In March 2024, Malaysia abandoned a contract with the mainland to import LMS-type patrol ships and instead signed a contract with Turkey to import island-class patrol ships. From abandoning the continued import of Chinese ships to importing patrol ships from Turkey, Malaysia has changed its import plans. The question arises as to why Malaysia has changed its plans. What is the level of the Malaysian Navy's overall strength? Today, we will talk about this issue.
The main ship of the Malaysian Navy
First, let's talk about the strength of the Malaysian Navy. It has to be said that among the countries surrounding the South China Sea, the comprehensive strength of the Malaysian Navy can be said to be among the best. Of course, Malaysia lacks the ability to build large and medium-sized capital ships, and all kinds of capital ships of the Malaysian Navy are imported ships. Currently, the Malaysian Navy has 6 Mahara Jolira-class frigates, 2 Laiku-class frigates, 2 Kasturi-class frigates, 6 Kedah-class corvettes, 4 Laksamana-class light patrol ships, and 4 LMS Littoral Mission Ships.
Among them, the 6 Mahalla Jolira-class frigates belong to the absolute main force, with a full load displacement of more than 3,100 tons, which is a derivative of the French Chasing Wind 2500 frigates, and the comprehensive performance is relatively perfect. The two Laiku-class frigates are also one of the main forces, developed by the British in the F2000 type frigates, with a full load displacement of more than 2,200 tons, which is comparable to the tonnage of the mainland's Type 053H3 frigates.
The main ship of the Malaysian Navy
2 Kasturi-class frigates, old ships in service in the 80s, belonging to German construction. With a full load displacement of more than 1800 tons, two ships are about to be decommissioned due to the fact that they have been in service for 40 years. The six Kedah-class corvettes were built by Germany in the late 90s and early 21st centuries for Malaysia. With a full load displacement of more than 1800 tons, it belongs to the second-tier ships of Malaysia. 4 Laxamana-class corvettes, patrol ships imported from Italy in the late 90s.
With a full load displacement of only about 700 tons, it belongs to second-hand ships. Because these four patrol ships were originally designed and built by Italy for Iraq. Today, we are mainly talking about 4 LMS Littoral Mission Ships. The LMS Littoral Mission Ship is an offshore patrol ship introduced by the mainland in the 2010s. According to reports, it is 69 meters long, 9 meters wide, with a draft of 2.6 meters and a full load displacement of 780 tons. The maximum speed is 24 knots, the endurance is 2000 nautical miles, the self-sustaining power is 15 days, and the crew is 45 people.
LNS Littoral Mission Ship, built by China
After the launch of the LMS Littoral Mission Ship, it has been exported to Bangladesh. In 2017, Malaysia signed a contract with the mainland to order 18 LMS Littoral Mission Ships from the mainland. Among them, the first 4 ships were built by the Wuhan shipyard in mainland China, and the last 14 ships were supported by mainland and operated by Bossted Heavy Industries Group in Malaysia. As of 2021, four LMS littoral mission ships built by the mainland have been delivered one after another.
However, Malaysia's construction plan has not shown signs of starting for a long time. Because, Malaysia has repented. After a period of use, Malaysia believes that the LMS Littoral Mission Ship is not suitable for it, and it is very likely that it has abandoned the subsequent construction plan. First of all, the LMS Littoral Mission Ship has a full load displacement of only more than 780 tons, which is too small in tonnage. Malaysia needs patrol ships of larger tonnage, and LMS Littoral Mission ships are not suitable in the South China Sea.
Malaysia's LMS Littoral Mission Ship
Of course, the first argument is only Malaysia's rhetoric, and the second is the main reason. After 2020, with the game between the various forces around the South China Sea, Malaysia may use "imported Chinese ships" to confront PLA ships. For example, on June 17, 2023, in the South China Sea, the Malaysian ship that confronted the mainland navy's coast guard ship No. 5402 was the LMS Littoral Mission Ship RMN111. Such a situation makes both sides psychologically "very uncomfortable." ”
As a result, Malaysia's domestic plan to build LMS littoral mission ships has not started for a long time. In practical terms, it is highly likely that Malaysia will abandon its plans to continue the construction of LMS Littoral Mission ships. Because, the environment has changed dramatically in all aspects. So, what kind of ships did Malaysia use to replace the mainland's LMS littoral mission ships? After repeated investigations, Malaysia chose Turkey.
Turkish Navy Island-class frigate
In recent days, Malaysia has officially announced plans to order 99-meter patrol ships from Turkey. Among them, the 99 patrol ships ordered by Malaysia from Turkey are actually patrol versions developed on the basis of island-class frigates. The Island-class frigate belongs to a famous brand of Turkey and is a very classic model. In addition to equipping Turkey's own navy, it is also exported to Pakistan, Ukraine. For example, Pakistan ordered 4 ships and Ukraine ordered 2 ships, all of which are being delivered in batches.
The patrol ship ordered by Malaysia is a model that has been further developed on the basis of the island-class frigate, which has dismantled some missiles and equipment. At present, the specific purchase quantity has not been determined. According to foreign media reports, Malaysia ordered 11 island-class patrol ships. The author believes that this number is unlikely, because it involves a series of issues such as port construction and later maintenance. It is expected that in the coming period, Malaysia or Turkey will definitely sign a formal contract stipulating the quantity and time of purchase.
Turkish Navy Island-class frigate
In recent years, the competition between warships in the international arms market has been fierce. On the one hand, South Korea, Turkey and other countries have successively launched some competitive products. On the other hand, traditional European powers such as Germany and France have begun to launch a new generation of ship models. Coupled with the rise of emerging countries such as China, various ships have repeatedly competed in export orders. For example, in the procurement of many countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, there are often multiple countries and multiple rounds of competition.
The formation of the main ships of the PLA Navy
At the same time, the mainland has indeed experienced a certain bottleneck in the export of warships. For a long time, the various ships exported by the mainland were mainly low- and medium-grade ships with high quality and low price, and the competition for ships at this stage was very fierce, such as various corvettes. In the past two years, the mainland is gradually changing its model and has launched an export model of the 5,000-ton main destroyer. It has to be said that for many countries, the project of the main destroyer of more than 5,000 tons cannot be developed on its own.
A 5,000-ton foreign trade destroyer launched by China
There are many more stories about the construction and development of ships of the mainland navy. The author will talk to you slowly in future articles.