Malaysia Issues LOI to Turkish STM for Acquisition of Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch 2

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — As previously stated several times by Defence Security Asia, Turkish shipbuilder, Turkiye Savunma Teknolojieri Muhendiskil (STM), has been confirmed to received a Letter of Intent regarding the acquisition of Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) Batch 2 for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

It is now almost certain (pending further negotiations until the contract signing stage) that STM’s design for the Ada-class ships will be the choice for TLDM’s LMS Batch 2 vessels.

Following the LOI for the “EVA” 155mm for Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH) for the Malaysia  Army, now we were informed the LOI for the acquisition of LMS Batch 2 warships for the RMN..

This marks a significant advancement in national defense efforts.

Information regarding the LOI for LMS Batch 2 vessels was disclosed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Parliament to a question from Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) on March 13th.

 

“The Ministry of Defence will execute the acquisition of Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2) for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) through a Government to Government (G to G) approach with the relevant Turkish shipbuilding company, Savunma Teknolojieri Muhendislik (STM), via direct negotiations,” stated the Defence Minister.

“The Ministry of Finance (MOF) granted approval for this matter on January 18, 2024. Consequently, the Ministry of Defence issued a letter of intent (LOI) to the company on February 5, 2024, and the company responded on February 8, 2024, agreeing to negotiate with the Ministry of Defence as the Government’s representative,” according to the Defence Minister.

He further noted that the Ministry of Defence, through RMN, is currently engaged in detailed negotiations regarding the offered specifications and will proceed to negotiate prices before finalizing the acquisition.

According to a previous report from Defence Security Asia, Malaysia will acquire three LMS Batch 2 ships in the first phase, while an additional eight ships will be acquired in the second phase, encompassing two Five-Year Malaysian Plans.

At present, the Turkish Navy operates four Ada-class corvettes, while four Ada-class corvettes are also built for the Pakistan Navy, and one Ada-class corvette for the Ukrainian Navy.

 

These Ada-class corvettes are anti-submarine warfare and patrol vessels developed specifically for the Turkish Navy under the National Warship Construction Program, MILGEM.

Powered by a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) system comprising one gas turbine and two diesel engines, the Ada-class corvettes can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots and operate within a radius of 3,500 nautical miles at 15 knots.

They can accommodate a crew of 93 personnel.

With an overall length of 99.56 meters, the Ada-class corvettes have a maximum displacement of 2,400 tons.

Equipped with the “GENESIS” warfare management system developed by another Turkish defense company, HAVELSAN, the Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), SMART-S Mk2 search radar, X-band radar, and fire control radar.

 

In terms of armament, they are equipped with an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun, two Remote Control Weapon Systems (RCWS) 12.7mm, and eight Harpoon anti-ship guided missile launchers, which are now being replaced by the domestically developed “ATMACA” anti-ship guided missiles by Turkey.

The Ada-class corvettes are also equipped with RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) anti-aircraft missiles and two 324 mm Mk. 46 torpedo launchers.

Certainly, all specifications of these Ada-class corvettes will be subject to negotiation between RMN and STM.

Although the Ministry of Defence has chosen the Ada-class ship design, TLDM will determine the physical and technical specifications of LMS Batch 2 vessels, whether following 100 percent of Turkey’s design or not. — DSA