has experienced "severe flooding" following a leak at approximately noon on Sunday (Aug 25).

www.thestar.com.my

 

[Ananda]

Malaysia Defense Minister say in media interview that the accident on KD Pendekar, will prompt the government to speed up replacement process for old ships. The program he is talking is LCS and LMS. Still this is already current program, means don't see how they are going to speed up the process in replacing obsolescence ships.

Thus I don't see any other way then they have to rellied on refurbishment on existing assets. As the accident involved hitting some underwater object on practically litoral waters, it is remind me on similar accident with Indonesian Navy Parchim Corvette KRI Pati Unus 8 years ago in 2016. The Corvette that time hit some underwater shipwreck near Belawan harbour entrance line.

Same thing at that time, Indonesian MinDef officials told media they will speed up replacement program. However in the end has to relied more with refurbishment program, as replacement takes more time and budget. Thus I don't see Malaysian MinDef can do more on the case of obsolescence assets, asside to increase pace of refurbishment also.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

No loss of life, but this will concern RMN given she was refitted recently (2020) and hulls are in short supply now

Navy ship KD Pendekar experiencing 'severe flooding', focus now on salvage ops

JOHOR BARU: The Royal Malaysian Navy vessel, KD Pendekar, has experienced "severe flooding" following a leak at approximately noon on Sunday (Aug 25).

www.thestar.com.my

According to this article, this accident was not caused because of age, but something struck the fuselage.
Here some more images.

Maleisisch marineschip raakt object en zinkt

KD Pendekar in Zuid-Chinese Zee gezonken

marineschepen.nl

Luckily there are no casualties, and it is an old vessel.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Malaysia's Coast Guard will receive the former United States Coast Guard cutter USCGS Steadfast by year's end.

The USCG decommissioned the Steadfast on 1 February 2024 after 56 years of service, but the condition seems to be good enough to continue operations with the Malaysian Coast Guard after refurbishment.

Malaysia's Coast Guard To Receive Former USCGS Steadfast By Year's End - Naval News

Malaysia's Coast Guard will receive the former United States Coast Guard cutter USCGS Steadfast by year's end.

www.navalnews.com

Boustead Naval Shipbuilding, now operating as Lumut Naval Shipyard following its purchase by the Ministry of Finance, has completed the LCS detailed design work, and has handed over now the completed design to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The completion of detailed design work comes as LCS 1 Maharaja Lela is being fitted out for builder’s trials scheduled to begin in November. The handover of the detailed design will facilitate the completion of the first-in-class frigate’s fitting out, which has been underway since it was “downslipped” in May and moved to a pier.

Under the new schedule for the program, harbor acceptance tests for LCS 1 Maharaja Lela will begin in November 2024. Should the trials go as planned, sea acceptance tests will then begin in October 2025, with delivery to the Royal Malaysian Navy scheduled for August 2026.

Malaysia Completes Detailed Design on Littoral Combat Ship Frigate - Naval News

Malaysia Lumut Naval Shipyard has completed the LCS detailed design work, handing the completed design over to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Ananda]

Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) put video on the progress of LCS 2. This second base NG design Light Frigate/ Corvette is being prepared to be launched this year.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

In this Twitter post and naval-technology website, we can read about TLDM's plans for the future. One of the plans is to procure new ASW-helicopters.

We can also see an image of a 163 m long Multirole Support Ship, which is remarkable, if i am not wrong, the TLDM had plans to order the 143 m version from PAL.

https://x.com/GardaAramis/status/1896692879172710434

Malaysia face decisions for future maritime rotary fleet

 

[Ananda]

can also see an image of a 163 m long Multirole Support Ship,

That's image is basically Al Marwah LPD class, and quite interesting as Malaysian forum talk Hyundai or Turkish LPD. However if talking 163m LPD, then Al Maryah is the only one that already have current running production line. Perhaps it is one of the considerations. As costs of USD 400 mio for Al Maryah, Perhaps still comparable and only slightly less then Turkiye and ROK build LPD.

 

[Systems Adict]

That's image is basically Al Marwah LPD class, and quite interesting as Malaysian forum talk Hyundai or Turkish LPD. However if talking 163m LPD, then Al Maryah is the only one that already have current running production line. Perhaps it is one of the considerations. As costs of USD 400 mio for Al Maryah, Perhaps still comparable and only slightly less then Turkiye and ROK build LPD.

