Lumut Naval Shipyard officially named and launched Malaysia ’s third Littoral Combat Ship, Sharif Mashor, on February 10, with a ceremony at the shipyard where the frigate is being built.
The ceremony was graced by the Governor of Sarawak, Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar. The naming and launching of LCS 3 was officiated by his wife, Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi, who is LCS 3’s Lady Sponsor. The Governor and his wife visited the shipyard the day before, receiving a briefing from Lumut Naval Shipyard representatives on the construction progress of LCS 1 through 4.
Also present at the ceremony was Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Defence, YB Tuan Haji Adly bin Zahari, representing the Minister of Defence Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, the Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri (Dr.) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, and the Director of the Science & Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE), Nor Azlan Mohd Ramli.
According to Lumut Naval Shipyard, the naming and launching ceremony follows a “technical downslip” on January 31. According to the contract between the Malaysian government and the shipyard, LCS 3 is scheduled to begin harbor trials in March and sea trials in October 2027, with delivery to take place in December 2027. Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled said on 28 January that LCS 3 through 5 are not affected by the delays experienced by LCS 1 Maharaja Lela and LCS 2 Raja Muda Nala.
Sharif Mashor’s namesake was the governor of Sarikei, who led a rebellion against the Raj of Sarawak between 1860 and 1861 and was exiled to Singapore after the rebellion’s defeat. In a statement, Lumut Naval Shipyard said the naming choice honored his “unwavering courage and leadership in defending the region.” “Sharif Mashor played a key role in regional conflicts and resistance efforts during a turbulent period, leaving a legacy of determination, resilience and strategic insight. Naming LCS 3 after him symbolizes the continuity of bravery and commitment to protecting Malaysia’s maritime interests.”
As a Littoral Combat Ship, LCS 3 Sharif Mashor has identical specifications to the lead ship of the class:
Maharaja Lela-class frigate main specifications
Displacement: 3,100 tons full load
Length: 111 m (364 ft 2 in)
Beam: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Draught: 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in)
Propulsion: CODAD
Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h)
Range: 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 138 sailors
Weapon systems:
- Main gun: 1 × Bofors 57 mm gun (in stealth cupola)
- Secondary gun: 2 × MSI DS30M 30 mm cannon
- SAM: N/A
- ASM: 8 × Naval Strike Missile SSM
- Torpedo: 2 × triple SEA torpedo launcher
