Malaysia Coast Guard to Fully Operate Turkish-Made Multi-Purpose Mission Ship in 2027

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is expected to fully operate the Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) acquired from Türkiye by the first quarter of 2027, marking a significant addition to the country’s maritime security assets.

MMEA Director-General Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah described the procurement of the MPMS as a strategic decision to address the increasingly complex maritime security challenges.

“The MPMS is capable of operating continuously for 30 days and is equipped with modern assets, including four fast interceptor craft (FIC), two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as a helideck, medical facilities, and a detention center,” he said in a statement today.

The 99-meter-long MPMS can accommodate a crew of 70 and an additional 30 passengers.

“The vessel will focus on surveillance operations in the South China Sea, particularly in addressing foreign vessel intrusions, illegal fishing activities, and combating transnational crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking,” he added.

Mohd Rosli stated that Türkiye’s Desan Shipyard was selected for the contract based on merit, as well as the company’s expertise and globally recognized capabilities in the defense industry.

He further emphasized that the procurement agreement aligns with Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening maritime security through international cooperation.

“With this agreement in place, MMEA is optimistic that bilateral relations between Malaysia and Türkiye in the maritime defense sector will continue to be enhanced, bringing significant benefits to the security and stability of the nation’s waters,” he said.

Yesterday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony was held between Malaysia, represented by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, and the Republic of Türkiye, represented by the Chairman of Desan Shipyard, Mr. Cenk Ismail Kaptanoğlu.

The ceremony was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In October last year, MMEA Director-General Maritime Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah confirmed that RM350 million had been allocated for the acquisition of a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship to bolster the agency’s operational reach.

“This vessel will feature multi-mission capabilities, allowing MMEA to conduct maritime operations more efficiently and effectively,” he stated.

In August last year, then-Acting MMEA Director-General Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim revealed that the MPMS, scheduled for construction in early 2025, would function as a ‘mothership’ for MMEA’s patrol operations.

He expressed optimism that construction would commence in the first quarter of 2025.

According to him, the mothership will significantly enhance maritime surveillance, allowing MMEA’s patrol boats to operate over a wider area, thus strengthening security and enforcement in national waters.

The Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) is designed to perform a range of maritime operations within a single platform.

It is widely utilized by navies and maritime security agencies to execute diverse missions without relying on multiple specialized vessels.

Meanwhile, during the Malaysia-Turkiye Business Forum, held in conjunction with President Erdogan’s visit, Turkish defence companies signed several strategic agreements with Malaysian firms.

Among the key agreements:

• ASELSAN signed a collaboration agreement with Sapura in the communications sector.

• ASELSAN and HAVELSAN partnered with LUNAS Shipyard for naval platform modernization.

• HAVELSAN signed a cooperation agreement with MIMOS-Techinsight in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in MMEA’s modernization efforts, reinforcing Malaysia’s maritime enforcement capabilities while deepening defence cooperation between Malaysia and Turkiye.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA