Malaysia considers whether to stick or twist with LCS
The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is mulling how to proceed with its troubled Maharaja Lela -class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme.
None of the six LCS vessels on order from Boustead Naval Shipyard have been successfully completed, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob told parliament on 3 August.
LCS 1 is almost 60% completed, ahead of LCS 2 (48%), LCS 3 (43.75%), LCS 4 (36.49%) and LCS 5 (20%). Construction of LCS 6 is yet to begin.
This means that the overall programme is some 31 months behind schedule, Ismail Sabri said, and costs are spiralling beyond the original MYR9.13 billion ($2.16 billion) contract ceiling.
The LCS project faces a Cabinet-level review, with three options in play.
‘The first option is for the project to be continued by appointing Naval Group France as a rescue contractor… using the remaining contract ceiling to complete at least two LCS units,’ Ismail Sabri said.
Alternatively, Boustead Naval Shipyard would be required to complete ‘at least two LCS units’ within the remaining contract ceiling, he added.
The third option is to terminate the contract entirely, with the government stepping in the save the LCS programme.
Ismail Sabri said that saying that MINDEF does not intend to inject additional funds for Bousted Naval Shipyard to complete the LCS programme, despite a request from the shipbuilder.
However, the government could pay for the design rights and complete construction itself.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates]()
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
![Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat]()
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
![Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine]()
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.
-
![Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first]()
Keel laid for third Hellenic Navy frigate as harbour trials start for first
On 24 March 2022, Greece and Naval Group have signed a contract for three defence and intervention (FDI) frigates. Two warships will be due for delivery in 2025 and the third expected the following year, with the deal including an option to add a fourth frigate to be ready in 2027.
-
![US senators raise Russian concerns over unprepared Coast Guard fleet]()
US senators raise Russian concerns over unprepared Coast Guard fleet
US Congress senators have warned that the US Coast Guard’s fleet cannot protect Arctic waters against Russian naval capabilities.
-
![New deal to make AUKUS cooperation easier]()
New deal to make AUKUS cooperation easier
The AUKUS agreement will support Australia’s purchase of at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under pillar one. Other pillars of the agreement cover high technology such as cyber, unmanned systems, AI, EW, undersea capabilities and information sharing between the three countries.
