Malaysia Spends “Billions” on Acquiring Assets to Safeguard National Sovereignty in the South China Sea

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In recent years, the Malaysian government has spent billions of Ringgit on acquiring several defense assets, such as Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), Littoral Mission Ships (LMS), and light combat aircraft to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, particularly in the South China Sea.

Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is expected to receive the first of three LMS ordered from Türkiye in October 2027.

The second and third LMS are expected to be delivered to the RMN in November and December 2027, respectively.

 These three LMS, based on the Ada-class corvette design, are reported to be valued at RM2.5 billion.

As for the LCS, he mentioned that the first LCS, “Maharaja Lela,” is expected to be handed over to the RMN in August 2026, following the completion of its Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT) and Sea Acceptance Test (SAT).

“We are aware of the tensions in the South China Sea, the overlapping claims, and the dynamics of the area, so these are among the assets we have successfully acquired and, God willing, they will help us,” said the Defense Minister.

 

Mohamed Khaled made these remarks during his speech at PENTalk, where he highlighted the achievements of the ministry and states led by UMNO leaders, in conjunction with the 2024 UMNO General Assembly here today.

The first Maharaja Lela-class LCS of the RMN was successfully launched on May 23.

The construction of the LCS1 “Maharaja Lela” is proceeding according to schedule, with its launch having taken place last month as planned.

The construction of the remaining four LCS is also progressing well and according to the planned schedule.

The five LCS ships owned by the RMN are valued at RM11.2 billion.

The Maharaja Lela-class LCS of the RMN, once completed, will have a length of 111 meters and will carry around 118 crew members, including officers and sailors.

 

With a CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel) propulsion system, the RMN’s LCS will have a speed of 28 knots and an operational range of up to 5,000 nautical miles (at 15 knots).

These LCS will be capable of operating further and for longer durations.

Meanwhile, in May 2023, Malaysia and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract worth nearly RM4 billion for the acquisition of 18 FA-50 Block 20 light fighter aircraft, later designated as FA-50M (Malaysia).

The first batch of four FA-50M light fighter aircraft is expected to be received by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in October 2026, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered in stages thereafter.

The procurement contract for the 18 FA-50M (FA-50 Block 20) light fighter aircraft from KAI is proceeding smoothly, with the assembly progress of these aircraft reaching 37 percent by the end of July.

 

According to sources who spoke to Defence Security Asia, the assembly progress is expected to increase to 39 percent by the end of August.

The FA-50M light fighter aircraft of the RMAF is the most modern and capable variant of the FA-50M, compared to those acquired by other countries, including South Korea and several Southeast Asian nations.

Malaysia is also expected to begin receiving ATR72 MPA maritime patrol aircraft in 2026 to further strengthen the country’s maritime surveillance, particularly in the South China Sea.

 As a maritime nation, the need for maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the country’s vast waters is urgent, especially with the nation’s sovereignty in the South China Sea being threatened by incursions from Chinese vessels.

The Ministry of Defense and Leonardo, the manufacturer of the ATR72 MPA, signed a procurement agreement for two aircraft valued at over RM700 million during the LIMA 2023 exhibition in Langkawi last May.

 

Under the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) CAP55 program, the country plans to acquire at least six maritime patrol aircraft, with the acquisitions spanning several Malaysia Plans.

 Two of these maritime patrol aircraft have been acquired under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), and the remaining four will be acquired under two subsequent five-year development plans. — DSA