(VIDEO) RMN’s LCS 2 Completes First Stage of Painting Process

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The second Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 2) has completed its first stage of painting, according to a social media report by the shipbuilder, Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS).

The initial painting phase paves the way for subsequent work required to complete the warship.

“Littoral Combat Ship 2 has successfully completed the blasting and first painting process, marking a significant milestone in its construction journey. The vessel will now proceed to surface preparation and additional coating applications to ensure all critical areas meet the required standards.

“These essential procedures ensure the ship’s surface is ready for the next stages, where additional layers of coating will be meticulously applied to enhance durability and resilience in challenging maritime conditions.

“This progress brings us closer to the much-anticipated completion of LCS 2,” LUNAS stated.

The second LCS is expected to be named “Raja Muda Nala.”

Blasting and painting are critical procedures in industries such as shipbuilding, involving meticulous processes that can vary in duration depending on the vessel’s size, surface condition, and project requirements.

The process involves cleaning surfaces through abrasive blasting to remove rust, old coatings, and contaminants, followed by the application of protective coatings in layers, including primers, intermediate coats, and topcoats. This ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and enhances the finish.

For large vessels such as the Littoral Combat Ship, this process typically takes between four to six weeks to complete one layer of coating.

Currently, LCS 2 has been coated with primer paint, and additional layers will be applied progressively over time.

On December 20, LUNAS shared a video on its social media platform showcasing the latest condition of the first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 1), “Maharaja Lela.”

Based on the video, LCS 1 “Maharaja Lela” appears to be nearing readiness to begin the Harbour Acceptance Trial (HAT), which is expected to commence soon.

HAT is a crucial phase in the warship acceptance and testing process, conducted while the vessel remains docked at the port or shipyard.

The purpose of HAT is to ensure that the ship’s systems and equipment are functioning properly and meet specified requirements before proceeding to sea trials (Sea Acceptance Trial, SAT).

Speaking in Parliament recently, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari reported that as of October 25, the current progress of RMN’s first Littoral Combat Ship, “Maharaja Lela,” stood at 70.10 percent.

“Based on the project milestones outlined in the signed contract, the final phase of the first LCS construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year, before it undergoes trials such as the Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT) and Sea Acceptance Trial (SAT) by RMN over the next two years.”

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin also stated that, according to plans, the first LCS is expected to be handed over to RMN in August 2026, following the completion of HAT and SAT.

As for the second LCS, its construction progress, as reported by the Defence Minister in June, has reached 64.66 percent, while the third LCS stands at 56.48 percent, the fourth at 51.10 percent, and the fifth at 42.33 percent.

The Defence Ministry expressed confidence that the construction of the five LCS vessels, valued at over RM11 billion, will be delivered to RMN according to the scheduled timeline, starting progressively from August 2026. — DSA