The Turkish Defense Industry Agency (SSB) Chief’s official announcement made today (June 10) was the final step between the two countries for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s procurement of the three Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) corvettes within the scope of the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) project. Naval News reported during the Defense and Security Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held between 6–9 May 2024 in Kuala Lumpur that two sides were negotiating the final details for the project.
Mr Görgün didn’t specify the details about the timeline of the project. However he underlined that STM will construct three ships in Türkiye, designed to meet the requirements of the Royal Malaysian Navy. “During the customization of these ships, products from several Turkish defence industry companies, including HAVELSAN, ASELSAN, and ROKETSAN, will be utilized,” Görgün stated.
The announcement also includes a Memorandum of Understanding between Türkiye and Malaysia about the procurement of defence products. Malaysia has signed a G2G on MoU Procurement of Defense Products with another country for the first time.
According to Mohamed Khaled, Malaysia’s defence minister, the project will take about three and a half years to complete and Malaysia will receive all three ships by the end of 2027.
“These significant meetings and agreements not only represent substantial progress in our defense industry cooperation but also herald a new era of strategic partnership between Türkiye and Malaysia.”
Haluk Görgün, Head of SSB
According to the model of the MİLGEM corvette showcased at the Malaysian Navy’s booth, the dimensions of the corvette for Malaysia seem the same as the Turkish counterpart. While there are some configuration adjustments, the design appears to adhere closely to the proven Ada-class corvette blueprint.
Notably, the primary difference in the LMS Batch 2 Corvette lies in its integration of air defence missiles. Plans entail outfitting the ship with air defense missiles, housed in 2×2-cell Vertical Launch Systems (VLSs) situated in the aft mast area of the vessel. Information gathered by Naval News at the exhibition indicates that the selected air defence missile for LMS Batch 2 is the Haegung (which means “Sea Bow”, or Korean Surface-to-Anti Air Missile (K-SAAM), manufactured by the South Korean company Lig NEX1. With these missiles arranged in a quad-pack configuration, a total of 16 Haegung Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAAMs) will be onboard.
You can watch Naval News’ coverage of the RMN’s LMN project at DSA 2024 from the link below.
About MILGEM project / LMS Batch 2 corvettes
The Ada-class, as part of the MILGEM project, represents the first national ship-building project staged in Turkey. Its goal was to build a modern littoral combat ship with indigenous anti-submarine warfare and high-seas patrol capabilities, extensively using the principles of stealth technology in its design.
The Ada-class Corvette boasts capabilities encompassing the determination, location, classification, identification, and destruction of air, surface, and underwater targets, along with the provision of Naval Gunfire Support. Beyond its offensive capacities, Corvettes excel in evading potential threats while executing maritime operations such as surveillance and patrol, safeguarding coastal areas and infrastructure, as well as overseeing and monitoring Exclusive Economic Zones.
The class is designed to embark on a 10-ton helicopter with platform, hangar and extensive service and handling equipment. Helicopter operations can be performed at sea state 4. A MILGEM corvette is designed to accommodate 106 sailors including the flight crew. The total accommodation is 108 including sickbay.
Milgem-class are multipurpose corvettes able to conduct a wide a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air warfare.
LMS Batch 2 Main specifications:
- Displacement: 2500 tonnes
- Length: 99, 56m
- Beam: 14.42m
- Draft: 3.9m
- Propulsion: CODAG (1 GE LM2500 gas turbine and 2 diesel engines)
- Max Speed: 26 knots
- Range: 4000 nautical miles at 14 kts
- Crew: 111
- Weapon: 1x gun 76 mm; 2x 12,7mm STAMP; 8 × Atmaca; 30 mm Aselsan Smash, 4-cell quad pack Haegung SAM, Gökdeniz CIWS
