The future KD Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jali is launched at STM’s shipyard in Istanbul. (Malaysian MINDEF)Malaysia has launched the first of its three Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch 2 corvettes at STM’s shipyard in Istanbul, Turkey, with the lead vessel to be named Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jali.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur is studying a potential third batch of LMS vessels, which could be built domestically.
The government-to-government contract for the LMS Batch 2 programme was signed in 2024, with all three vessels scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027.
Based on Turkey’s Ada-class corvette design, the ships displace around 2,500 tonnes and measure 99.6m in length. Operated by a crew of 111, the vessels are fitted primarily with Turkish systems, including a Havelsan combat management system, Aselsan Cenk 3D radar, Akrep fire control radar and Roketsan Atmaca anti-ship missiles.
Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that, even with the planned five Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ships and three LMS Batch 2 corvettes, the Royal Malaysian Navy still requires another eleven new warships to meet the objectives of its long-term fleet modernisation plan.
A third LMS batch is therefore under consideration, with local construction in Malaysia among the options being explored.
Khaled added that several Turkish defence companies have already identified Malaysian industrial partners as part of broader technology transfer and shipbuilding cooperation efforts.
Separately, the minister told local media that Malaysia has received proposals from three or four countries to supply alternative anti-ship missiles following Norway’s decision to block the export of Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) intended for the Maharaja Lela-class programme.
“In our consideration, first is our confidence and trust in the offers from certain countries. Second is whether major modifications need to be made to the completed ships, third is the issue of cost, and fourth is delivery,” he said.
Malaysia is reportedly seeking compensation of around MYR1 billion (US$251 million) from Oslo over the issue. Khaled added that he intends to meet his Norwegian counterpart during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in late May to discuss the matter further.
by Chen Chuanren