KUALA LUMPUR – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is proposing an allocation of RM214 million (US$48 million) to install long-range naval strike missile (NSM) launchers on two of its Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels.
Documents sighted by defence website Janes indicate that this is part of RMN’s three-part “Rolling Plan 4” project under the 12th Malaysia Plan between 2021 and 2025.
The report on Janes said Rolling Plan 4 covers proposals for allocations under Budget 2024.
With the NSM plan, the navy is looking to install the missile launchers on two out of a total of six corvettes rolled out between June 2006 and December 2010.
The patrol vessels are based on the Meko 100 design by German shipbuilders Blohm+Voss, and are essentially classified as corvettes due to their small size and weight.
Currently, the Kedah-class vessels are only armed with a 76mm gun on the bow, while the aft is armed with a 30mm gun.
However, the vessels did not come fitted with certain weapon systems as they were delivered under the “for but not with” basis, although certain sensors and electronics to house the capabilities were already installed.
According to Janes, all six Kedah-class corvettes are being operated by RMN’s Eastern Fleet in Sepanggar, Sabah, where they launch patrols in the area, including the South China Sea.
The navy’s plans arrive some two months after the government was urged to take strict action on an alleged intrusion by China’s Coast Guard and its People’s Liberation Army Navy into Malaysian waters.
In June last year, the United States Pacific Air Force commander slammed China after its military aircraft allegedly trespassed into Malaysia’s waters, forcing the Royal Malaysian Air Force to dispatch fighter jets to intercept.
The action was said to be a form of border intrusion, threatening regional stability and creating tension.
Incidentally, at least 4,000 US and Indonesian soldiers are being joined by forces from Australia and Singapore, in an annual drill known as “Super Garuda Shield” that started yesterday. Japan is also joining in for the first time.
Washington said that the two-week joint military exercise aims to advance “regional cooperation in support of a free and open” Asia-Pacific region. – The Vibes, August 2, 2022
