(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is expected to receive the decommissioned United States Coast Guard (USCG) vessel, “USCGC Steadfast,” following its preparation in Baltimore, United States.
The ship is anticipated to be brought back to Malaysia in the first quarter of 2025.
Acting Director-General of MMEA, Maritime Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim, stated that the presence of this vessel would be a significant asset in strengthening the security of Malaysia’s Maritime Zone, particularly in the South China Sea.
“The addition of this asset will indirectly enhance our operations, making them more effective and efficient,” he was quoted by the national news agency, Bernama during a press conference following the completion ceremony of the Maritime Class II Cadets Series 17/2023, involving 75 trainees at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS).
Saiful Lizan noted that the “USCGC Steadfast,” measuring 64.16 meters in length and 10 meters in width with a weight of 1,100 tons, could accommodate 12 officers and 63 other ranks simultaneously, achieving speeds up to 18 knots with an operational range of up to 6,100 Nautical Miles.
Commissioned into the US Coast Guard service in 1968, the “USCGC Steadfast” was decommissioned on February 1, 2024.
Now classified under Excess Defense Article status, the vessel will sail to Baltimore, Maryland, where it will be made available for sale to other countries through the Coast Guard’s Foreign Military Sales Program.
Saiful also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs for facilitating the agreement between the Malaysian and United States governments through a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the vessel’s handover.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the tender process for the MMEA’s mothership, with an acquisition cost of RM330 million, is expected to be finalized by the end of this year.
The specifications of the ship are anticipated to be completed by the end of this month, with implementation by the appointed company starting before and into the first quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, to establish AMSAS as an international center of excellence, he stated that repair and maintenance work on the facilities began last year with a total allocation of RM1.3 million.
“An additional RM11 million has been allocated to AMSAS under the 12th Malaysia Plan to upgrade the open shooting range, which is expected to be fully completed by 2026,” he added. — DSA