Milestone Achieved, RMN’s LCS “Detailed Design” Officially Handed Over

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Recently, Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) announced via its social media post that it had achieved a significant milestone with the official handover of the Detailed Design completion for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project.

The official handover of the Detailed Design took place on September 23.

According to LUNAS, this handover marks an key step in laying the foundation for the construction phase of the LCS vessels, ensuring that they are built to the highest quality standards and meet the intended purpose.

“This milestone is a key step in the completion of the LCS project in providing the foundation for the construction phase, ensuring that the LCS is built to the highest quality standards and meets the intended purpose.”

“This achievement not only highlights LUNAS’s unwavering commitment to excellence in every phase of the project but also showcases the collaborative efforts of LUNAS, RMN, and Naval Group. Together, we embody a strong esprit de corps, united in our dedication to delivering the LCS that uphold the sovereignty of the nation,” LUNAS stated in its social media post.

The official ceremony for the submission was attended by LUNAS CEO, Ir Azhar Jumaat, LCS Project Director at LUNAS, Captain (R) Rosnizam Che Puteh, and LCS Project Director RMN, First Admiral Ir Ts Franklin Jayasekhar Joseph.

Also present were LCS Engineering Director RMN, Captain Ir Malik Hj. Sulaiman, and LCS Program Director from the Naval Group, Denise Garnier.

As reported by the media in October 2022, the then Deputy Defence Minister stated that 94 percent of the Detailed Design for the RMN’s LCS vessels had been completed.

The remaining six percent, which involves the design of non-critical zones above the waterline, is yet to be completed.

 He further mentioned that the 94 percent of the Detailed Design already completed includes critical zones below the waterline.

He also confirmed that the French Naval Group would be sending a technical team to Malaysia to conduct an audit of the Detailed Design.

The first LCS vessel, “Maharaja Lela”, was successfully launched at LUNAS on May 23 this year.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the launch was to test the vessel’s stability and integrity.

He added that the ship is currently undergoing system and equipment installation tests, which will continue into next year.

 “In December, a harbour trial will be conducted, and after all equipment is installed, a sea trial will follow.

According to the plan, the first ship will be handed over to the RMN by August 2026, God willing,” he said, as quoted by the media in early June.

 

Regarding the second LCS vessel, as of June, the Defence Minister reported that it had achieved 64.66 percent completion, the third vessel was at 56.48 percent, the fourth at 51.10 percent, and the fifth at 42.33 percent.

The Ministry of Defence remains confident that the construction of all five LCS vessels will be completed and delivered to the RMN in stages, starting from August 2026, as planned. – DSA