KD Lekiu Joins Multinational Group Sail from Guam to Hawaii for RIMPAC 2024
According to a statement on social media by the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), the collective sailing under the "Multinational Group Sail" initiative commenced from Guam towards Hawaii, strategically planned as initial preparations for the involved ships ahead of their participation in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) frigate, KD Lekiu recently departed Guam on June 14 after resupplying, joining the Multinational Group Sail (MNGS) alongside foreign naval vessels.
According to the Malaysian Navy’s social media statement, the collective voyage commenced from Guam towards Hawaii, serving as preliminary readiness for the participating ships ahead of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.
Among the vessels accompanying KD Lekiu is the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Stalwart, which is coordinating the exercise as the MNGS Task Group Commander, along with the Royal Brunei Navy ships KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulaman, the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) ship KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata, and the Republic of Korea Navy ship ROKS Chunmugong Yi Sun-Sin.
The maritime phase of MNGS includes exercises such as PHOTEX, GUNEX, DIVTAC, PUBEX, ADEX, and SCREENEX.
The exercises have also involved Super Lynx aircraft flying from ROKS Chunmugong Yi Sun-Sin, successfully executing formations like the Diamond, Arrow, and Fan out Formations.
RIMPAC 2024, the 29th edition, has begin on June 27 to August 1, 2024, and is the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
This multinational exercise will witness over 30 countries participating with 40 ships, four submarines, and 170 aircraft.
KD Lekiu, a frigate of the Royal Malaysian Navy, embarked from Lumut Naval Base on May 30 to join RIMPAC 2024 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, marking Malaysia’s third involvement and KD Lekiu’s second participation after its debut in 2018, followed by KD Lekir in 2022.
According to the Malaysian Navy, the objective of this exercise is to enhance the combined capabilities of RIMPAC forces in dynamic maritime environments, demonstrating continuous interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.
Throughout the exercise, KD Lekiu, under the command of Captain Mahamad Nazir bin Darus, TLDM, will sail for nearly 100 days, covering approximately 12,730 nautical miles.
The ship will undertake various planned exercises, including missile firings at real ship targets.
Malaysia’s participation in RIMPAC 2024 underscores TLDM’s capability and readiness in conducting complex and challenging maritime operations, enhancing interoperability with international navies participating in the exercise.
Additionally, it strengthens Malaysia’s diplomatic and defense relations through close interaction and cooperation with other nations.
The Lekiu-class frigate is a flagship modern asset in the Royal Malaysian Navy fleet, comprising two frigates, FFG29 KD Jebat and FFG30 KD Lekiu, both built by Yarrow Shipbuilders UK in Glasgow (now BVT Surface Fleet) based on the lightweight frigate design FS 2000.
KD Lekiu was launched in December 1994, followed by KD Jebat in May 1995. — DSA
