Malaysian Government Satisfied with Progress on Five LCS Vessels Despite “1.68 Percent Delay”

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Despite encountering a minor delay of 1.68 percent, the Malaysian government has expressed overall satisfaction with the ongoing construction progress of all five Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin attributed the slight delay primarily to disruptions in the supply chain of essential Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components.

“The project has achieved 71.62 percent completion compared to the original target of 73 percent,” he told reporters after visiting Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) today.

Highlighting the critical importance of this RM11 billion initiative, Khaled stressed its strategic significance to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), which urgently requires the capabilities provided by these advanced combat vessels.

“The first LCS ship is expected to be delivered to the RMN by August 2026, while the second, third, fourth, and fifth ships are currently under construction according to their respective schedules,” he added.

“The second LCS vessel is set to be launched this May and handed over to the RMN by April 2027, while the third LCS ship is expected to launch in January 2026.

Meanwhile, the third LCS is set to launch in January 2026, with the naming ceremony for the second vessel anticipated in June.”

The first LCS, Maharajalela, commenced Harbour Acceptance Trials in December of last year.

Following the final installation of critical systems, the ship will proceed to Sea Acceptance Tests.

Initially valued at RM9 billion, the LCS project represents the largest defence procurement in Malaysia’s history.

However, the project came under intense scrutiny in 2022 following revelations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that none of the six initially ordered ships had been completed, despite the government having expended RM6.08 billion.

Due to prolonged delays and budget overruns, the project’s cost has escalated to RM11.22 billion, resulting in a reduction from the original six vessels to five.

Upon completion, the Maharajalela-class LCS vessels will be 111 meters long, accommodating a crew of about 118 personnel, comprising officers and enlisted sailors.

Powered by a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion system, these ships will achieve speeds in excess of 28 knots and possess an operational range of 5,000 nautical miles at an economical cruising speed of 15 knots.

Each vessel is designed to accommodate medium-sized helicopters weighing between 10 and 12 tonnes, such as the EC725, facilitated by dedicated hangar and helipad facilities.

In terms of weaponry, the Maharajalela-class ships will be outfitted with a stealth-optimized BAE Systems Bofors 57mm naval gun, two MSI Defence DS30 MkII 30mm Remote Control Weapon Systems (RCWS), and J+S torpedo launchers.

These vessels notably marked the first warships in Southeast Asia to be contracted with the advanced Naval Strike Missile (NSM) developed by Norway’s Kongsberg, each ship armed with eight of these potent anti-ship missiles.

Air defence capabilities will be ensured by the advanced VL (Vertical Launch) MICA missile system produced by MBDA.

Despite RMN’s initial preference for the “Tacticos” Combat Management System (CMS), these ships will employ the SETIS CMS developed by Naval Group, as documented by the PAC.

Fire control radar duties will be managed by the Rheinmetall TMX/EO MKII system, while electronic support measures (ESM) capabilities will be provided by the THALES VIGILE 100 ESM.

Anti-submarine warfare capabilities will feature the sophisticated THALES CAPTAS Variable Depth Sonar.

Defensive measures will incorporate the Super Barricade Decoy System, with advanced communications facilitated through Link 16 and Link 11, complemented by the THALES TUUM underwater communication system.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA