Malaysia Maritime to Acquire RM350 Million Multi-Purpose Mission Ship
“This vessel, he explained, will be equipped with multi-mission operational capabilities, enabling the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to carry out maritime operations more effectively,” said Maritime Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, Director-General of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has been allocated RM350 million for the acquisition of a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS), according to its Director-General, Maritime Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah.
He stated that the MPMS will significantly enhance the agency’s ability to conduct maritime operations more effectively.
“This vessel will be equipped with various mission-specific capabilities, enabling MMEA to carry out maritime operations with greater efficiency,” he said in a statement.
Additionally, RM160 million has been allocated for the procurement of two New Generation Patrol Crafts (NGPC).
These vessels will feature advanced technologies to enhance the agency’s patrol and enforcement capabilities across wider and more challenging maritime areas.
Mohd Rosli further disclosed that MMEA received RM150 million under the Ship Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to maintain six existing vessels, as part of the second phase to optimize their operational lifespan.
The Director-General also announced that MMEA will take delivery of a United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) to bolster its maritime surveillance capabilities, particularly in strategic waters.
For this purpose, the government has allocated RM15 million for the maintenance and refurbishment of the vessel, which is expected to arrive in Malaysia next year.
In an earlier statement, Mohd Rosli confirmed that the USCGC Steadfast is in good condition, with comfortable working spaces to accommodate MMEA officers and personnel.
The Steadfast measures 64.16 meters in length, with a beam of 10 meters and a displacement of 1,100 tons. It has the capacity to accommodate 12 officers and 63 crew members, with a top speed of 18 knots and an operational range of up to 6,100 nautical miles.
Commissioned into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1968, the vessel was retired from service on February 1, 2024.
Regarding the 2025 Budget, Mohd Rosli said that the government has allocated RM675 million to MMEA for the maintenance of existing vessels and the acquisition of new ones to enhance the agency’s readiness in safeguarding Malaysia’s maritime zones. — DSA
