(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Nine companies have come forward to offer their Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) to meet the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) requirements for the LMS Batch 2 acquisition program.
Malaysian Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that nine companies had submitted bids, which were evaluated by both the RMN committee and the Ministry of Defense.
Market research has been conducted on the ships produced by these nine countries.
“When TLDM has assessed the bidding ships and identified the models and specifications they want and their combat capabilities, we will commence government-to-government negotiations,” he said in Parliament today.
Mohamad, also known as “Tok Mat,” said the government would enter into Memoranda of Understanding with the countries producing the RMN’s preferred LMS ships.
He also mentioned that all criteria and specifications for the LMS Batch 2 ships were determined by the end-user, RMN itself.
While Turkey is said to be the preferred candidate to win the contract for the LMS Batch 2 ships in Malaysia, several international companies showcased their ships at LIMA ’23, which took place last May, to meet RMN’s requirements.
RMN is reportedly planning to acquire three LMS Batch 2 ships this year and five more in the subsequent Malaysia Plans.
Some of the international companies that offered their ships include Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) from South Korea, which presented the HDC-2000 Littoral Mission Ship.
The HDC-2000 design is said to have been completed only last year and is based on the Jose Rizal-class frigate weighing 2,600 tons owned by the Philippine Navy.
Weighing 2,000 tons, with a length of 95 meters, the LMS HDC-2000 ship can reach a speed of 25 knots with an operational range of 4,000 nautical miles and a crew of 72.
It can be equipped with two anti-ship guided missile launchers, eight Vertical Launching System (VLS) cells for anti-aircraft guided missiles, torpedoes, main guns, and Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS).
The renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri showcased designs from the “FCX” family for the RMN’s LMS Batch 2 program, with the “FCX15” design proposed to meet Malaysia’s requirements.
The “FCX15” design is based on the Sirio-class, Comandanti-class of the Italian Navy, and the Abu Dhabi-class for the UAE Navy.
The overall length of the LMS based on the FCX15 design is 88 meters, with a total weight of 1,500 tons, capable of reaching a speed of 28 knots with an operational range of 4,000 nautical miles at a cruise speed of 14 knots.
Fincantieri described the FCX15 design as the most suitable for meeting the RMNs LMS Batch 2 program requirements.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi ShipBuilding (ADSB), a part of the Emirati defense giant EDGE, presented the design of the 92M Corvette for the RMN’s LMS Batch 2 program.
Although targeting the RMN LMS Batch 2 contract, the 92M Corvette design is also aimed at the global market for corvettes and light frigates.
With a length of 92 meters, the ADSB-designed warship has a total weight of 2,000 tons and a speed of 28 knots, capable of conducting surface warfare, air defense, and electronic warfare missions.
For its armament systems, it can be equipped with either a 57mm or 76mm main gun and air defense systems such as the MBDA VL MICA or LIG NEX1 M-SAM, as well as eight launchers for ship-to-ship guided missiles.
For the Combat Management System (CMS), the 92M Corvette can also be equipped with the ATHENA system by Leonardo or TACTICOS by Thales, which are also used on RMN warships. — DSA