Boustead Began Construction of Six LCS Frigates

13 Juni 2015

RMN Littoral Combat Ship (photo : Shephard)

Boustead Naval Shipyard To Build 6 RMN Warships

LUMUT (Bernama) -- Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd today began construction of six Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) warships costing RM9 billion under the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) project.

Defence Deputy Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the LCS project was one of the government's efforts to strengthen the country's maritime defence system, apart from boosting the economy, especially the shipbuilding industry.

"This is a step in the right direction for the country to strengthen its defence assets and technology while construction capability of the defence industry would place Malaysia as a defence industry player," he said.

Abdul Rahim was speaking at a media conference after launching the first welding of the LCS project at Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd here today.

Also present were the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd managing director, Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor.

The ships built under the LCS project will have various warfare capabilities.

Among the main features of the ships are their maximum speed of 28 knots and weapon capabilities such as torpedo launcher, anti-surface missile launcher system, anti-air missile launcher system and medium calibre guns to tighten security control on Malaysian waters.

The construction, integration and tests on the LCS ships would be carried out completely in Lumut where modular construction would ensure improvement at every stage.

The first ship identified as First of Class Vessel is expected to be delivered in April 2019, and thereafter, each ship will be ready every 10 months.

(Bernama)