Steel Cutting Ceremony Marks Construction of RMN’s Littoral Mission Ship Batch II in Turkiye
The Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) Littoral Mission Ship Batch II boasts multi-dimensional warfare capabilities, encompassing anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and electronic warfare. These advanced features are set to enhance RMN’s combat and operational readiness significantly.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Steel Cutting ceremony for the Littoral Mission Ship Batch II (LMSB2) project of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) was held today at Istanbul Shipyard, Turkiye.
The event was officiated by RMN Chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain and witnessed by a delegation from the Ministry of Defence, led by the Deputy Secretary-General (Development) Dr. Mohd Bakhari Ismail, as well as representatives from the RMN and the LMSB2 Project Team.
According to RMN’s official social media statement, the Steel Cutting marks the symbolic start of the ship construction process.
The LMSB2 design, based on the ADA-Class corvette, was selected by RMN under a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement, with Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik (STM) appointed as the main contractor.
The ADA-Class corvettes are currently operated by the navies of Turkiye and Pakistan, with additional vessels under construction or in the testing phase for the navies of Pakistan and Ukraine.
The LMSB2 ships are equipped with multi-dimensional warfare capabilities, including anti-surface, anti-air, and electronic warfare, significantly enhancing RMN’s operational and combat readiness.
Brief:
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has officially commenced construction of its Littoral Mission Ship Batch II (LMSB2) vessels with a Steel Cutting ceremony at Istanbul Shipyard, Turkiye. The ceremony, symbolizing the start of the shipbuilding process, was officiated by RMN Chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain and attended by representatives from the Ministry of Defence and key stakeholders.
The LMSB2 ships are based on the ADA-Class corvette design from Turkiye, selected under a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement with STM as the main contractor. These vessels will feature advanced multi-dimensional warfare capabilities, including anti-surface, anti-air, and electronic warfare systems, along with state-of-the-art weaponry and sensors.
The project, part of a procurement agreement signed in June 2024, is expected to deliver three vessels within three years and six months. Once completed by the end of 2027, the ships will significantly enhance RMN’s operational and combat capabilities in maritime defense.
Turkiye’s defense industry plays a key role in the project, providing systems such as the Combat Management System, radar, weapons, and the ATMACA anti-ship missile. The initiative highlights strong bilateral defense collaboration between Malaysia and Turkiye.
The vessels will also feature advanced weaponry and sensor systems, enabling them to conduct a wide range of maritime missions.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, after which the ships will be handed over to the RMN.
The ceremony was also attended by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Turkiye, Sazali Mustafa Kamal, and STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz.
Earlier in June, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) with the President of Turkiye’s Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB) for the procurement of the LMS Batch II ships.
The LOA was signed by Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin during a five-day official visit to Turkiye, alongside SSB President Prof. Dr. Haluk Gorgun.
The three LMS Batch II ships are expected to be completed within three years and six months.
Designed for versatile maritime missions, the vessels will be equipped with state-of-the-art sensor, weaponry, and command and control systems.
Their capabilities include Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Asymmetric Warfare (ASyW), and Electronic Warfare (EW).
The construction and outfitting of the vessels involve significant contributions from Turkiye’s defense industry, with STM integrating advanced systems such as the Combat Management System and the 76mm Gun Fire Control System supplied by HAVELSAN.
Additional equipment, including 3D Search Radar, Fire Control Radar, IFF systems, 30mm guns, ESM, Chaff Decoy Systems, and other electronic sensors, will be provided by ASELSAN. The ATMACA anti-ship missile system will be supplied by ROKETSAN. – DSA
