This is taken from the South China Morning Post, click here.
- Malaysia’s US$500 million warship set for delivery, minus the missiles
- navy’s first littoral combat ship arriving
- without anti-ship missiles meant to give it offensive teeth
- Published: 15 Jul 2026
- warship fully equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and electronic warfare
- except a way to sink an enemy ship
- After nearly decade of delays, financial scandal, shipyard mismanagement
- first littoral combat ship finally due in December
- But it will arrive missing any anti-ship missiles
- Norway decision to revoke export licence for Naval Strike Missile
- the ship itself sails ahead regardless
- vessel would still carry anti-submarine, anti-air and electronic warfare systems
- ship will not carry, for now, a way to strike enemy ships
- the capability that was meant to define the class.
- missing missile system left “gaping hole in conventional naval deterrence”.
- Turkey and South Korea potential missile suppliers
- More than 60% of naval fleet over 40 years old
- driving up maintenance costs and straining operations
- search for replacement surface-to-surface missile system will be crucial
- vessel can still handle surveillance, disaster relief, search-and-rescue
- Maritim Malaysia (coastguard) already does that
- navy never meant to double as coastguard
- replacement surface-to-surface missile system will be crucial
- A troubled history
- five Maharaja Lela-class LCS costing roughly RM10.2B or RM2.04B each
- Built to the French Naval Group’s Gowind-class design
- due for delivery in stages through 2029 (originally due in 2019)
- mismanagement at the debt-laden Shipyard caused delays
- Public sentiment soured against programme in scandal’s wake
newest warships capable escorts with no sting
MY COMMENTS:
- five Maharaja Lela-class LCS costing roughly RM10.2B or RM2.04B each
This worked out to roughly RM1.52 billion per ship on average.
By 2022, gomen already paid RM6.08 billion, but no ships delivered.
A budget of RM16.28 billion (about US$3.8–3.9 billion, depending on exchange rates) is large enough to buy a substantial naval force. The exact number depends on weapons, sensors, logistics, training, and local construction, but here are four realistic examples:
Option. Approximate purchase within RM16.28 billion.
1. Modern frigates. 3 FREMM-class frigates. Large 6,700-ton multi-role ships with anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship capabilities. Individual ships have sold for roughly US$1–1.3 billion depending on configuration.
2. Modern submarines. 3 Scorpène-class submarines. Similar family to Malaysia's existing submarines. Modern export prices are roughly US$1–1.3 billion each with weapons and support.
3. Japanese Mogami-class frigates. 6–7 Mogami-class frigates. Japan's latest stealth frigate is designed to be relatively affordable compared with larger Western frigates. (Pictured here).
4. Mixed fleet. 2 submarines + 2 modern frigates A balanced force providing underwater deterrence plus surface combat capability. This would fit broadly within a US$3.8–3.9 billion budget depending on weapons and support packages.
MY COMMENTS: Why pay less when you can pay more?