Do you think the Malaysian MinDef / RMN would consider buying 2nd hand vessels, over new ones ?
I'm sure that the UK would be prepared to sell the elements of it's amphibious forces that are currently mothballed / ready for disposal.

 

[Ananda]

you think the Malaysian MinDef / RMN would consider buying 2nd hand vessels, over new ones ?

Frankly speaking I'm not quite sure what's the direction Malaysian MinDef in the end wants in regards to pursue this Multirole Support Ship (MRSS). To recall this MRSS come to plan to replace their sole ex Newport class LST that burned down few years back. However due to budgetary constraints and priorities the project has been strech out few years until now.

So if 2 of ex RAN LPD meet the budget vs building 3 new MRSS, it is all possible. Buying 2nd hand is not something in my opinion that's taboo for ASEAN nations. Indonesia for example talk about build most in domestic yards including Tankers/Replenishment vessels, but rumours say MinDef seriously looking on the option to but at least one ex RN Wave class to replace their ex Rover class oilers. This because domestic build RAS vessels is litoral one and below 125m and they are looking for ocean going RAS with 150m+.

Looking to Malaysian media and forums, MRSS still 3 new LPD. However just like Indonesia and other ASEAN the need to build up fleet and replace obsolescence assets will have to be sort out between budget and time line priorities. Albion class is more capable class LPD compare to Makasar Class LPD derivative (as example). However I believe also more expensive to run. The question I suspect back whether getting 2 ex RAN LPD satisfied all the need and priorities vs build 3 new LPD.

Add:
ASEAN like most of the world facing situations of uncertainty on both security and economics. Market are volatile now and already happening since Covid. Trump just another factor on uncertainty and for Asian market they are buffering the shock in order not to let Financial Crisis 1998 repeated. So matter of priorities of buffering financial reserve plus preparing on securities issues is getting tougher to balance. Thus between bargain 2nd hand assets and build new assets to support domestic industry is getting serious consideration.

 

[koxinga]

RMN and MY government unlikely to buy used naval vessels for now.

Previous experience with the Lakasamana class/ex Iraq Assad class wasn't good.

New builds seen as a way to uplift the local economy, spread the money.

Exceptions (e.g Kuwaiti Hornets) are usually political and needs that support because the funds mostly outside of their yearly DE (development expenses) budget and is a special budget.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Frankly speaking I'm not quite sure what's the direction Malaysian MinDef in the end wants in regards to pursue this Multirole Support Ship (MRSS). To recall this MRSS come to plan to replace their sole ex Newport class LST that burned down few years back. However due to budgetary constraints and priorities the project has been strech out few years until now.

So if 2 of ex RAN LPD meet the budget vs building 3 new MRSS, it is all possible. Buying 2nd hand is not something in my opinion that's taboo for ASEAN nations. Indonesia for example talk about build most in domestic yards including Tankers/Replenishment vessels, but rumours say MinDef seriously looking on the option to but at least one ex RN Wave class to replace their ex Rover class oilers. This because domestic build RAS vessels is litoral one and below 125m and they are looking for ocean going RAS with 150m+.

Looking to Malaysian media and forums, MRSS still 3 new LPD. However just like Indonesia and other ASEAN the need to build up fleet and replace obsolescence assets will have to be sort out between budget and time line priorities. Albion class is more capable class LPD compare to Makasar Class LPD derivative (as example). However I believe also more expensive to run. The question I suspect back whether getting 2 ex RAN LPD satisfied all the need and priorities vs build 3 new LPD.

Add:
ASEAN like most of the world facing situations of uncertainty on both security and economics. Market are volatile now and already happening since Covid. Trump just another factor on uncertainty and for Asian market they are buffering the shock in order not to let Financial Crisis 1998 repeated. So matter of priorities of buffering financial reserve plus preparing on securities issues is getting tougher to balance. Thus between bargain 2nd hand assets and build new assets to support domestic industry is getting serious consideration.

I haven't heard something about the replacement of the KRI Arun 903, but it is indeed time to replace a 55-years old oil tanker with a modern fast fleet tanker/replenishment ship. The Wave Class is now in extended readiness (uncrewed reserve), so that means they should be in a quite good condition, besides that they are two generations younger than the Rover Class, can transport and supply more and have full hangar facilities for a NAS332/EC725 helicopter. Sounds like a good choice.